The Liberian tourism sector received a huge boost with the opening of a second ecolodge, the Nimba Ecolodge and Reserve, located in Yekepa, Nimba County, on Saturday, June 15, 2024 through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
In May, the Wakorlor Jungle Ecolodge was opened in Robertsports, Grand Cape Mount County, under a similar USAID funding.
At the dedicatory ceremony in Yekepa, Information Minister, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, commended USAID for its continued support to Liberia. Minister Piah said, “The Government of Liberia remains grateful to the United States for leading the charge in investing in conservation works that will boom Liberia’s ecotourism through support to the Liberian private sector.”
He assured government’s commitment to crowd in, support and create the enabling environment for the private sector to drive the country’s tourism industry.
“Leveraging the private sector to boost ecotourism and safeguard natural resources is a critical component of the US Government strategy in Liberia,” USAID said. “USAID’s investment of US$350,000 leveraged US$620,000 in private capital and will promote ecotourism and the conservation of East Nimba Nature Reserve spanning on 13,000 hectares.”