NOCAL Launches Bold Strategic Retreat to Fuel Energy Independence

In a landmark move toward energy sovereignty and sustainable national growth, the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) kicked off a high-level three-day Strategic Retreat in Buchanan under the galvanizing theme "Forging a Resilient Energy Future."

The event signals a critical push to operationalize the energy-related goals of President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, aiming to reshape the hydrocarbon sector into a catalyst for inclusive development.

Gathering top-tier policymakers, energy sector stakeholders, and global advisors, the retreat represents a turning point in Liberia’s energy narrative.

Acting NOCAL President Fabian M. Lai opened the retreat with a rousing call to action, declaring, "This is Liberia’s moment to transform its energy sector into a powerhouse of equitable growth."

Lai laid out a strategic vision focused on three critical pillars: hydrocarbon exploration, sector governance reform, and the cultivation of strategic partnerships.

He stressed that NOCAL’s renewed energy strategy aligns directly with President Boakai’s blueprint for national renewal, vowing to break the cycle of underutilized resources and missed opportunities.

He credited the steady leadership of NOCAL Board Chairperson Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott, commending her oversight and vision as essential to the company’s renewed focus.

"Her wisdom and guidance," Lai remarked, "have been instrumental in positioning us to become not just a regulatory force, but a national development driver."

In a passionate and sobering follow-up, Cllr. Gloria M. Scott made it clear that oil and gas revenues must be a means to a greater end.

“Our oil and gas resources must directly benefit Liberians through schools, hospitals, and infrastructure not just revenues,” she stated to resounding applause.

Scott’s message was a call for ethical stewardship, transparency, and long-term planning a vision that resonated deeply with attendees seeking to recalibrate the energy sector for future generations.

Throughout the opening day, panel discussions tackled Liberia’s untapped hydrocarbon reserves, challenges in regulatory compliance, and the necessity of building investor confidence through sound environmental and governance practices.

Regional energy experts praised the retreat as a bold step by Liberia to reclaim control over its energy destiny. Many cited parallels with resource-rich African nations that have successfully harnessed their oil and gas sectors for transformative change.

The retreat also highlighted the urgent need for human capital development, with discussions emphasizing capacity building in geosciences, petroleum engineering, and energy law to ensure Liberians themselves are at the helm of sector leadership.

Amid climate concerns, the conference did not shy away from hard conversations on sustainability and environmental impact.

NOCAL officials affirmed their intent to prioritize low-impact exploration technologies and explore renewable energy synergies in the long term.

For communities in oil-rich areas, hope is rising that the retreat will yield more than promises. Civil society leaders in attendance called for community benefit agreements, fair land use policies, and transparency in contract awards to avoid past mistakes.

The second and third days of the retreat are expected to produce a Strategic Energy Roadmap, which will lay out key timelines, regulatory targets, and partnership models to drive Liberia’s transformation from energy dependency to energy resilience.

As Liberia positions itself to join the ranks of hydrocarbon-rich nations translating resource wealth into real progress, all eyes are on Buchanan. The stakes are high, but so is the resolve.

In the words of Fabian M. Lai: “Energy must be a ladder for our people to climb, not a chain that binds them to poverty.