Message from the Chairman of Natural and Mineral Resource Management
Welcome to the Natural and Mineral Resource Management Cluster. We are pleased to have you join a growing community committed to the sustainable, transparent, and innovative development of Liberia’s natural and mineral resources.
Liberia is endowed with abundant natural wealth, and with that endowment comes a shared responsibility to manage these resources in a way that promotes long-term national development, environmental stewardship, and social equity. The Natural and Mineral Resource Management Cluster brings together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and strengthen responsible resource governance.
At the core of our work is the belief that partnership and collaboration are essential to unlocking the full potential of Liberia’s natural resources. By leveraging expertise from both local and diaspora communities, we seek to address critical challenges through policy reform, improved governance, infrastructure investment, and knowledge sharing. Our collective efforts are focused on ensuring that resource development delivers meaningful and lasting benefits to all Liberians.
We invite you to actively engage with the cluster by sharing your expertise, collaborating with like-minded professionals, and contributing to initiatives that promote sustainable development. Together, we can build a future in which Liberia’s natural resources are managed responsibly and equitably for the prosperity of present and future generations.
Vision Statement
To serve as a premier diaspora-driven catalyst for the sustainable, transparent, and innovative management of Liberia’s natural and mineral resources, empowering communities and advancing national prosperity through responsible stewardship.
Mission Statement
The Natural and Mineral Resource Management Cluster is committed to harnessing the expertise, resources, and leadership of Liberians in the diaspora to strengthen governance, management, and long-term development of Liberia’s natural and mineral wealth. The cluster works in partnership with government institutions, local communities, and private stakeholders to promote accountability, build institutional capacity, and ensure that resource development generates lasting social and economic benefits.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the cluster is to bridge global expertise with local implementation in Liberia’s natural resource sector. Specifically, it seeks to:
- Strengthen governance systems, regulatory frameworks, and policy processes for natural and mineral resource management
- Provide technical advisory services and leadership development for government agencies, community leaders, and sector institutions
- Foster partnerships that advance transparency, environmental sustainability, value addition, economic diversification, and equitable resource distribution
- Empower Liberians, both at home and in the diaspora, to participate meaningfully in resource-based development and national decision-making
Chairperson:
Dr. Solomon H. Toweh
Chairman
Dr. Solomon H. Toweh, Ph.D.
Dr. Solomon H. Toweh is a senior economist and natural resource governance specialist with more than 30 years of experience spanning government service, international development, and economic policy advisory. His career reflects a strong commitment to advancing economic reform, institutional strengthening, and sustainable management of natural resources in complex and resource-rich environments.
He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mineral Economics from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. He also earned a Master of Science (MSc) in Mineral Economics from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science (MSc) in Geology from the University of Missouri–Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology), and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geology from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dr. Toweh served as an internationally recruited Mining Concessions Expert for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Liberia, where he advised the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy on mineral policy reform, transparent concession allocation, and the establishment of a modern mining cadastre system. In this role, he played a key part in strengthening governance frameworks and promoting accountability in Liberia’s mining sector.
He also served as a representative under the Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme (GEMAP), where he contributed to advancing public financial management, strengthening procurement and oversight systems, and introducing anti-corruption safeguards essential to post-conflict recovery and institutional credibility.
In the United States, Dr. Toweh has held senior analytical roles within the federal government. At the U.S. Department of Labor, he provided oversight of compensation systems, fiscal controls, and program integrity for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program. His earlier federal service includes economic impact analysis at the Mine Safety and Health Administration, global mineral market and trade policy research at the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and human rights policy analysis at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Throughout his career, Dr. Toweh has demonstrated strong analytical rigor, cross-sector coordination, and a commitment to transparent and accountable governance. His expertise has been recognized by major international institutions, including the World Bank, USAID, and United Nations agencies, where his contributions have supported policy development and institutional reform initiatives.
Dr. Toweh is widely respected for his expertise in mineral economics, governance, and public policy, as well as his dedication to advancing sustainable development and economic resilience.
