The Mainland Group of Companies, a leading Chinese agro-industrial conglomerate, has officially kicked off its $100 million investment in Liberia’s agriculture sector, marking a major milestone in the nation’s efforts to boost food security and create jobs.
A seven-man delegation from the company has arrived in Liberia on a site visit to commence construction of two major processing facilities — a rice factory and a cassava factory — in Fuamah District, Bong County. Both plants are expected to begin operations as early as September/October 2025.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture in August, Mainland Group’s CEO Zhu Chen outlined the company’s ambitious plans to transform Liberia’s agro-processing landscape. These include:
Establishing a sugar refinery supported by large-scale sugarcane plantations
Constructing warehouses and logistics hubs near major ports
Partnering in shipping lines to streamline exports and imports
“These projects are designed to engage more than 150,000 farmers over the next five years, raise farmers’ incomes by 20–30%, and significantly reduce Liberia’s dependence on imported food,” Zhu Chen emphasized.
Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah welcomed the initiative, noting that Liberia has long struggled with an “off-take” problem — farmers often produce crops but lack nearby facilities to process or store them.
“This investment is a game changer,” Dr. Nuetah said. “By bringing processing closer to our farmers, we are ensuring that their hard work translates into market-ready products and sustainable livelihoods.”
A Track Record Across Africa
The Mainland Group is no stranger to large-scale agro-investments. In Côte d’Ivoire alone, the company operates five rubber factories with a combined annual production of 450,000 tons. Its portfolio also includes agro-industrial projects in Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, and Mozambique.
By expanding into Liberia, the group aims to replicate its success in other African markets while supporting the Liberian government’s priority of agricultural self-sufficiency.
Boosting Jobs, Food Security, and Market Expansion
The planned projects are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, expand domestic and export markets, and empower smallholder farmers with access to reliable buyers and processors.
“This is not just about factories; it is about building value chains that will transform rural communities and strengthen Liberia’s food security,” Minister Nuetah affirmed.
With construction work now underway, the Mainland Group’s entry into Liberia is being hailed as one of the most significant foreign direct investments in the country’s agriculture sector in recent years.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Ministry of Agriculture and Montserrado Media as this landmark project unfolds.
