Monrovia, Liberia – In an effort to expand, access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy across the country, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has issued Executive Order No. 168, renewing and revising the suspension of applicable import tariffs on specific off-grid solar energy products as part of efforts to increase electricity access nationwide.
According to report from the Executive Mansion on Monday, the decision by the President form part of an effort to provide reliable, affordable and clean power to rural and underserved areas that are not connected to, or have limited access to the national grid.
The duty waiver applies only to items listed in the order’s schedule and properly coded under the Harmonized System.
Products include off-grid solar lighting and electrification systems, standalone solar PV components, energy-saving appliances, batteries, panels, control units, and other equipment needed for rural electrification and productive uses of energy.
The statement inform that high import costs have slowed investment and limited consumer access to solar solutions. By suspending tariffs, government hopes to encourage private sector participation, lower retail prices, and support businesses that depend on electricity.
The order includes transparency measures to ensure only eligible companies benefit. To qualify, an entity must be registered with the Liberia Business Registry and, where required, with the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency, or RREA.
The report states that all imports must meet customs rules, inspection, pre-shipment verification, and documentation requirements. Products must also comply with technical, health, safety, and environmental standards set by national authorities.
The Liberia Revenue Authority will enforce the suspension at ports and issue guidance for uniform implementation. The RREA will maintain the list of approved products and beneficiaries, while the National Standards Authority will verify compliance.
Government stressed that the waiver does not exempt importers from other charges. GST, VAT, the Customs User Fee, the ECOWAS Trade Levy, and other statutory fees remain payable unless waived separately.
President Boakai in the statement directed authorities to guard against abuse noting that individual or company found misclassifying goods, submitting false paperwork, bringing in non-qualifying items, or inflating prices may face customs, tax, administrative, civil, or criminal action.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will work with the LRA, RREA, National Standards Authority and other agencies to track the effects with focus on investment levels, cost changes, electricity expansion, rural electrification, productive use of energy, and broader climate and environmental outcomes.
The renewed tariff suspension takes effect for one year from the date of issuance. It may be changed, suspended, or revoked earlier by another Executive Order or by law.
The measure by the government is intended to make solar energy more affordable and help more Liberians, especially in rural communities, gain access to power.
