VP Koung Warns Foreign Businesses: “We Will Revoke Work Permits” as Government Begins Major Liberianization Crackdown

Capitol Hill, Liberia: Vice President of Liberia, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, has issued one of the strongest warnings yet to foreign manufacturers and business operators, declaring that the government is fully prepared to revoke resident and work permits to protect economic opportunities for Liberians.

Speaking during a high-level engagement with manufacturers and distributors currently underway in Monrovia, the Vice President drew a hard line on the enforcement of Liberia’s Liberianization Policy and the National Investment Act.

“The government will not hesitate to revoke resident and work permits to give Liberians the space they deserve in their own country,” Koung declared.

The meeting, convened under the Presidential Committee on Price & Economic Contradiction, signals what many observers describe as a major policy shift from negotiation to aggressive enforcement, as the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai moves to tighten control over sectors reserved for Liberian participation.

In a direct and uncompromising tone, Vice President Koung warned manufacturers and foreign business operators not to mistake the government’s calm approach for weakness.

“The market is getting very bad and the President is serious about this. We will go all out,” he said.

The Vice President further warned that companies violating Liberian-only distribution regulations would face serious consequences.

“If you break the law, we will come after you,” Koung stated bluntly.

Government officials say the continued dominance of foreign-owned distribution networks and the widespread use of alleged “fronting” arrangements have prevented Liberians from benefiting from sectors legally reserved for citizens, worsening unemployment and economic frustration across the country.

Today’s meeting focused on the immediate implementation of a national Liberian distributorship framework intended to transition supply and distribution channels into Liberian hands. Discussions also centered on eliminating fronting schemes, strengthening local ownership, setting compliance deadlines, and enforcing penalties against violators.

Among the major manufacturers present were representatives from Monrovia Brewery Company, NICOM Distilleries, Liberty Investments, and RITCO Distillery. Leading Liberian distributors also attended the meeting, including representatives from Jungle Water, Exodus, Bill Delamou Trading, and Taro & Sons Enterprise.

Also participating in the session were Cooper Kruah, Senators Francis Dopoh and Augustine Chea, along with Immigration Commissioner-General Elijah Rufus and other senior government officials.

The government’s latest posture is expected to spark intense national debate, particularly within Liberia’s business community, where concerns over foreign dominance, unemployment, and local economic empowerment have remained longstanding political issues.

Today’s engagement marks one of the clearest signals yet that the Boakai administration intends to aggressively enforce Liberianization laws, with authorities now making it clear that compliance is no longer optional.