LIBERIA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —What is happening On Monday 26 October 2026, President Joseph Boakai broke ground on an expansion of the Monrovia fuel terminal of state-owned Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), which he put at US$35 million, adding 50,000 metric tons.
- —Why it matters Liberia depends on imported fuel, so more tank space gives the country a bigger buffer against price swings, shipping delays and supply disruptions, as the President put it.
- —The numbers As announced, the project adds 25,000 tons of gasoline, 20,000 tons of diesel and 5,000 tons of jet fuel, lifting LPRC’s share of national storage from about 25% to 50%.
- —Who is who Boakai is Liberia’s president, Amos Tweh is LPRC’s managing director, and LUTEC Engineering is the firm named as implementing partner for the construction work.
- —What to watch The funding source, the building timetable and the completion date have not been announced, so those are the next details to look for.
- —What it means for you No US company is named in the project, but Liberia, a West African country with deep ties to the United States, is also in aid talks with the US agency MCC on electricity.
Liberia has begun a US$35 million expansion of its main state fuel terminal in Monrovia. It adds 50,000 metric tons of storage for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Liberia has started a US$35 million fuel storage expansion at its main state terminal in Monrovia, the capital. President Joseph Boakai performed a symbolic groundbreaking there on Monday 26 October 2026, the Liberian Observer, a Monrovia newspaper, reported.
The expansion adds 50,000 metric tons of tank space for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. It sits at the terminal of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), the state-owned fuel importer and storage firm.
In Plain English
- LPRC: Liberia’s state-owned company that imports and stores fuel.
- Metric ton: 1,000 kilograms, or about 2,205 pounds.
- Tank farm: a group of large storage tanks at a fuel terminal.
- Back-loading: loading fuel from the terminal onto ships bound for other ports.
Inside the Fuel Storage Expansion
The ceremony took place at the LPRC Product Storage Terminal on Bushrod Island, part of Monrovia. FrontPage Africa, a Liberian news site, had announced the event for 10:00 GMT that Monday.
The event also dedicated a new 12,800-metric-ton gasoline tank and a petroleum product testing laboratory, the Observer said. FrontPage Africa describes the laboratory as a fuel quality control and compliance facility.
- Gasoline (called PMS in Liberia): 25,000 metric tons of new storage.
- Diesel (called AGO in Liberia): 20,000 metric tons of new storage.
- Jet A-1 aviation fuel: 5,000 metric tons of new storage.
Plans also include marine back-loading facilities to ship fuel to other coastal markets. The project would reclaim about 15 metres (49 feet) of land from the sea, build coastal defences and pave the tank farm.
What the Numbers Mean
The 50,000 tons of new space equals roughly 17 million US gallons of fuel, by a standard conversion at typical fuel densities. The 25,000 tons of gasoline alone is about 8.9 million US gallons, or around 13 Olympic swimming pools.
LPRC’s share of Liberia’s petroleum storage is projected to rise from about 25% when Boakai took office to about 50% on completion. That would put roughly half of the country’s tank space in state hands, with private operators holding much of the rest.
FrontPage Africa reported on 12 August 2024 that Boakai began a 17,000 cubic metre (12,800 ton) gasoline tank and a laboratory. Monday’s dedication therefore completes a project begun two years earlier.
How the Project Came About
LPRC’s leaders presented a 50,000-ton tank farm proposal to President Boakai at the Executive Mansion, the presidential offices, in June 2026. The Mansion’s own press release of 23 June 2026 lists it among the topics discussed.
The New Dawn, a Monrovia newspaper, reported on 2 July 2026 that Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah announced the approval. Piah said the facility should earn revenue through import levies and sales taxes once it operates.
At the groundbreaking, Boakai said the project would cut Liberia’s exposure to import price swings, shipping delays and supply disruptions. He also told LPRC to match its bigger role with efficiency, transparency and accountability, especially when working alongside private businesses.
Tweh, the LPRC managing director, said the project would position Liberia as a regional fuel distribution hub. The Observer said LUTEC Engineering is the implementing partner, without describing the firm or the contract.
What It Means for US Readers
This is an energy security story in a West African country with deep historical ties to the United States. No American company is named as a contractor, lender or supplier in the published reports.
On Wednesday 14 October 2026, Boakai received Kristin Gilmore, the new top US diplomat (Chargé d’Affaires) in Monrovia, the Mansion said. On Thursday 15 October it said he was briefed on compact talks with the US aid agency Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
Jet fuel is part of the plan, with 5,000 tons of new Jet A-1 storage that matters to travellers and airlines. The reports do not say when it will be ready or which airports it would serve.
What Is Not Known
The reports do not say who is paying for the US$35 million, whether through state funds, a loan or a private partner. They also give no construction timetable or completion date for the 50,000 tons.
The Observer is the only outlet located that reported the US$35 million cost and the fuel split after the ceremony. No government press release on the event had appeared as of Tuesday morning, 27 October 2026.
Nothing published explains how LUTEC Engineering was chosen or what its contract is worth. The Observer does not say whether LUTEC also built the gasoline tank begun in 2024.
What Comes Next
The next signals will be the announcement of financing and a building schedule, which the Boakai government has not yet given. A government statement or LPRC briefing would also settle the cost figure.
The groundbreaking does not mean the storage is ready, because the new tank space has yet to be built. It also does not change fuel prices at the pump, and no price effect has been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Liberia start building on 26 October 2026?
Liberia began a US$35 million expansion of the state fuel terminal in Monrovia on Monday 26 October 2026. It adds 50,000 metric tons of storage for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
What is LPRC?
The Liberia Petroleum Refining Company is Liberia’s state-owned fuel firm. It imports and stores petroleum products, and its terminal is on Bushrod Island in Monrovia.
How much fuel can the new storage hold?
The new capacity is 50,000 metric tons, split into 25,000 of gasoline, 20,000 of diesel and 5,000 of jet fuel. That is roughly 17 million US gallons by a standard conversion.
Who is paying for the project?
The reports do not say. The cost of US$35 million has been stated, but the source of the money has not been announced.
Will the expansion lower fuel prices in Liberia?
No price effect has been announced. The President said the aim is to cut exposure to import price swings and supply disruptions.
Sources: Liberian Observer, Boakai breaks ground for LPRC storage expansion, 27 October 2026; FrontPage Africa, Liberia to launch modernized petroleum testing lab and largest storage tank, 21 October 2026; The New Dawn via allAfrica, Govt approves 50,000-metric-ton fuel storage facility, 2 July 2026; Executive Mansion of Liberia, President Boakai receives LPRC management team, 23 June 2026; Executive Mansion of Liberia, new US Chargé d’Affaires received, 14 October 2026; Executive Mansion of Liberia, MCC compact talks briefing, 15 October 2026; FrontPage Africa, LPRC breaks ground for 12,800-ton gasoline tank and laboratory, 12 August 2024 (all accessed 27 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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