Investment Incentives – FAQs
Address your Investment Incentive request to:
Hon. Jeff B. Blibo
Chairman
National Investment Commission
jblibo@investliberia.gov.lr
Provided items/supplies are purchased for use with the investment activity and placed into service within one year, duty exemptions may apply.What are the types of incentives provided by the NIC?
| Eligible for Exemption |
|---|
| Medical and educational equipment and supplies |
| Importation of machinery and equipment |
| Importation of capital spare parts |
| Tax holiday |
| Preferential tariff for electricity (when available) |
Not eligible: Automobiles, small trucks, fuel, and lubricants.
Who qualifies for investment incentives?
| Minimum Investment | Amount |
|---|---|
| General investments | USD $500,000 |
| Hospitals/health clinics | USD $50,000 |
Eligible Sectors:
- Tourism
- Manufacturing (≥ 60% local raw material)
- Energy
- Hospitals and clinics
- Low & medium income housing
- Transport infrastructure
- Information Technology
- Banking (non-banking areas in southeastern Liberia + Zone 1)
- Poultry
- Horticulture
- Exportation of sea products
- Agricultural crop cultivation & processing
- Rubber and oil palm (small/medium scale)
What are the priority sectors of the Government of Liberia?
What businesses are reserved exclusively for Liberians?
| Reserved Business Activities |
|---|
| Supply of sand |
| Block making |
| Peddling |
| Travel agencies |
| Retail sale of rice & cement |
| Ice making & sale |
| Tire repair shops |
| Auto repair shops (< USD $50,000) |
| Shoe repair shops |
| Retail sale of timber & planks |
| Gas stations |
| Video clubs |
| Taxis |
| Used clothing sales |
| Distribution of locally manufactured products |
| Used car sale (except certified dealership brands) |
Conditional sectors for foreign investors:
| Sector | Capital Requirement |
|---|---|
| Non-Liberian owned | ≥ USD $500,000 |
| 25% Liberian-owned | ≥ USD $300,000 |
Applicable sectors include: stone & granite production, ice cream manufacturing, commercial printing, advertising agencies, cinemas, poultry production, bottling water, entertainment centers, animal feed sale, heavy-duty trucking, bakeries, pharmaceuticals.
What are the steps for granting Investment Incentives?
1. Submit application to the NIC with:
- Business Registration
- Articles of Incorporation
- Business Plan / Project Proposal (hard & soft copy)
- Tax clearance
- USB copy of Business Plan
2. NIC Evaluation:
- Value-added potential
- Employment generation
- Liberian participation
- Use of local raw materials
3. Decision:
The Minister of Finance either grants or rejects the incentive request.
4. Submission Address:
The Chairman
National Investment Commission
M&E Professional Building,
UN Drive, P. O. Box 9043
Monrovia, Liberia
5. If approved:
An Investment Incentive Contract is signed.
How is NIC helping the Domestic Private Sector?