$1.8B Deal Signed Without Public Input Gov’t Under Fire

Monrovia, Liberia: Liberians are expressing outrage and confusion after it was revealed that the biggest concession agreement in recent national history a staggering $1.8 billion mining and infrastructure deal was not announced by the Government of Liberia, but instead by the United States Embassy.

The deal, signed between the Government of Liberia and Ivanhoe Liberia Ltd. (formerly HPX), was disclosed in a press release by the U.S. Embassy days after its signing.

As of today, no official word or detailed explanation has come from President Boakai’s administration. The signing reportedly occurred on Sunday night, July 6, just before President Boakai departed for high-level talks in Washington.

This lack of transparency has sparked a wave of criticism from civil society organizations, who are calling the agreement secretive, rushed, and undemocratic.

“Why was the Government silent on such a historic deal? Why did it take a foreign embassy to inform the Liberian people?”

The full breakdown of the $1.8 billion figure remains unknown. The Ivanhoe statement only mentions $10 million and $15 million in staged payments—so where is the rest? Is it future capital spending? Mineral estimates? Infrastructure projections? Or is this simply political window dressing?

Civil society is demanding answers:

• What is the true value of this deal to Liberia?

• Is there any upfront payment? Is it non-refundable?

• Why was this deal signed on a Sunday night?

• Is it linked to President Boakai’s U.S. visit and possible diplomatic negotiations?

Rail to Guinea: Liberia Last in Line Again?

One of the most explosive aspects of the deal is the 30 million tons per annum (mtpa) rail capacity reportedly granted for the transport of Guinean iron ore through Liberia. Critics are asking:

• How does this align with Guinea’s original 5 mtpa request in 2019?

• Has a rail capacity study been done to justify this expansion?

• Will this crowd out Liberian iron ore producers, especially smaller domestic companies still trying to enter the market?

If all available capacity is handed to one foreign operator, what happens to Liberia’s own miners?

A 25-Year Deal Without Public Input

Equally alarming is the 25-year term of the agreement—affecting Liberia’s rail, port, job creation, and community development plans for generations. Yet:

• No public consultation was held.

• No environmental or economic impact studies were shared.

• No press conference. No transparency.

Civil Society Demands Immediate Disclosure

In a rare show of unified resistance, several groups including the Center for Public Accountability (CPA), Liberia Civil Rights Network (LCRN), and Partnership for Equitable Resource Governance (PERG)—have issued a joint statement calling for:

1. Full disclosure of the Ivanhoe agreement to the public.

2. An urgent press conference from the Ministry of Finance and National Investment Commission.

3. A halt to all ratification processes until the agreement has been made public and reviewed.

“Liberia cannot afford to return to an era of midnight signatures and backroom deals that mortgage our future. The people are the shareholders of this land. We deserve to know what has been done in our name.”