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By Stephen G. Fellajuah Monrovia, Liberia; October 28, 2025 - Former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Amin Modad, has expressed alarm over what he calls the declining pursuit of college education among Liberians, warning that the nation’s growing disinterest in higher learning could weaken the country’s investment and business sectors. In a post shared on his official Facebook page, the former minister expressed concern over lack of trained Liberians in key professional areas, particularly in the hospitality industry. He wrote, "So, you cannot find trained Hotel Managers and Chefs in Liberia? With such a promising tourism sector, why are Liberians not pursuing college degrees or seeking scholarships in hospitality? Hotels are compelled to ‘import’ such skills.” Modad, a sector stakeholder, emphasized that building a strong, competitive workforce requires more Liberians to pursue higher education and vocational training aligned with the country’s economic goals. Recently, Mr. Modad also called on the Indian diaspora in Liberia to establish India–Liberia Business Councils and Investment Platforms to connect entrepreneurs, share market insights, and promote trade missions between the two nations. "I urge the Indian diaspora in Liberia to form India–Liberia Business Councils and Investment Platforms, structures that connect entrepreneurs, share market information, and promote trade missions. Through these linkages, they can turn goodwill into real business ventures that create lasting impact,” he said. He further underscored the importance of collaboration between the government, entrepreneurs, and investors to drive sustainable growth. "Long-term development will not be driven by the government alone. It will be built by partnerships, by entrepreneurs, and by visionary collaboration like the one we celebrate today.” Highlighting trade relations, Modad noted that Liberia continues to import a variety of finished and semi-finished goods from India, while mainly exporting raw materials, including vegetable oils, metal scrap, natural rubber, and timber. He encouraged Indian investors to explore local processing opportunities in Liberia: "With the new disposition of President Boakai’s administration, India is encouraged to open processing facilities here, for these raw materials in partnership with Liberian entrepreneurs. These complementary strengths make partnership not only natural but necessary.” He identified key sectors for collaboration, including agriculture and agro-processing, mining, ICT, healthcare, education, and energy, citing Liberia’s untapped potential and India’s advanced technical expertise. “We have a young, rapidly growing population eager for digital solutions and an underserved ICT market with growing infrastructure. India is a world leader in IT services, software development, and digital innovation.” In healthcare, he added, there is high demand for quality healthcare and affordable pharmaceuticals. The government is focused on rebuilding Liberia's healthcare system post-Ebola. India is a global leader in affordable generic drugs and medicines. You have strong medical training, telemedicine, and healthcare delivery models that we can benefit from.” Modad lauded the Indian diaspora for serving as a vital bridge between the two nations, describing them as “partners in progress” who have consistently supported Liberia’s economic growth. “This forum is more than a meeting. It is a celebration of friendship and a call to action, to strengthen a relationship that has stood the test of time and to shape a new era of shared prosperity between Liberia and India”, he explained. He urged both nations to elevate their relationship into a strategic economic partnership that promotes innovation, job creation, and inclusive growth. “Let us move forward from mere cooperation to co-creation, from partnership to progress, from goodwill to growth. Together, we can, and we must, write a new chapter in the India–Liberia partnership, a chapter defined by opportunities, by value creation, and by mutual success”, he explained. Reflecting on global shifts, Modad emphasized that Liberia must rethink its foreign policy and development agenda in an increasingly multipolar world. The global economy, he notes, is changing rapidly. Least Developed Countries like Liberia, which are dependent on aid, need to rethink their foreign policy and development agenda, stressing, “It’s high time that Liberia forges mutually beneficial and productive relationships based on our comparative advantages and development imperatives.” Mr. Modad made these remarks during a high-level seminar hosted by the Embassy of India in Monrovia on October 23, under the theme: “India–Liberia: Indian Diaspora’s Role in Trade, Investment, and Development.” The event brought together government officials, business leaders, academics, and members of the Indian community, all committed to strengthening the partnership between the two nations. Editing by Jonathan Browne
