
03/07/2025
IAEA Director General Makes Historic Visit to Liberia, Announces Support for Health and Development
By: P. Vangerline Kpotoe
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – July 3, 2025 — In a historic first, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, has arrived in Liberia to strengthen cooperation in peaceful nuclear applications. This visit marks the first time an IAEA chief has officially visited the country since Liberia joined the agency in 1962.
Speaking during an interview, Director General Grossi expressed delight at being in Liberia and emphasized the significance of the visit. “This is long overdue,” he said, “but I’m happy to be here. We’re going to be working on a number of critical areas—mainly cancer treatment, nuclear medicine, agriculture, and water resource management.”
Grossi outlined the IAEA’s commitment to advancing development in Liberia through peaceful nuclear technology. Unlike nuclear energy, which involves power generation, the focus of this visit is on nuclear applications that improve health and agriculture.
One of the key initiatives is the establishment of a new radiotherapy unit at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. The IAEA will support the project with advanced medical equipment and professional training for Liberian healthcare workers. “The impact of cancer in Liberia is quite high,” Grossi noted. “We want to improve that by making technology available and empowering Liberian professionals to better serve their communities.”
The Director General also hinted at the potential for Liberia to explore nuclear energy solutions in the future. “Nuclear energy is clean and should not be reserved for a handful of countries,” he said. “We’re seeing growing interest across Africa—in Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and others. Why not Liberia as well?”
During his visit, Grossi is expected to meet with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Energy, and other key officials to discuss ongoing and future IAEA-supported projects.
This landmark visit signals a renewed partnership between Liberia and the IAEA, with promising prospects for the country’s healthcare system, agricultural productivity, and possibly, long-term energy development.
By P. Vangerline KpotoeMONROVIA, LIBERIA – July 3, 2025 — In a historic first, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael ...