The administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has entered into a high-profile lobbying agreement with Washington-based Ballard Partners, committing $100,000 per month—a total of $1.2 million annually—to strengthen Liberia’s ties with the United States.
According to The Liberian Investigator,an online investigative news website, the contract, signed on May 18, 2026, through the Office of the President and registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) with the U.S. Department of Justice, designates Liberia as the foreign principal. Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Samuel A. Stevquoah signed on behalf of the Liberian government, while firm founder Brian Ballard represented Ballard Partners. The filing, registration No. 7070, was made public on May 29, 2026.
Scope of Services
Under the agreement, Ballard Partners will provide advisory and advocacy support to Liberia in its engagement with U.S. government officials, business entities, and non-governmental organizations. The stated objective is to enhance U.S.-Liberia bilateral relations.
The contract runs for an initial one-year term, automatically renewing unless terminated with 30 days’ notice. Liberia’s first quarterly payment of $300,000 was due upon execution. Notably, the deal excludes Ballard Media Group’s communications services, meaning any public relations work would require a separate arrangement.
Continuity and Cost Increase
This is not Liberia’s first engagement with Ballard Partners. Records show the firm was first retained in June 2022 under former President George Weah’s administration, at a rate of $75,000 per month (or $900,000 annually).
That earlier contract, signed by then-Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah and then-Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean, covered similar services focused on trade, investment, and bilateral ties.
The new arrangement represents a 33 percent increase in monthly fees compared to the 2022 deal. Unlike the earlier contract, which involved both the Finance and Justice ministries, the 2026 agreement was executed solely through the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.
Political Context
Ballard Partners is widely recognized for its ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Brian Ballard chaired Trump’s 2016 campaign in Florida and remains a prominent Republican lobbyist. Analysts note that Liberia’s decision to renew ties with Ballard reflects a strategic calculation about access to the Trump administration, which returned to office in January 2025.
Observers suggest the timing—16 months into Trump’s second term—aligns with a broader trend of African governments seeking Washington access through firms with Republican connections.
Compliance Questions
Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concessions Act requires competitive bidding and oversight by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice for contracts exceeding $250,000. While the 2022 deal met those requirements, the 2026 contract shows no documented involvement from the Finance Ministry or evidence of competitive procedures.
This has raised questions among governance experts about compliance with procurement regulations and transparency in state contracting.
The Boakai administration has not yet publicly addressed concerns about procurement oversight.
For now, the deal underscores Liberia’s continued reliance on U.S.-based lobbying firms to advance its foreign policy and economic agenda.
