MONROVIA – Liberian-born entrepreneur, Ibrahim Traoré, has returned home with a mission to drive sustainable growth and development in his native country. As the CEO of Zoom Network Inc., Traoré is leading a multi-sector investment push, spanning mining, construction, agriculture, and more. With a team of ambitious young professionals, Zoom Network is poised to make a significant impact in Liberia, and head of the group says the vision is rooted in his experience abroad, where he built a business empire in Europe and America. The Analyst George C. Flomo reports.
The Chief Executive Officer of Zoom Network Incorporated, Mr. Ibrahim Traoré, says his company is ready to position itself as a major development partner to the Government and people of Liberia through multi-sector investments that span mining, construction, agriculture, trade, technology, health, sports, tourism, and electricity.
Speaking in an exclusive interview at the company’s office in Monrovia on Thursday, the Liberian-born entrepreneur reaffirmed his commitment to driving sustainable growth in Liberia, stressing that Zoom Network has both the technical capacity and financial strength to execute large projects, including road construction, mining operations, and major supply contracts.
A Liberian Returning Home With Purpose
Born at the Catholic Hospital in Monrovia, Traoré spent nearly three decades outside Liberia after relocating to Ivory Coast at age 10. His first visit back home in 2021 altered the course of his life.
“When I came back home, I felt love, I felt peace. I spent two months instead of two weeks,” he said.
“I kept asking myself why I didn’t come earlier. I felt the courage to invest in my country and help create jobs for my people.”
That visit marked the beginning of his renewed mission: establishing a company that would create economic opportunities for young people, especially university graduates struggling to find employment.
The Birth and Mandate of Zoom Network
Traoré said the company was formed after he and a team of young Liberian professionals sat down and analyzed Liberia’s development gaps. That process led to the creation of Zoom Network Incorporated, a multi-sector enterprise designed to offer diversified solutions across industries.
Today, Zoom Network is involved in:
Mining, Construction, Agriculture, Import–Export, Tourism, Education, Health, Technology, Real Estate, Transportation and Trade & Services
The CEO described Zoom Network as “a growing company with young, ambitious people who know what they want and are ready to work.”
He added that the firm recently supplied the Ministry of Finance with rice for the July 26 celebrations under a pre-financing arrangement, demonstrating Zoom Network’s reliability and operational strength.
A Partnership Rooted in Global Experience
At the interview was Traoré’s long-time associate, Mr. Robert Benga Douma, a Cameroonian football and business executive known internationally for his connections in the sports and corporate world.
Traoré clarified that Douma is more than a business partner:
“He is like a brother. We’ve been working together for nearly 15 years. Before business, we made our money in football,” Traoré said.
“He was the first person to sign Samuel Eto’o to Real Madrid. People trust him. He knows the world.”
Douma visited Liberia for three days and has since committed to supporting Zoom Network’s multi-sector operations—not limited to sports but across all business areas.
Discouraged by Sports Politics, Motivated by Business
Although Traoré initially attempted to invest heavily in Liberian football upon his return, he said he was pushed away by individuals who misinterpreted his intentions.
“I was discouraged. I wanted to bring a global football academy and take at least ten players every month to Europe, but they felt threatened,” he noted.
He made it clear that he has put sports behind him and is now focused fully on business development:
“Liberians pushed me out of sports. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I am a businessman now, and I want to help my country through Zoom Network.”
Capacity to Finance and Deliver Mega Projects
Responding to a journalist’s question about whether Zoom Network has the financial strength and technical capability to build roads and handle major infrastructure contracts, Traoré answered confidently:
“Zoom Network is ready. We are capable of financing any project. We have built our empire in Europe and America. People are waiting for us—once we call, they come.”
He said the company’s partnerships abroad are solid and backed by entities willing to invest once the Liberian government expresses confidence in Zoom’s initiatives.
Vision for the Next Five Years
Traoré predicts exponential growth for the firm.
“Very, very big,” he emphasized.
“Everyone around me has ambition. When you work with people who don’t have vision, you go nowhere. But here, everyone wants to improve and go far. That’s why in 2 to 5 years, Zoom Network will be on another level.”
One of the CEO’s strongest motivations is job creation. Traoré said Zoom Network intentionally hires young people because they bring energy, ideas, and innovation.
“We want to help the youth—university graduates who finish school but can’t find jobs. These young people are potential. That’s why Zoom Network is here.”
A Call for Trust and Partnership
In closing, Traoré appealed for trust from Liberians and the government, stressing that pushing away investors only discourages progress.
“We just want the government to trust us. We are here to develop this country. We have energy, we have capacity, we have the right people. And we are ready.”