Local rubber farmers in Liberia have expressed strong opposition to Executive Order 166, signed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on June 26, 2026. The order, which restricts the exportation of raw rubber, has been criticized by farmers who claim it will cripple their businesses and lead to significant job losses. Charles Bamakpeh, CEO of Meawon Liberia Incorporated, is one of the leading voices against the order, stating that it will have a devastating impact on local farmers and businesses.
According to Bamakpeh, the order has already led to a significant decline in the local rubber industry. Warehouses across the country are overflowing with unsold rubber, and long-standing export contracts have been terminated. Thousands of smallholder farmers are now forced to sell at rock-bottom prices just to survive. Bamakpeh claims that Meawon Liberia Inc. and other Liberian-owned companies have been completely cut off from international trade agreements, leading to job losses and economic hardship for farming families.
Bamakpeh argues that Executive Order 151, which allowed the export of unprocessed rubber upon payment of US$150 per metric ton, was a better option for the local economy. He claims that this system kept local businesses alive while generating revenue for the government. In contrast, Executive Order 166 is seen as a protectionist measure that favors foreign concession companies and paves the way for a foreign monopoly over Liberia's rubber sector.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah has defended the order, telling lawmakers that it is the best way forward for the industry. However, Bamakpeh and other farmers see this as a betrayal of trust, with the minister siding with foreign interests rather than prioritizing the business interests of local farmers. They are calling for the president to repeal the order and dismiss Minister Nuetah.
The ban was imposed without a grace period, despite the Ministry of Agriculture being aware that local exporters were holding huge stocks. Bamakpeh claims that Minister Nuetah has been confrontational with farmers in the field, rather than addressing their welfare. He also alleges that the minister is seeking foreign investors at the United Nations General Assembly while suppressing Liberian businesses at home.
Bamakpeh and other farmers are urging the administration to repeal Executive Order 166 and dismiss Minister Nuetah without delay. They believe that the minister's actions are detrimental to Liberia's rubber industry and that a new minister should be appointed who prioritizes the business interests of local farmers.
The controversy surrounding Executive Order 166 highlights the challenges facing Liberia's agricultural sector. The sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, and any policies that affect it have a major impact on the livelihoods of thousands of Liberians. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the concerns of local farmers and businesses.
Key points
- Local rubber farmers in Liberia criticize Executive Order 166, calling it a "death sentence" for their businesses.
- The order has led to a significant decline in the local rubber industry, with warehouses overflowing with unsold rubber and thousands of smallholder farmers forced to sell at rock-bottom prices.
- Farmers are calling for the president to repeal the order and dismiss Agriculture Minister Dr. Alexander Nuetah, who they claim is prioritizing foreign interests over local businesses.
