Joseph Boakai

Joseph Boakai is a Liberian politician who serves as President of Liberia, having taken office in January 2024 after defeating incumbent George Weah in the 2023 election. He is a member of the Unity Party and previously served as Vice-President of Liberia between 2006 and 2018 under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Boakai's political career spans decades within Liberia's public administration, including senior roles in the Ministry of Agriculture and various government agencies before rising to national office. His presidency has focused on economic recovery, infrastructure development and attracting foreign investment into Liberia's mining and agricultural sectors. He has positioned his administration as supportive of mining projects, including gold ventures such as the Dugbe Gold Project, as a means of boosting government revenue and job creation. Boakai has emphasised skills development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises as part of a broader strategy to diversify Liberia's resource-dependent economy. He frequently appears in coverage relating to mining licences, investment agreements and regional cooperation within West Africa. His long tenure as vice-president gave him extensive experience in government before assuming the presidency at an advanced age, making him one of the oldest leaders to take office in the region. Boakai's administration operates within Liberia's post-civil-war reconstruction context, continuing efforts to stabilise institutions and attract international investors. He remains a recurring figure in business news concerning Liberia's mining policy and economic governance.