MONROVIA – The National Investment Commission (NIC) has entered a new phase in its mandate to promote investment and private sector development following the formal assumption of office by its new Chairman, Morley Kamara, and Executive Director, Madam Caroline Bowah, who have pledged to strengthen Liberia’s investment climate, attract more investors, and create greater economic opportunities for Liberians. The transition, which took place Monday at the Commission’s headquarters, also marked the end of outgoing Executive Director Melvin Sheriff’s 16-year stewardship of the institution, and comes barely two weeks after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai reshuffled his economic team, swapping Kamara with former NIC Chairman Jeff B. Blibo, who now serves as Economic Advisor to the President. THE ANALYST reports.
The leadership transition brought together senior government officials and staff as the institution welcomed its new leadership while reaffirming its commitment to driving sustainable economic growth through increased investment and business development.
Kamara Pledges Results-Driven Leadership
In his inaugural remarks as Chairman, Morley Kamara pledged to provide strategic leadership that delivers measurable results and enhances the effectiveness of the Commission in promoting Liberia as a preferred investment destination.
Kamara emphasized that teamwork, transparency, accountability, and stronger collaboration with investors, government institutions, development partners, and the private sector would be the foundation of his administration.
He stressed that Liberia possesses enormous investment potential that must be harnessed through sound policies, improved institutional performance, and a business environment that inspires investor confidence.
Bowah Commits to Investor-Friendly Reforms
Joining him in the Commission’s new leadership, Executive Director Madam Caroline Bowah committed herself to working closely with the Commission’s staff and stakeholders to strengthen institutional performance and accelerate reforms designed to improve Liberia’s investment climate.
She said creating a predictable, transparent, and investor-friendly environment would remain central to the Commission’s agenda, noting that increased investment is indispensable to job creation, infrastructure development, economic diversification, and sustainable national growth.
Bowah further pledged to deepen engagement with the private sector while improving service delivery and working collaboratively across government to remove obstacles that discourage investment and entrepreneurship.
Both officials underscored the importance of building stronger partnerships with domestic and international investors as Liberia seeks to attract more foreign direct investment and stimulate local enterprise as part of efforts to diversify the country’s economy beyond its traditional dependence on the extractive industries.
Sheriff Bows Out After 16 Years
Earlier during the program, outgoing Executive Director Melvin Sheriff formally handed over the affairs of the Commission after serving the institution for 16 years, reflecting on what he described as a rewarding journey dedicated to promoting investment and strengthening private sector development in Liberia.
Sheriff recounted several achievements recorded during his tenure, including efforts to build investor confidence, improve investment promotion mechanisms, facilitate major investment agreements, and strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Investment Commission.
He attributed those accomplishments to the dedication of the Commission’s staff, the support of successive governments, and productive partnerships with the private sector and international development partners.
The outgoing Executive Director expressed confidence that the new leadership would build upon the progress already made, stressing that sustained investment remains vital to expanding economic opportunities, promoting industrial growth, and improving the livelihoods of Liberians.
A Pivotal Institution at a Crucial Time
The leadership transition comes at a crucial period as Liberia intensifies efforts to attract both foreign and domestic investment to stimulate economic growth, expand employment opportunities, and increase government revenues.
The National Investment Commission serves as the government’s principal investment promotion agency, with responsibility for facilitating investment opportunities, advising on investment policy, promoting public-private partnerships, and coordinating initiatives aimed at improving Liberia’s ease of doing business.
Over the years, the Commission has played a pivotal role in negotiating and facilitating major investment projects across key sectors, including mining, agriculture, manufacturing, telecommunications, tourism, and energy. The institution has long been regarded as one of government’s most important vehicles for mobilizing private capital and supporting national economic development.
With Morley Kamara and Madam Caroline Bowah now at the helm, expectations are high that the Commission will intensify reforms aimed at making Liberia more competitive for investment while advancing policies that encourage responsible investment capable of generating jobs, expanding the country’s productive sectors, and driving long-term economic transformation.
It can be recalled that on June 25, 2026, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai carried out changes in government, redeploying Mr. Jeff B. Blibo, who formerly served as Chairman of the National Investment Commission, as the new Economic Advisor to the President. Kamara, who had earlier occupied that position, swapped places with him to emerge as the new Chairman of the NIC, alongside Madam Bowah, who became the new Executive Director.