During the 2025 Liberia Annual Diaspora Conference, Hon. Isaac Taggart Jr., Special Envoy for U.S. Trade & Investment for the Republic of Liberia, convened and moderated a high-level panel discussion titled “Building Confidence in Local and Diaspora Investment: From Policy to Practice.” The dialogue brought together key decision-makers and diaspora stakeholders to explore the critical path from aspirational investment policies to implementable, actionable outcomes that unlock real economic opportunities in Liberia.
Panelists included:
- Hon. Jeff Blibo, Chairman, National Investment Commission of Liberia (NIC)
- Councilwoman Wala Blegay, Prince George’s County, Maryland, and a leading voice on diaspora empowerment and international affairs
The session focused on strategies to bridge the policy-practice gap and foster a more predictable, transparent investment climate that encourages diaspora-led entrepreneurship and partnerships. The panel explored:
- Institutional reforms and investment facilitation mechanisms being spearheaded by the NIC;
- Diaspora policy alignment and enabling legislation to reduce friction for capital inflows;
- The role of subnational and county-based engagement in absorbing private investment;
- The need for clear regulatory frameworks, investor protections, and incentives;
- Building local trust and cooperation between government agencies and diaspora networks.
Chairman Blibo emphasized the urgency of converting diaspora goodwill into capital, highlighting Liberia’s wealth of human, natural, and geopolitical assets, while acknowledging persistent infrastructure, governance, and perception challenges.
“Investor confidence is not built through slogans; it is built through systems,” Hon. Taggart stated. “This panel was not just about identifying problems, it was about aligning the diaspora with the ministries, commissions, and agencies of government who are ready to solve them together.”