By T. Ezekiel Geeplay | Contributing Writer
Monrovia, Liberia |April 18, 2026| Liberia is moving to create a national system that could reward households and businesses for using clean energy, as the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) held high-level talks this week with the Carbon Market Authority (CMA) and energy advisory firm Nextier.
The meeting, held on April 16, 2026, brought together RREA officials, CMA CEO Madam Jeanine Cooper and her team, and Mr. Umar Nuhu Mohammed, CEO of Nextier.
Discussions centered on accelerating renewable energy adoption and positioning Liberia to benefit from global carbon markets.
A key outcome of the engagement was a proposal to develop a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Framework for Liberia.
The framework, RREA said would establish a transparent national system to track renewable energy usage and certify clean energy contributions from solar, hydro, and other eligible sources.
If adopted, the REC system would allow households, businesses, institutions, and communities using verified renewable energy systems to access new incentives.
According to RREA, these could include grants, financing opportunities, tax benefits, and other clean energy support mechanisms.
“This initiative is aimed at unlocking emerging opportunities within the carbon market while expanding energy access,” RREA said in a statement following the meeting.
The proposed REC Framework aligns with Liberia’s broader climate commitments and its push to increase electricity access, particularly in rural areas. Over 70% of Liberians still lack access to reliable electricity, with rural rates significantly lower.
RREA said it remains “fully committed to driving innovative solutions that expand energy access, strengthen climate action, and support Liberia’s sustainable development agenda.” The agency noted that it looks forward to continued collaboration with CMA and Nextier to advance the initiative.
No timeline for implementation was announced. The framework would likely require technical design, stakeholder consultations, and regulatory approval before rollout.
Renewable Energy Certificates are market-based instruments that represent the environmental benefits of one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from renewable sources. Globally, RECs are traded and used by companies and governments to meet sustainability targets and access climate finance.
The Carbon Market Authority, headed by Madam Jeanine Cooper, is Liberia’s lead agency for carbon market development. Nextier is a regional energy advisory firm with experience in power sector reform and clean energy investment across West Africa.
The meeting comes as Liberia seeks to leverage international climate finance and carbon markets to fund its energy transition. The country submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, pledging to reduce emissions while expanding energy access.
