Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

On April 23-24, 2026, the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative held an engagement session with fifteen (15) rural journalists from the western region of Liberia, which includes Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Bomi counties. and the journalists gathered in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, for a two- day intensive, well- structured capacity building session. The capacity building focused on empowering journalists to use data for effective reporting; the role of in promoting Transparency and Accountability in resource governance; Understanding Ownership Investigation for accountability reporting; and how media practitioners can communicate the effectively.

The gathering highlighted trends in revenue generation and social contributions from the industries between 2007 and 2023, with an emphasis on promoting and , and inclusive governance. Participants explored how this data can inform , policy, and strengthen community empowerment. Participants were also able to analyze a published report and use it as the basis for a news article. Emphasis was placed on ensuring timely reporting, improving public access to information, and strengthening collaboration with the media to amplify the impact of LEITI findings.

At the end of the gathering, Journalists were equipped with the knowledge needed to understand and uncover who truly controls companies in the sector. Reporters were trained to investigate and trace hidden structures that may enable or illicit financial flows, use beneficial ownership data to link resource revenues to accountability mechanisms, and to expose conflict of interest. Journalists were encouraged to use storytelling and relatable examples to explain how impacts citizens' daily lives.

The two- day gathering reaffirmed the critical role of open data and inclusive in strengthening the governance of Liberia's extractive sector. By making revenue and contribution data accessible and actionable.

LEITI continues to support a more transparent, accountable, and participatory natural resource management system. LEITI believes that sustained collaboration with the media and communities will be key to ensuring these efforts translate into real- world impact for Liberians across all regions.

The LEITI Secretariat today, February 17, 2026, welcomed to the Secretariat . Whroway Bryant, of Montserrado County. Our discussion centered on the sharing of extractive sector data, with a focus on Development Fund data. He praised the LEITI Secretariat for its work and noted that he was impressed, as LEITI was the entity that could provide his office with the information it sought.

He promised to be a player in disseminating LEITI data to citizens in and to ensure the LEITI Secretariat's work becomes more visible in the county.

I provided an update on the current status of EITI implementation in Liberia, the , and the LEITI Secretariat's plans. The Honorable Superintendent his commitment to working closely with the LEITI Secretariat and looks forward to a more engaging relationship between his office and the LEITI Secretariat.