Liberia and U.S. State of Maryland Sign Historic MoU, Launch First State-to-Nation Partnership with an African Country
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland – Liberia and the U.S. State of Maryland have formalized a landmark partnership aimed at boosting trade, innovation, and human capital, signing what officials called Maryland’s first-ever state-to-nation agreement with an African country.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed Wednesday at the Governor’s Reception Room in Annapolis. Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti signed on behalf of President Joseph Boakai, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed for the state.
The ceremony was witnessed by Maryland Secretary of State Susan Lee and Liberia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh.
The accord establishes a comprehensive framework for cooperation across trade and investment, education, technology, agriculture, renewable energy, transportation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate resilience, tourism, and cultural exchange.
The MoU elevates the sister-State relationship established in 2007 between Maryland and Liberia’s Bong and Maryland Counties into a full strategic partnership.
Maryland officials noted this is the first time the state has entered a formal agreement at the national level with an African country, though it has prior subnational partnerships on the continent.
“This agreement opens a new era of economic and diplomatic cooperation,” Minister Nyanti said.
She described it as a significant step toward deepening ties and delivering tangible benefits for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.
The partnership is expected to support Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, particularly in Economic Transformation, Infrastructure, and Human Capital Development.
Governor Moore welcomed the deal as a way to strengthen historical bonds while unlocking new avenues for business and people-to-people engagement.
The partnership draws on nearly two centuries of ties between Maryland and Liberia.
Maryland played a key role in Liberia’s early settlement in the 1830s, and Liberia’s second President, Stephen Allen Benson, was born in Cambridge, Maryland.
To ensure results, the MoU creates a Liberia-Maryland Working Group to identify priority projects, facilitate institutional and business exchanges, and coordinate activities.
Liberia’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. will serve as the lead agency for monitoring and implementation.
The signing drew Maryland government officials, former legislators, members of Governor Moore’s cabinet, and Liberian diaspora leaders, including Sebastian Teclar, President of the Liberian Association for the DC-Maryland-Virginia area.
Minister Nyanti was accompanied by Assistant Minister for American Affairs Christiana Konneh, Minister Counselor Charles Allen, Minister Counselor Al-Jerome Anastas Chede Sr., and Communications Officer Stephenie Wesseh.
Officials said the agreement is being viewed as a major diplomatic win for Liberia and could serve as a model for deeper cooperation between African nations and U.S. states.
