JR Farms signs US$60M coffee partnership with Liberia to revive sector

LIBERIA – Nigerian agro-development company JR Farms Group has signed a US$60 million, 20-year partnership agreement with the Government of Liberia to revitalize the country’s coffee sector, expand exports and strengthen agricultural development. 

The agreement, signed through Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture, is expected to benefit more than 200,000 farmers and support the development of over 250,000 hectares of coffee plantations over the next two decades. 

Under the initiative, at least 200 million coffee trees will be planted, with the project projected to create more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs across Liberia’s coffee value chain. 

The agreement was signed in Monrovia by Liberia’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, and JR Farms Group Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, Olawale Rotimi Oyeyemi. 

Liberia, known for its unique Liberica coffee variety, possesses favourable agroecological conditions and fertile soils suitable for the cultivation of Liberica, Arabica and Robusta coffee.  

Under the leadership of Dr. Nuetah, coffee has been identified as one of the priority crops for driving agricultural transformation, economic growth and export diversification. 

The partnership also supports the objectives of Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP), which seeks to establish 15,000 hectares of new coffee farms over the next five years. 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Nuetah described the agreement as a significant step in restoring Liberia’s position as a competitive coffee-producing nation. 

“This partnership represents a major opportunity to revive Liberia’s coffee sector, empower farmers, create jobs, and unlock new economic opportunities for rural communities across the country,” he said. 

Oyeyemi said the agreement marked another milestone in efforts to strengthen Africa’s position in the global coffee industry. 

“Historically, Liberia is known as a coffee producer with its unique variety called Liberica. With this partnership, the country’s coffee sector will be revitalized and repositioned for growth, value chain development, job creation and revenue generation for the nation,” he said. 

“We commend the Liberian Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Joseph Boakai, and the Honorable Minister of Agriculture for the visionary leadership.” 

Through the partnership, JR Farms Group will establish nurseries, distribute improved Liberica, Arabica and Robusta seedlings, strengthen farmer training programmes and develop commercial coffee washing stations. 

The initiative will also support grading and quality assurance systems, digital farmer registration platforms, structured out-grower schemes, guaranteed offtake arrangements and the establishment of a Liberia Coffee Exchange to improve market access and enhance the competitiveness of Liberian coffee. 

Initial implementation will focus on Nimba, Lofa and Bong counties, with emphasis on youth participation, rural transformation and inclusive agricultural growth. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.