Pan-African News Blog

The Nimba Development Company (NDC) is currently in advanced discussions with port authorities in Côte d’Ivoire, specifically the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro, to serve as export gateways for its planned iron ore production from the Nimba Mountains. The company aims to export up to 3 million tonnes of iron ore annually, marking a significant step in West Africa’s evolving mining landscape.

Located at the tri-border region of Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, the Nimba mountain range holds immense mineral wealth. Historically, Liberia’s rail and port infrastructure—particularly the Buchanan port—has been a key transit route for mining exports from Guinea. However, with NDC now favoring Ivorian ports, the shift could signal a changing dynamic in regional infrastructure and investment priorities.

This development could have far-reaching implications for Liberia’s mining sector. While it underscores the growing competition among West African nations to become preferred export hubs, it also highlights the need for Liberia to modernize and maintain its infrastructure to remain a viable player in regional trade and resource logistics.

As West Africa’s mining ambitions grow, the decisions made today about transport corridors and export strategies will shape the future economic integration and cooperation—or rivalry—among neighboring countries. Liberia, with its geographic advantage and mining history, must now weigh its options and policy responses to stay competitive in this evolving regional mining economy.