Liberia’s lawmakers debate giving LPRC exclusive fuel rights to boost security and stabilize prices amid concerns over state monopoly risks.

Liberia’s lawmakers are debating major reforms that could grant the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) exclusive authority to import and distribute fuel, aiming to boost energy security and stabilize prices. Supporters, including LPRC leadership and Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, argue the changes would enhance transparency, build strategic reserves, and modernize the sector. Critics, including the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), warn the move could create a state monopoly by merging regulatory and commercial roles, risking reduced competition and investor confidence. The debate centers on balancing state control with market competition, with the outcome expected to shape Liberia’s energy future, economic stability, and fuel access.