MONROVIA – A Maryland County entrepreneur and philanthropist is putting youth unemployment at the center of Liberia’s national development debate. Dorbor Bedell, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorbor Bedell Foundation and a native of Rock Town in Harper, Maryland County, is urging the Government of Liberia to adopt bold, practical measures to create sustainable employment for university graduates, vocational trainees, and young citizens. His argument spans agriculture, vocational training, entrepreneurship, digital technology, tourism, creative industries, and infrastructure local content. Bedell argues that thousands of educated young Liberians are emerging from institutions with nowhere to go, creating frustration, hopelessness, and long-term social risk. He calls on government, the private sector, and development partners to act collectively. THE ANALYST reports.
As thousands of young Liberians continue to leave universities and vocational training institutions each year in search of employment opportunities, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dorbor Bedell is raising concern over what he describes as one of Liberia’s greatest development challenges — youth unemployment.
Speaking on the growing number of educated young people struggling to secure jobs, Bedell is urging the Government of Liberia to adopt bold and practical measures aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities for university graduates, vocational trainees, and other young citizens seeking to contribute to national development.
According to Bedell, Liberia’s youthful population should be viewed as an asset rather than a burden, but only if the country creates the conditions necessary for young people to apply their knowledge, skills, and creativity in productive sectors of the economy.
“We have thousands of brilliant young people graduating every year,” Bedell noted. “The question is: where are the opportunities for them to work, innovate, and build their future? Education without opportunity creates frustration. We must bridge that gap.”
A Businessman with Community Roots
Bedell has become increasingly recognized across Liberia, particularly in Maryland County, for his commitment to community development and youth empowerment.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Dorbor Bedell Foundation and a native of Rock Town in Harper, Maryland County, Bedell has championed initiatives focused on scholarships, sanitation, infrastructure rehabilitation, women’s empowerment, and entrepreneurship development.
Through the Foundation, dozens of students have received educational support while several community projects have been undertaken to improve living conditions for ordinary Liberians. His advocacy stems from a firm belief that meaningful development must begin with investing in people, particularly young people who represent the future workforce and leadership of Liberia.
Those close to him say his experiences witnessing poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship in many communities have fueled his passion for creating opportunities for the next generation.
Graduate Unemployment a Growing Crisis
Across Liberia, universities and vocational institutions continue to produce graduates equipped with degrees and technical certifications. ‘
However, the labor market has struggled to absorb the increasing number of job seekers. Many graduates spend years searching for employment opportunities, while others are forced to accept jobs unrelated to their fields of study.
Some ultimately abandon their professions altogether in pursuit of survival. Bedell believes this trend poses serious social and economic risks.
“When young people invest years in education but cannot find meaningful work, it creates hopelessness and discouragement,” he explained. “Unemployment affects families, communities, and national stability.”
He argues that the government alone cannot solve the employment challenge through public sector jobs and that a broader economic strategy is needed to stimulate growth in sectors capable of creating large-scale employment opportunities.
Agriculture: Liberia’s Untapped Employment Sector
Among the sectors identified by Bedell as having the greatest potential for job creation is agriculture. Despite possessing vast areas of fertile land, favorable weather conditions, and abundant natural resources, Liberia continues to import large quantities of food products that could be produced locally.
According to Bedell, agriculture offers opportunities not only for farmers but also for graduates in business, engineering, environmental science, logistics, marketing, and technology. He recommends increased government investment in commercial farming, agro-processing facilities, storage infrastructure, irrigation systems, and agricultural cooperatives.
“If we transform agriculture into a modern business sector, thousands of jobs can be created across the country,” he said.
“Young people can build careers in farming, processing, transportation, packaging, and exports.” Bedell further emphasized that every county possesses unique agricultural advantages that can be developed into engines of economic growth.
Vocational and Entrepreneurship Pathways
While university graduates face employment challenges, Bedell says vocational graduates often encounter equally difficult obstacles despite possessing practical skills. He believes government should strengthen partnerships between vocational institutions and private companies to ensure graduates receive hands-on experience and direct pathways into employment.
Liberia continues to face shortages of skilled electricians, welders, plumbers, mechanics, machine operators, solar technicians, and construction specialists. He recommends apprenticeship programs, tax incentives for companies hiring young technicians, and government-backed startup grants for vocational graduates interested in launching their own businesses.
One of Bedell’s strongest arguments centers on entrepreneurship. Rather than relying solely on government employment, he believes young people should be encouraged and supported to become job creators themselves.
He has repeatedly advocated for affordable financing, noting that access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers facing young entrepreneurs in Liberia, and has called for stronger support to Liberian-owned businesses and easier access to credit facilities.
According to Bedell, government can stimulate entrepreneurship by establishing youth enterprise funds, business incubators, innovation centers, and low-interest loan programs. “Small businesses create jobs faster than many large institutions,” he explained. “When young entrepreneurs succeed, entire communities benefit.” He argues that entrepreneurship education should become a core component of both university and vocational training curricula.
Digital Economy, Tourism, Local Content
Bedell also sees significant potential in Liberia’s emerging digital economy. With global demand growing for digital services, he believes Liberia must invest in technology education and digital infrastructure to position young people for future opportunities.
He advocates for coding academies, innovation hubs, ICT training centers, and expanded internet access across the country. According to him, Liberian youth could find employment in software development, graphic design, digital marketing, customer support services, online education, and remote work opportunities.
From the beaches of Maryland County to Liberia’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions, Bedell believes the tourism sector remains largely underdeveloped despite its enormous potential.
Investments in hospitality, transportation, destination marketing, cultural festivals, and eco-tourism initiatives could generate thousands of jobs, particularly for young people. Beyond tourism, he sees opportunities in music, film production, fashion, arts, and cultural entrepreneurship. “Creative industries are creating jobs around the world,” he noted.
“Liberian talent deserves similar opportunities.” Bedell further recommends that government infrastructure projects incorporate stronger local content requirements, arguing that road construction, housing projects, ports, bridges, schools, hospitals, and energy projects should prioritize Liberian workers and contractors wherever possible.
A Call for Collective Action
While acknowledging that unemployment cannot be solved overnight, Bedell believes meaningful progress is possible through collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners, educational institutions, and civil society organizations.
He argues that Liberia possesses the resources, talent, and potential needed to transform its economy if deliberate investments are made in sectors capable of creating sustainable employment. “Our youth are not asking for handouts,” Bedell concluded.
“They are asking for opportunities. They want to work, innovate, contribute, and build a better future for themselves and their country. If we invest wisely in agriculture, entrepreneurship, vocational training, technology, tourism, and infrastructure, we can create thousands of jobs and unlock Liberia’s full potential.”
As Liberia continues to pursue economic growth and national development, the debate over job creation is expected to remain at the center of the country’s development agenda for years to come.