LEITI MSG and Secretariat Hold FY 2025 Review Retreat, Set Strategic Priorities for 2026

From December 15–20, 2025, members of the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and staff of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) convened in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, for a retreat to review progress and challenges encountered during fiscal year 2025.

During the retreat, the MSG reviewed and approved the validation templates prepared by the Secretariat, the LEITI five-year Strategic Plan, and the 2025 Annual Progress Report. The MSG also agreed on priority areas to guide the fiscal year 2026 workplan.

The key priority areas unanimously endorsed for fiscal year 2026 include strengthening beneficial ownership disclosure; advancing anti-corruption efforts; identifying innovative approaches to enhance contract transparency; mainstreaming the EITI process in Liberia; improving communications and public awareness; simplifying and improving access to LEITI data for better public understanding; enhancing disclosure and transparency in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector; and strengthening engagement with the National Legislature. These priorities align with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda and the 2023 EITI Standard.

As part of the week-long activities, the LEITI Secretariat organized a debate between Buchanan Open Bible Standard School and Kpanay Town Public High School on the topic: “Does revealing the ultimate beneficial owners of extractive companies curtail illicit financial flows in the extractive sector?” Buchanan Open Bible Standard School supported the motion, while Kpanay Town Public High School opposed it. Buchanan Open Bible Standard School emerged as the winner with 87 percent, while Kpanay Town Public High School scored 71 percent.

The Secretariat also visited the Harlandsville Interactive Forum, where it disseminated key findings from LEITI’s recently released 16th EITI Report. Participants actively engaged with the presentation and encouraged the Secretariat to conduct regular outreach visits to provide information on extractive companies operating in the county.

The retreat concluded with renewed commitments from both the Multi-Stakeholder Group and the LEITI Secretariat staff to advance transparency and accountability in Liberia’s extractive sector.