By: Melvin Flomo
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Essaouira, Morocco – The Cooperative Development Agency (CDA) of Liberia, through its Deputy Registrar for Cooperative Development Services, Hon. Edwina J. Boima, has showcased the country’s strides in cooperative development at the 11th Technical Committee Meeting of the Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference. Themed "Cooperative Visibility for a Better Africa," the event brought together stakeholders from across the continent to explore strategies for strengthening the cooperative sector.
Madam Boima presented Liberia’s journey in cooperative development, outlining the agency’s mandate as the Government of Liberia’s regulatory, technical, and educational arm for cooperative activities across all 15 counties. The CDA is tasked with organizing grassroots associations, registering and supervising cooperatives, providing training, conducting audits, and resolving disputes among members.
Tracing Liberia’s cooperative history, Hon. Boima highlighted that although the Cooperative Movement Society Act was passed in 1936, cooperative practice only gained traction in the 1970s. The CDA was officially established on April 7, 1981, under Executive Order #10 of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), transitioning from a division within the Ministry of Agriculture.
Currently, Liberia boasts 460 registered and active cooperatives operating across various value chains. Two standout examples were spotlighted:
1. Say No to Hunger Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative in Nimba County, with 650 members (400 women), manages 150 hectares and earned $55,000 in 2024 through vegetable farming, animal husbandry, and oil palm production. The cooperative supplies to Cuttington University, local supermarkets, and restaurants.
2. After the Rain Multipurpose Cooperative Society in Lofa County, with 203 members, focuses on rice, vegetables, and beekeeping. The group generated $32,400 in income this year and counts the World Food Program and Mary’s Meals Liberia among its customers.
Boima emphasized the cooperatives’ contributions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly pillars one and three, citing economic growth, food security, community cohesion, and educational support as key achievements.
However, the CDA also acknowledged several challenges hindering further progress: limited access to inputs, machinery, markets, finance, and technical expertise.
To address these issues, Madam Boima recommended increased capacity building, improved market linkages, and expanded financial access to sustain and grow cooperative enterprises across Liberia.
Liberia’s participation at the 11th Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference reaffirmed the vital role cooperatives play in driving economic empowerment, food security, and community development. With the right support and strategic investment, these grassroots organizations have the potential to transform lives and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s sustainable future.
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