MONROVIA – ArcelorMittal Liberia has evidently been working very hard to prove a point: that, in the Liberian concessionaire community, it leads and others follow. One way the company proves that point is it always carries out independent self-assessments as to measure its compliance with various chapters of its concession agreement with Liberia. This time, as Wremongar B. Joe II, A Journalist & Knowledge Management Coordinator writes, there has been a detailed analysis of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Advanced Academic Scholarship Program from 2012 to 2025 which shows a strong regional and academic alignment with the company’s operations and Liberia’s technical workforce needs.
A detailed analysis of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Advanced Academic Scholarship Program from 2012 to 2025 shows a strong regional and academic alignment with the company’s operations and Liberia’s technical workforce needs. The data also reveals a persistent gender gap that stakeholders say must be addressed.
The scholarship initiative, supported under the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), has sponsored over 75 Liberian students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in Liberia and abroad. These students represent a new cadre of professionals equipped to drive growth in engineering, mining, environmental sciences, and public administration.
Regional Focus Favors Mining Counties
According to the report, the majority of scholarship recipients hail from Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa counties—ArcelorMittal’s primary concession areas. Bong led the count with 20 students, followed by Nimba with 17 and Grand Bassa with 11. These figures reflect AML’s commitment to develop talent in its operational zones.
Gender Imbalance a Concern
However, of the 77 beneficiaries analyzed, only 12 were women. “This imbalance highlights the broader issue of female underrepresentation in technical fields,” said one education policy expert. “Deliberate gender equity strategies are needed to bridge the gap.”
STEM Fields Lead the Pack
Engineering, geology, chemistry, and environmental science dominate the list of fields of study. Beneficiaries pursued advanced degrees at institutions in Kenya, China, and Ghana, with popular tracks including Civil Engineering, Applied Chemistry, and Resource Management.
A Model for Human Capital Development
The scholarship program aligns with Liberia’s goal of building a technically skilled workforce. Stakeholders suggest that future rounds prioritize both gender inclusion and emerging sectors such as digital technology and climate science.
As ArcelorMittal progresses with its Phase II expansion, which includes a state-of-the-art ore concentrator, experts believe the skills of these scholarship beneficiaries will be vital to transforming Liberia’s mining and infrastructure sectors.
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