About the Office

The Liberia Trade & Investment Office, established by the Government of Liberia under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., promotes Liberia as a premier destination for trade, investment, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Its main focus is on strengthening commercial ties between Liberia and the United States and advancing the President’s ARREST Agenda for national development.

Why Philadelphia

  • Philadelphia is a historic center of commerce, innovation, logistics, and international trade.

  • It is a one-stop hub for market entry support, investment facilitation, business networking, and strategic partnerships.

  • Its deep Liberian diaspora community and dense business networks make it the ideal U.S. base for Liberia's trade and investment outreach.

Who We Serve

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai

President of the Republic of Liberia

President Boakai was the 30th Vice President of Liberia before becoming President. In his new role as president, Joe Boakai has promised a new mindset for the country by rallying Liberians to “Think, Love, and Build Liberia.”

Joe Boakai, in full Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., was born on November 30, 1944, in Wasonga, Lofa County in northwest Liberia, the 5th of seven siblings, he served as the 30th Vice President of the Republic of Liberia (2006 -2017) in the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state. He previously ran for President of Liberia in 2017 and lost to former President George Manneh Weah.

  • The story of Joe Boakai’s rise to national prominence should inspire hope for any African child with courage, determination, faith in God, the spirit of hard work, and dreams.

    He attended the College of West Africa and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Liberia. His early career included service with the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation, where he introduced reforms that supported cocoa, coffee, and oil-palm farmers. He subsequently became Managing Director of the corporation in 1980 the first Liberian to hold that position and later served as Minister of Agriculture and Managing Director of the Liberian Petroleum Refining Corporation.

  • President Boakai has devoted decades to public service and national development. Following Liberia’s return to peace, he was elected Vice President in 2005 and served alongside President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2017. During his 12 years as Vice President, he was involved in Liberia’s post-conflict recovery and development efforts, gaining extensive experience in national governance and international engagement. After an unsuccessful presidential bid in 2017, he continued his public service journey and was elected President of Liberia in 2023, assuming office on January 22, 2024. His leadership message is reflected in his call for Liberians to “Think Liberia, Love Liberia, Build Liberia.”

  • Beyond public office, President Boakai has been recognized for his commitment to integrity, service, and humanitarian work. Through his personal initiatives and the Joseph Nyuma Boakai Foundation, he has supported scholarships, medical care, and assistance for people in need. He has also been active in civic and community organizations, including the YMCA, the Federation of Liberian Youth, and Rotary. A devout Christian and Senior Deacon at Effort Baptist Church, President Boakai is married to Kartumu Yatta, and they have four children. His life and career reflect a longstanding commitment to public service, education, humanitarian assistance, and Liberia’s national development.

Mission & Mandate

  • We serve as a gateway for businesses, investors, and development partners seeking opportunities in Liberia. We connect international businesses with government agencies and private-sector partners, help with market entry, provide investment information and regulatory guidance, organise trade missions and business forums, and support cross-border partnerships.

    1. Facilitating foreign direct investment into Liberia

    2. Strengthening bilateral commercial ties between Liberia and the United States

    3. Supporting Liberian businesses and diaspora entrepreneurs

    4. Promoting job creation and private sector growth

    5. Advancing President Joseph Boakai's ARREST Agenda for national development

  • It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

Find out more

Head of Trade Office

Ambassador Gurly T. Gibson Schwarz serves as the Head of the Trade & Investment Office (TIO) of Liberia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Appointed following the reactivation of the office by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in 2025.

Ambassador Schwarz leads Liberia’s efforts to strengthen trade relations, attract foreign direct investment, and expand economic cooperation between Liberia and the United States.

A respected advocate for economic development and international business engagement, Ambassador Schwarz has been instrumental in organizing high-level investment conferences, trade missions, and strategic partnerships focused on sectors such as renewable energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, healthcare, and workforce development.

Liberia: Open for Business & Investment
With sustained economic reforms driving improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and financial stability, Liberia is rapidly emerging as an investment hub in West Africa. The Trade & Investment Office remains committed to working with foreign investors and Diaspora entrepreneurs to ensure Liberia’s continued economic expansion and prosperity.

Our mission is clear: to position Liberia as an investor’s paradise in Africa—open for business, full of opportunities, and ready for long-term partnerships.

Amb. Gurly Gibson Schwarz

Head Trade & Investment Representative of the TIO

Meet the Team

Emmanuel Abalo

Senior Trade & Investment Officer

We trust this leader to synchronize production, logistics, and support functions, cultivating dependable processes that uphold our service commitments.

Head of Governmental Affairs

Emmanuel Allan Wieh

Emmanuel is the Head of Governmental Affairs, Finance, and International Trade at the Trade and Investment Office in Philadelphia, USA. In this capacity, he leads strategic engagement with U.S.-based stakeholders, facilitates foreign direct investment into Liberia, and oversees financial operations that bridge public sector objectives with private sector opportunities.


Trade and Commerce Officer

Ms. Neva Puchu Wesley

Ms. Wesley applies her financial and economic expertise to foster commercial relationships and drive investment opportunities, representing the Liberian Government on a global platform. Her unique trajectory from health administration to international trade exemplifies her resourcefulness and her unwavering dedication to excellence in public service and economic development.