TThe Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA) has donated Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$500,000) to support youth development and football initiatives in Liberia, reaffirming its commitment to empowering young people through strategic social investment.
The donation, presented on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at LiMA’s headquarters in Congo Town, was shared equally between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Liberia Football Association (LFA), with each institution receiving Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (US$250,000).
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, LiMA Commissioner/CEO Cllr. Neto Zarzar Lighe, Sr. explained that the joint ceremony reflects the complementary roles both institutions play in youth empowerment. He emphasized that LiMA’s support is intended to target initiatives benefiting at-risk youth across the country.
“We believe that football can play a major role in addressing some of the challenges faced by at-risk youth,” Commissioner Lighe said. “Liberia has a large youthful population, which underscores the need to create platforms and opportunities that will help young people become productive members of society.”
He noted that idle youth pose potential risks to national security and stressed that the contribution forms part of LiMA’s corporate social responsibility program, encouraged by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., to ensure that the benefits of Liberia’s maritime program reach all citizens.
Providing an overview of the ceremony, LiMA Deputy Chief Financial Officer Mr. Desire Satia described the donation as a significant milestone for the maritime sector, marking a step beyond traditional contributions to the national treasury toward direct investment in youth-focused initiatives.
Receiving the donation, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Henry B. Yonton said the contribution comes at a critical time as the Government of Liberia intensifies efforts to strengthen youth development nationwide. He added that the support aligns with the Ministry’s decentralization agenda championed by the newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports.
For his part, LFA President Mustapha I. Raji described the donation as historic, noting that it represents the first major financial contribution from a government institution to the country’s football body.
“It is unprecedented and will be recorded as a landmark moment for Liberian football,” Raji said. He praised President Boakai, Liberia’s Chief Patron of Sports, for endorsing the initiative and commended Commissioner Lighe’s leadership for recognizing and addressing challenges affecting young people.
Raji emphasized that football is a powerful driver of socio-economic development and highlighted progress in the LFA’s youth development program. He revealed that the export of Liberian football talent is increasing, with transfer revenues rising from US$181,000 in 2024 to over US$480,000 in 2025, according to the FIFA Transfer Market report.
“Our vision is to give every child in Liberia an opportunity, regardless of where they live,” he said. “We have established the first-ever football academy owned by the Liberia Football Association to nurture young talent and prepare them for successful careers in football,” the Liberian Football Chief said.
