MME Warns Against Substandard Energy Products

By Lewis S. Teh

MONROVIA, October 20, 2026 – The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) has called for stronger regulatory standards to protect consumers from substandard energy products and ensure the safety, affordability and reliability of electricity and renewable energy technologies in Liberia.

Deputy Minister for Energy Charles Umehai said effective regulation and enforcement of quality standards are essential to expanding access to clean energy while safeguarding consumers and encouraging investment in the sector.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2026 World Standards Day celebration in Monrovia, Umehai emphasized that standardization remains critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goal Seven (SDG 7), which seeks to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

He stressed that energy products, technologies and services entering the Liberian market must meet acceptable safety, performance and efficiency requirements.

The event, organized by the Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, was held under the theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World: Spotlight on SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy.”

It brought together government officials, private-sector representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, academic institutions and renewable energy stakeholders to discuss the importance of standardization in Liberia’s energy development.

Umehai highlighted the critical role of energy in economic growth, industrial productivity, healthcare, education and the country’s expanding digital economy.

He maintained that achieving universal access to electricity requires more than increasing generation capacity and expanding distribution networks.

“It also demands strong institutional coordination, effective regulatory oversight, compliance with established standards and a sustained commitment to consumer protection,” he said.

The Deputy Minister emphasized the need for closer collaboration between the Ministry of Mines and Energy and LiSA to ensure that imported and locally marketed energy products meet established quality and safety requirements.

He noted that such measures are particularly important as Liberia increases its reliance on renewable energy technologies, including solar power systems and energy-efficient appliances.

According to him, effective standards would help prevent unsafe and poor-quality products from entering the market while strengthening public confidence in clean energy solutions.

Earlier, the Director of the Bureau of Energy Planning, Research and Policy at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Joebarline S. B. Gbozee, called for stronger institutional cooperation to advance Liberia’s energy and sustainable development priorities.

She underscored the significance of World Standards Day in promoting quality assurance, consumer protection and sustainable energy development.

Meanwhile, LiSA Director-General Stephen Y. Mambu, in a statement delivered on his behalf by Chief Technical Officer Melvin Alfred Tokpah, emphasized that internationally recognized standards are essential to consumer safety, product quality and trade competitiveness.

Tokpah warned that the growing use of solar systems and energy-efficient appliances requires effective compliance mechanisms to prevent the circulation of substandard products.

He said stronger enforcement would also encourage consumer confidence and support the development of a more reliable renewable energy market.

The celebration featured technical presentations and demonstrations by Solar-Tech Consultancy, Women in Renewable Energy (WiRE) and Emergi Liberia.

The organizations showcased renewable energy technologies and clean cooking alternatives aimed at expanding access to sustainable energy solutions across Liberia.

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