Roots & Returns Offers Liberian Entrepreneurs Up to US$5,000, Says No Interest Will Be Charged

Paynesville, Liberia:As Liberian entrepreneurs struggle to expand their small businesses due to limited access to capital, Roots & Returns, a diaspora Liberian organization focused on improving local businesses, is introducing a funding initiative that will provide selected business owners with between US$250 and US$5,000 to support their growth.

The initiative, known as the Palava Hut Pitch, is scheduled for December 21, 2026, at the Liberian Learning Center in Paynesville. According to the organization, the program will target existing businesses and give selected entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their operations, explain their challenges and demonstrate how financial support could help them expand.

Roots & Returns says the initiative is also intended to strengthen relationships between Liberians at home and members of the diaspora who want to invest in local businesses. However, concerns about trust, accountability and unfulfilled investment promises have sometimes discouraged such partnerships, leaving entrepreneurs struggling to secure the resources needed to grow.

Under the initiative, selected business owners will receive funding without interest being added to the amount provided. The organization says there will be no interest charges, with the focus placed on trust and the recipients' seriousness about operating and growing their businesses. Beneficiaries will also be expected to maintain communication with mentors and supporters.

Lotten Yeaney, co-founder and executive producer of Roots & Returns, said the initiative is about more than giving money to business owners, stressing the importance of establishing trust between entrepreneurs and their supporters. “We want to build a community that believes in Liberian entrepreneurs and supports their success beyond simply providing money,” Yeaney said.

Yeaney said the organization hopes to bridge the trust gap between Liberians in the diaspora and those operating businesses locally. “Trust has to be earned on both sides. When we build that trust, we can create opportunities for businesses to grow, create jobs, and strengthen families and communities across Liberia,” she said.

The Palava Hut Pitch is expected to bring business owners before judges, mentors and potential supporters, providing selected entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their enterprises and growth plans. Applications are available through the Roots & Returns website at rootreturns.com/apply.