To Boost Textile Industry, Job Creation Liberia, Burkina Faso Strengthen Ties

In a major step towards strengthening Liberia’s economy and creating employment opportunities, Foreign Minister H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti has opened new doors of cooperation with Burkina Faso.

This initiative focuses on enhancing Liberia’s textile industry, promoting cotton farming, and generating jobs for Liberian youth and women.

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Minister Nyanti received a high-level delegation from Burkina Faso, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two West African nations.

The visit follows Minister Nyanti’s earlier engagement with Burkinabé authorities, where she personally invited key stakeholders to explore investment opportunities in Liberia’s growing textile sector.

The discussions centered around leveraging Burkina Faso’s expertise in cotton production and textile manufacturing to revitalize Liberia’s textile industry, which has been underdeveloped for years.

With an increasing demand for locally produced fabrics and clothing, this partnership is expected to reduce reliance on imported textiles and empower local cotton farmers.

Minister Nyanti’s diplomatic efforts align with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s vision of fostering African-to-African investments and regional economic collaborations.

Her visit to Burkina Faso paved the way for this delegation’s arrival, signaling Liberia’s commitment to expanding its industrial base beyond traditional sectors.

It can be recalled that Minister Nyanti made a direct appeal to Burkinabé leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, advocating for increased South-South cooperation and deeper economic ties between African nations. This approach aligns with the broader African Union (AU) agenda of self-reliance, industrialization, and intra-Africa trade.

Beyond governmental engagement, Liberia’s Presidential Special Envoys on Investment and Tourism, Ambassador Mohammed Bah and Ambassador Christopher Onanuga, have actively pursued private sector partnerships, encouraging Burkinabé businesses to invest in Liberia.

Their engagements with investors are expected to spur new business ventures in textiles, agriculture, and tourism.

The collaboration comes at a time when Liberia is pushing for diversification in its economy, reducing dependency on imported goods and strengthening its manufacturing sector.

Liberia’s fertile land and favorable climate provide an excellent opportunity for scaling up cotton production, which could serve as a foundation for a thriving textile industry.

For years, Burkina Faso has been one of Africa’s top cotton-producing nations, with an advanced textile manufacturing sector that supplies both local and international markets.

Through knowledge-sharing and investment, Liberia aims to tap into this expertise to build a competitive textile industry.

The textile sector, if fully developed, has the potential to create thousands of jobs for young Liberians and empower women entrepreneurs involved in fashion, tailoring, and fabric production.

This initiative is expected to boost Liberia’s creative industry, promote cultural heritage, and expand economic opportunities for artisans.

Liberian business leaders and industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, emphasizing that local textile production will not only create jobs but also provide affordable, high-quality fabrics for domestic use and export.

They believe that increased investment in manufacturing and agro-processing is critical to reducing unemployment and achieving sustainable economic growth.

Citizens say that Minister Nyanti’s initiative is a bold step toward realizing Liberia’s long-term economic goals, particularly in industrialization and job creation. T

he government’s proactive approach in seeking international partnerships suggests a renewed commitment to economic transformation.

Minister Nyanti has assured the public that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to seek more economic partnerships that benefit ordinary Liberians and strengthen the country’s global standing.