MONROVIA — The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through its Liberia Investment, Finance, and Trade Project (LIFT-P), contracted Bridgewater Advisors Limited—an international advisory firm—to strengthen the capabilities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and key ecosystem players in Liberia through the Accelerate360 Program.
Accelerate360 aims to build the capacity of 165 SMEs over a three-year period by enhancing both technical and soft skills to enable them to seize domestic and international market opportunities – training for Cohort 1 commenced in December 2025.
In addition to SME support, the Accelerate360 Program includes capacity-building for Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) and Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs). A total of 50 BDSPs and ESOs successfully completed a targeted Technical Assistance Program (TAP) and graduated in Monrovia in August 2025.
The TAP specifically addressed key market failures, including limited SME access to markets and information, gaps in support services provided by BDSPs and ESOs, and capacity constraints within the Small Business Administration (SBA) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The training was designed on the premise that BDSPs/ESOs play a vital role in supporting SMEs. Their functions include, facilitating access to markets, improving input sourcing, and promoting adoption of technology, enhancing managerial capabilities, and enabling access to finance. The program aimed to enhance the technical knowledge and practical skills of private-sector actors while establishing a sustainable mechanism for knowledge transfer to support the development of a resilient SME ecosystem in Liberia.
Despite their critical role, many BDSPs in Liberia face challenges such as limited knowledge, insufficient technical expertise, inadequate tools, and gaps in sector-specific experience, which constrain their ability to effectively meet SME needs.
The seven-month intervention began with an identification and assessment phase in February 2025, which culminated in a high-impact training series delivered in August of the same year. The training was conducted for 50 BDSPs and ESOs across eight counties, including 19 youth-focused and 17 women-focused organizations, as well as 10 members of the SBA team.
Participants received structured instruction across four critical pillars: Access to Markets, Supply Chain Management, Climate Adaptation, and SME Capital Mobilization. The program’s effectiveness was demonstrated through significant improvements in pre- and post-test scores, showing participants’ strengthened technical and institutional capacities.
In addition to the training, Bridgewater completed a comprehensive diagnostic of the Small Business Administration — identifying gaps, outlining an improvement plan, and proposing targeted interventions.
Looking ahead, post-training support will focus on building a connected, collaborative network of BDSPs and ESOs. Through peer learning, shared resources, interactive forums, and continuous engagement, the program aims to create a sustainable ecosystem capable of supporting SME growth long after project closure. The BDSP/ESO Capacity Building Program marks a significant step toward strengthening Liberia’s private sector landscape.
The Liberia Investment, Finance, and Trade Project is working to enhance Liberia’s private sector by improving the investment climate, expanding MSMEs access to finance, and streamlining trade processes. The Project is funded by the Government of Liberia and the World Bank Group.
