By: Aminata Sesay
A high-profile delegation from Liberia, including members of Parliament, government advisors, and port officials, has completed a successful assessment tour of Africa Global Logistics (AGL) operations in Sierra Leone and Guinea. The delegation expressed strong interest in replicating AGL’s operational model at Liberia’s Port of Buchanan.
The delegation was led by Mr. Jonathan L. Kaipe, Director of Food at the Port of Buchanan, and included Hon. Austin Taylor, Chair of the Port and Maritime Affairs Committee in the Liberian House of Representatives; Captain Fabjanko Kokan, AGL’s Regional Director for Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea; and Madam Magdalene Cooper, Senior Political Advisor to the President of Liberia.
The visit aimed to assess AGL’s capacity, experience, and infrastructure development at key ports in the sub-region. The delegation toured seaport terminals, maintenance sections, and reviewed port concession agreements, including Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models in Conakry and Sierra Leone.
“We’ve been impressed by the level of human resource development at these ports. In Sierra Leone, for example, over 90% of the 350+ port workers are Sierra Leoneans. It shows ownership, capacity-building, and sustainability,” said Mr. Kaipe. “Our goal is to explore how this model can be replicated in Buchanan.”
Hon. Austin Taylor echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the visit at a crucial time as Liberia considers a bill for the autonomization of its ports. “We are neighbors Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and this trip reaffirms our belief that there is much we can learn from one another. We are not only impressed by AGL’s operations, but we also see real potential in adapting this model for Liberia’s economic growth,” he stated.
Captain Fabjanko Kokan welcomed the delegation’s positive response, reaffirming AGL’s commitment to regional development and cooperation. “We are open to partnerships, to share knowledge, and to invest not just in Sierra Leone or Guinea, but also in Liberia. We believe in building solutions, not excuses,” he remarked.
AGL is currently expanding operations in Conakry with the construction of a 300-meter quay and is actively involved in ongoing port modernization efforts in Sierra Leone. Captain Kokan emphasized that AGL’s mission is to promote infrastructure growth and human capital development across West Africa.
Madam Magdalene Cooper, Senior Political Advisor to President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, expressed her deep satisfaction with the visit. “What AGL is doing here is impressive. We need this level of expertise and investment in Liberia. I will report directly to the President on what I’ve seen. I believe this could be the beginning of a strong partnership,” she said.