LiSA Unveils State-Of-The-Art Laboratories To Boost Food Safety, Trade Ambitions

The Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA) has commissioned its newly refurbished and modernized laboratories, marking a major milestone in strengthening the country’s food safety systems and national quality infrastructure.

The commissioning ceremony, attended by President Joseph N. Boakai, senior cabinet officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners and private sector representatives, underscores Liberia’s push to enhance regulatory oversight and improve competitiveness in regional and global markets.

Speaking Thursday, February 19, 2026, on behalf of the Director General of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Providence Mavubi described the upgraded laboratory as far more than a renovated structure.

“We celebrate a strategic investment in governance, public health and economic transformation. A strong national standards and quality infrastructure is the silent backbone of modern economies. It protects consumers, underpins food safety, opens doors to new markets and builds confidence among investors and trading partners,” she said.

According to him, the modernization was carried out under the Liberia Food Safety Initiative with funding support from the European Union.

Madam Mavubi narrate that the project upgraded laboratory fittings, restored critical infrastructure, installed reliable water and hybrid power systems, and established a modern training center to align operations with international standards.

For her part, UN Resident Coordinator Christine N. Umutoni emphasized that food safety goes beyond public health and is integral to economic development.

Madam Umutoni explained, “Reliable testing, inspection and certification systems protect consumers, strengthen trust in markets and enable Liberian producers to compete at regional and international levels, adding that the facility aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda, particularly in agriculture transformation and private sector development.

Speaking, European Union Ambassador Nona Deprez described the refurbished laboratory as a milestone that positions Liberia prominently ahead of the upcoming Liberia–EU Business Forum in Brussels.

She said, “Food safety is recognized worldwide as a human right, referencing recent concerns surrounding frozen food imports. “This laboratory is foundational for reliable standardization, conformity assessment and metrology systems, cornerstones for sustainable partnerships and trade.”

Also, Minister of Commerce and Industry Magdalene Dagoseh said integrating LiSA within the ministry’s institutional framework strengthens regulatory capacity and enhances transparency in trade and industry.

“In every marketplace, in every product manufactured or imported, standards matter. Strong standards are not barriers; they are bridges. They connect our local producers to regional and international markets and signal to investors that Liberia is serious about quality, accountability and competitiveness,” she stated.

The upgraded laboratories are expected to play a central role in ensuring that key Liberian value chains, including rice, fish, cassava, cocoa and coffee, meet international safety and quality benchmarks. Officials say the development will reduce technical barriers to trade, boost exports and protect consumers from unsafe products.

The commissioning builds on more than two decades of cooperation between UNIDO and Liberia in private sector development, agro-industrial value chains and technical education. Development partners stressed that while the milestone is significant, maintaining accreditation, building technical capacity and ensuring operational sustainability will be critical to achieving long-term impact.

As Liberia seeks to attract greater foreign investment and expand its export footprint, stakeholders say the strengthened Standards Authority sends a clear signal that the country is investing in credible institutions, safer food systems and a rules-based economy designed to unlock sustainable growth.