Liberia Broadcasting System - LBS

02/10/2025

The start of the academic year often comes swiftly, bringing both joy and challenges for educators, students, school leaders, and guardians.

This year, however, seems to signify a positive change, as the government is implementing significant improvements in schools.

One of the key initiatives is the "Street Child Program," launched by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. This program aims to bring street children into classrooms to increase school enrollment.

The Paynesville Community School in Joe Bar, Paynesville, is one organization actively participating in the "Street Child Program." This initiative not only focuses on providing education to street children but also prioritizes their well-being by offering consistent school meals, which are intended to improve their retention in studies.

The Ministry of Gender leads the "Street Child Program," while the school feeding initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and the World Food Program.

Our reporter, Damawa Fofana, visited the Paynesville Community School for further details and now reports.

By: Damawa Fofana

02/10/2025

Demolition by the Ministry of Public Works will facilitate the pavement of the Urban road and expansion of the Japan Freeway.

09/09/2025

From Data to Action: Africa Trade Observatory (ATO) Empowers SMEs at IATF2025

Algiers, Algeria - 9, September 2025
By: Anthony Williams

With 8 days already gone, Africa’s largest trade fair the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) continues to draw international attention to the continent’s economic future.

With efforts to promote digital trade, the Africa Trade Observatory (ATO) has emerged as one of the fair’s defining highlights. Under the theme “From Data to Action,” the ATO’s live presentation showcased how data-driven trade intelligence is reshaping policy and business decisions across Africa.

The platform, which is currently operational in 34 countries, is tailored to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the recognized backbone of Africa’s intra-regional trade overcome persistent barriers to market access, continuity, and growth.

“Only 1 in 4 small firms that export in their first year continue beyond it,” a presenter noted, emphasizing the need for robust trade support systems like the ATO.

What Is the Africa Trade Observatory?

Hosted at www.ato.africa, the ATO is a flagship initiative under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in partnership with the African Union Commission. It provides free, real-time trade intelligence tools designed to:

- Democratize access to market data
- Support better export decisions
- Strengthen regional trade policy formulation

The Three Core Modules of ATO

Explore Module
Enables users to search trade flows by product, country, and year. SMEs can explore where their goods are in demand, analyze historical trade volumes, and identify new markets.

Compare Module
Lets businesses compare market opportunities across African countries factoring in tariffs, demand, and existing trade volumes to make more strategic export decisions.

Monitor Module
Offers governments and institutions real-time analytics on intra-African trade, tracking regional integration and helping assess the effectiveness of AfCFTA policies.

Why This Matters for Traders at IATF2025
With many SMEs in attendance, the ATO platform offers an accessible, data-rich solution for understanding where and how to trade more effectively:

First-time exporters can use the Explore module to assess market potential.

Experienced traders can use the Compare tool to refine their export strategies.

Business support organizations (BSOs) can help clients build data-backed expansion plans.

Governments can monitor trade trends and design more inclusive trade policies.

By placing this platform in the spotlight, IATF2025 reinforces its commitment to empowering African businesses through transparency, digital tools, and informed decision-making.

Leveling the Playing Field
For many small businesses, access to premium trade intelligence has long been unaffordable. The ATO levels the field by offering free, easy-to-use insights, enabling SMEs to compete regionally and sustainably.
The message at IATF2025 is clear: Africa’s trade future is digital, inclusive, and powered by data.

The Africa Trade Observatory is making that future possible.

08/09/2025

“Africa Must Not Outsource Its Development”: H.E. Obasanjo’s Rallying Call at IATF 2025 in Algeria

By: Anthony Williams

Algiers, Algeria – During a powerful and candid fireside chat at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and Chair of the IATF Advisory Council, delivered a rallying cry for economic self-reliance, regional integration, and bold leadership across the African continent.

Moderated by CNBC Africa’s Fifi Peters, the session was a deep dive into Africa’s trade future, the need to rethink global economic structures, and the pivotal role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

"The World Bank Was Not Created for Us"

Obasanjo was unflinching in his critique of global financial institutions, urging African nations to rethink their reliance on structures that do not serve the continent’s interests.

“The World Bank was not created for us. The IMF was not created for us. When we realize that, we’ll begin to understand how to approach these global economic issues that obviously don’t favour us,” he said.

Citing the chronic devaluation of African currencies, he challenged leaders to confront structural weaknesses in their economies.

“In 46 years, what have we done that our currencies are still so devalued? Something is wrong,” he added.

Time for an Intra-African Economic Reset

A central theme of his remarks was the urgent need to deepen intra-African trade and strengthen continental institutions, including the AfCFTA.

“If we’re trading amongst ourselves, our banks should not be telling us we need dollars or euros,” he said. “Why should the dollar make our currencies worthless?”

Obasanjo stressed that true independence requires building systems that work for Africa, rather than copying frameworks from outside.

“We need to do the things that will make us no longer dependent on institutions that were not made for us.”

Africa Can And Must Build Its Own Future

Reflecting on the progress of the IATF, Obasanjo praised the efforts of host country Algeria.

“In just eight years, we’ve had four editions of IATF, and each one has moved to a higher level. The President of Algeria promised to make this year’s edition the best, and yes, he delivered – in the interest of Africa.”

Highlighting the unprecedented presence of four Caribbean Prime Ministers at this year’s edition, he added:

“This has never happened before. Let’s build on every little negative and the positives too. Take note of what goes wrong, fix it, and move forward.”

“Slave Trade Was Bad for Us. Globalization Was Bad for Us. AfCFTA Is Good for Us.”

Obasanjo made a clear distinction between external systems that have historically hurt Africa and the promise of home-grown initiatives like the AfCFTA.

“Slave trade was bad for us. Globalization was bad for us. But coming together to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area is good for us,” he declared. “Talking about African globalization that’s good for us.”

He emphasized that while Africa is rich in diversity, it must integrate economically to thrive.

“We have to understand the world we live in – take what is good for us, and leave what is not. There’s a lot in the world that is not good for us.”

The Practical Barriers: Visas and Borders

Obasanjo did not shy away from practical bottlenecks to trade and movement within Africa.

“Algeria approved over 10,000 visas upon arrival for IATF. So what stops any of our countries from saying, for business, you’ll get a 10-day visa on arrival? That would change a lot,” he said.

Sharing a personal anecdote, he recalled how he was unable to attend a program in another African country due to visa issues.

“They said it was for security. But Algeria didn’t use security as an excuse for IATF. If someone is coming to do business, why should they spend over a month running after a visa?”

Coastal Trade, Local Currencies, and Payments Systems

Obasanjo advocated for enhancing coastal shipping routes, simplifying currency exchange, and raising awareness of African payment systems.

“Why should I look for dollars to buy something in Algeria when the supplier is accepting local currency?” he asked. “We need to expand intra-African trade. Just the little things like discovering I could export noodles to Angola can open up major opportunities.”

He stressed that integration isn’t only about policy, but also about practical implementation.

“We have to raise awareness of our payment systems. We have to understand the importance of moving together.”

A Measurable Goal: Own Your Development

To close the discussion, Obasanjo was asked to define one actionable goal for African trade and economic growth.

His response was both philosophical and practical:

“From a day-old baby to the eldest, we must understand that we cannot outsource our development. Our development should be our business.”

He painted a picture of Africa’s untapped potential:

“If someone in Algeria is interested in investing in Africa, he would be a billionaire and probably have more than one wife – and it would help solve social issues,” he said, prompting laughter from the audience.

“But if we give what belongs to us to outsiders, we become enemies of ourselves.”

In his final Message: He said "Don't Outsource Africa’s Future"

In his parting words, Obasanjo left no room for doubt:

07/09/2025

“Why Fly to Europe First?” AfCFTA Boss Urges Open Skies as Barrier to African Trade Persists

Algiers, Algeria
By: Anthony Williams

As thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers converge at IATF2025, a recurring obstacle looms over the dreams of seamless intra-African trade: the inability to move efficiently across the continent. Addressing this head-on, H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has renewed calls for the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)—a flagship initiative aimed at liberalizing air travel across African states.

Speaking during a panel session at the trade fair, Mene criticized the current inefficiencies that force African delegates to transit through Europe just to attend events on the continent. “It should not take longer or cost more to fly from Accra to Algiers than from Accra to London,” he said, pointing out that limited air connectivity remains a serious bottleneck to trade, logistics, and investment particularly for African SMEs who cannot afford such inefficiencies.

The Secretary-General emphasized that trade integration cannot succeed without physical integration, highlighting how the fragmentation of air transport adds unnecessary costs to business operations, slows cargo movement, and limits the benefits of the AfCFTA. “You cannot talk about free trade in Africa when our skies are still closed,” he said.

While praising the IATF as a dynamic marketplace where real business deals are taking place over US $44 billion in investment commitments expected Mene insisted that unlocking Africa’s full trade potential will require political will beyond policy documents. He urged African governments to fully operationalize SAATM, which was launched in 2018 but has seen slow adoption due to concerns from national carriers and lack of harmonized aviation frameworks.

For the business leaders and startups exhibiting at IATF2025, Mene’s message was clear: opening Africa’s skies is not just an aviation issue it’s an economic imperative. In an era where time and efficiency define competitiveness, the AfCFTA Secretariat is calling for grounded action to ensure that Africa’s entrepreneurs are not left grounded themselves.

07/09/2025

Liberian Entrepreneur at IATF2025 Champions the AfCFTA, Urges Easier Access for African Startups

Algiers, Algeria
By:Anthony Williams

In the corridors of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025), where deals worth billions are being shaped and sealed, the voice of a Liberian entrepreneur is standing out not just for his bold startup vision, but for his powerful call to action for Africa's future in trade.

Christopher O. Fallah, founder and CEO of Annita, a pan-African digital platform integrating e-commerce, logistics, and essential services into a unified ecosystem, is championing a message that resonates deeply with many African entrepreneurs: trade within Africa must be simplified for Africans.

Amidst over $40 billion in potential investment capital circulating at the trade fair, Fallah has been relentless in attending panel discussions, particularly those centered around the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Africa’s most ambitious trade initiative aimed at creating a single market for goods and services across 54 countries.

“I believe doing business in Africa should be easy for Africans,” Fallah said during a side conversation after a panel on AfCFTA. “We’re not crossing continents. We’re operating on our own soil. This shouldn't be something we have to break a sweat over.”

For Fallah, who is at IATF2025 not just as an exhibitor but also a panelist and ambassador for Liberia’s entrepreneurial spirit, the AfCFTA holds immense promise. It could mean seamless trade routes, unified regulations, reduced tariffs, and accelerated growth for startups like Annita that are built on continental integration.

But, he argues, the framework still poses challenges that need to be addressed especially for entrepreneurs from smaller economies like Liberia, where GDP and population size can often be seen as deterrents by investors.

“Yes, Liberia is a small market, and that makes funding hard to come by. But if you secure that one funding, you open the door not just for yourself, but for an entire ecosystem,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. Not just for me, but for Liberia.”

During an AfCFTA panel, Fallah posed a critical question that highlighted both the curiosity and confusion surrounding the agreement: “If someone came across the AfCFTA today, what would they know about associated costs, and what steps are necessary to be fully embedded in the framework?”

His point was simple but striking entrepreneurs need clarity, transparency, and practical tools to take advantage of this landmark trade agreement. Without that, AfCFTA risks becoming a great idea with limited grassroots implementation.

Through Annita, Fallah is building a model of what AfCFTA could look like in action a borderless digital platform where small businesses and individuals can access services traditionally spread across multiple providers, at no extra cost.

His strategy at IATF2025 is to forge partnerships and networks with venture capitalists, policymakers, and business leaders from Algeria and beyond. These connections, he hopes, will lead to investment, collaboration, and long-term results that will ripple far beyond the trade fair.

“Being here means something is shifting,” Fallah said. “Liberian entrepreneurs have a greater destiny ahead. We’re starting the journey now by creating these networks, and soon others will walk this same path easier.”

Fallah’s presence and perspective at IATF2025 underscore a critical moment for the AfCFTA: the need to move from policy to practicality. Entrepreneurs are ready. The infrastructure is developing. The investment is available.

What’s needed now is a more inclusive and accessible framework, one that speaks directly to the hustlers, innovators, and digital pioneers like Fallah who are already building Africa’s future.

“AfCFTA must not become a policy that lives only in government halls,” he said. “It has to be something every entrepreneur can feel, use, and benefit from whether you're in Monrovia, Algiers, or elsewhere.

04/09/2025

BREAKING NEWS!!!
West Africa to Receive Huge Economic Boost as Nigeria announced host of next Intra-African Trade Fair 2027

Algiers, September 4, 2025
By: Anthony Williams

At the official opening ceremony of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) currently taking place in Algeria, Nigeria was officially announced the host country for the IATF 2027 to be held in Lagos.

Upon delivering his official welcome statement at what can now be considered Africa’s largest Trade Fair, the pronouncement was made directly to former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who also serves as the IATF Advisory Council Chair, underscoring Nigeria’s pivotal role in driving Africa’s trade and economic integration agenda.

Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest economy, home to one of the continent’s biggest oil refineries owned by business titan Aliko Dangote, and host of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters, makes it a natural choice to lead the next edition of this influential trade fair.

With over 35,000 delegates and 2,000 exhibitors from 140 countries gathering in Algiers to unlock trade deals estimated at US $44 billion, Nigeria’s selection to host IATF2027 promises to further boost intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

“This announcement to Chief Obasanjo, a key figure in African diplomacy and trade, is a testament to Nigeria’s giant status on the continent,”

“Lagos is poised to be the centre of gravity for the next chapter of Africa’s economic transformation.”

The Lagos edition is expected to capitalize on Nigeria’s large domestic market, growing industrial sector, and strategic position within West Africa, accelerating efforts to expand value addition, manufacturing, and regional integration.

As the current fair unfolds in Algeria with participation from global leaders and top business minds, all eyes will now turn to Nigeria to prepare for what promises to be an even bigger and more impactful IATF in 2027

By: Anthony Williams Journalist

25/03/2025

05/03/2025

**In Pictures!**

The Second Lady of Liberia, Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn-Koung Conference on the Status of Women with Disabilities in Liberia.

This important event gathered women with disabilities, policymakers, civil society organizations, and key stakeholders to collaboratively address the challenges faced by this community in Liberia.

The conference emphasized critical areas such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, accessibility, inclusion, and the prevention of domestic violence and abuse. It served as a valuable platform for women with disabilities to share their personal experiences, express their concerns, and engage constructively with government agencies and other relevant institutions.

Held at the Basketball Gymnasium in the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville City, the event fostered dialogue and encouraged actionable solutions to enhance the lives of women with disabilities in Liberia.

🎥 Damawa Fofana-LNTV

22/01/2025

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