If you’re checking the news or looking at a map of West Africa right now, you’re probably asking a simple question: who is the president of Liberia? It’s a fair thing to wonder. For a long time, the global spotlight was on the soccer-star-turned-politician George Weah. But things changed. Honestly, the answer today is Joseph Nyuma Boakai. He is the 26th president of the Republic of Liberia.
He isn't just a new face.
Actually, Boakai is a veteran. People in Monrovia often call him "Oldman Boakai" or "Sleepy Joe," though that last one is usually a jab from his critics. He took the oath of office on January 22, 2024, after a nail-biting election that saw him beat the incumbent by a tiny margin. We’re talking about a difference of about one percentage point.
The Current President of Liberia: A Man with a Plan
Joseph Boakai didn't just stumble into the Executive Mansion. He’s 81 years old now. He’s been around. He served as Vice President for 12 years under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf—Africa’s first female head of state. Think about that for a second. While the world was watching Liberia recover from a brutal civil war, Boakai was right there in the room, helping to steady the ship.
He runs the country under the banner of the Unity Party.
When he won, he promised something called the ARREST Agenda. It sounds intense, right? It's actually an acronym. It stands for Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. Basically, he’s trying to fix the foundational stuff that makes a country actually work.
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You’ve probably heard people say Liberia is "rich but poor." It’s got rubber, timber, and gold, yet most people struggle. Boakai’s whole pitch is that the problem isn't the resources; it's the leadership. He’s been pushing hard on "restoring the lost image" of the country.
What’s Happening Right Now in 2026?
We are officially two years into his six-year term. If you follow the "President Meter" reports—which are basically report cards for African leaders—the results are a bit of a mixed bag. A recent report from Naymote Partners for Democratic Development pointed out that while Boakai has started over 300 different interventions, only a tiny fraction are fully "finished."
That’s kinda how government works, isn't it?
One big thing he did recently was host the 2025/2026 Diaspora Annual Return. In January 2026, he stood on the grounds of the Executive Mansion and thanked Liberians living abroad for coming back to invest. He’s trying to tap into that "diaspora money" to jumpstart the economy.
There’s also the UN thing. In a massive win for his administration, Liberia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. For a country that once had UN peacekeepers on its own soil, sitting at that table in New York is a huge deal. It’s like the ultimate "we’re back" moment.
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Why People Keep Talking About His Health
You can't talk about who is the president of Liberia without mentioning the "elephant in the room." His age.
During his inauguration back in 2024, things got scary. It was a scorching hot day. Boakai was giving his speech, and he suddenly couldn't finish. He had to be helped away. His team said it was heat exhaustion. His critics said he was too old for the job.
Since then, every time he travels to the U.S. or Europe for a "working visit," the rumors start flying. Is he seeing a doctor? Is he fit to lead? So far, he’s kept a busy schedule. He even met with the U.S. President in July 2025 to talk about trade and regional security.
The Battle Against "The Monster"
Boakai calls corruption "the monster."
He hasn't just talked about it; he’s actually swung the axe a few times. Early in his term, he suspended over 450 officials for failing to declare their assets. He also ordered an audit of the Central Bank. That’s a bold move in a country where political favors are often the currency of the realm.
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But it’s tough. People are impatient.
Prices for rice and fuel are still high. The roads in the interior of the country are still, frankly, a mess during the rainy season. Boakai’s Vice President, Jeremiah Koung, has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting on the ground, visiting rural areas and trying to keep the political base happy.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
- Inaugurated: January 22, 2024.
- Political Party: Unity Party (UP).
- Key Ally: Jeremiah Koung (Vice President).
- Primary Goal: The ARREST Agenda.
- Major Milestone: UN Security Council seat for 2026.
What Most People Get Wrong About Liberian Politics
There’s this idea that because George Weah was a celebrity, the country was just a playground. It wasn't. The transition from Weah to Boakai was actually incredibly peaceful. Weah conceded before all the votes were even counted. In a region where coups have been happening left and right—looking at you, Mali and Guinea—Liberia’s 2023 election was a masterclass in democracy.
Boakai isn't a revolutionary. He’s a bureaucrat. He’s the guy who knows which levers to pull because he’s been in the building for forty years.
Actionable Insights for Following Liberia
If you're looking to keep tabs on what the president is doing, don't just look at international news. They only cover the big scandals.
- Check the Executive Mansion Website: They post daily press releases about who the president is appointing and what laws he's signing.
- Follow the ARREST Agenda Progress: Watch for news on the "Bao Chico" pier facility or the new Anti-Corruption Court. These are the "litmus tests" for his presidency.
- Monitor the UN Security Council: Since Liberia is on the council for 2026, their votes on global issues will tell you a lot about Boakai’s foreign policy.
The reality is that Joseph Boakai is leading a country that is trying to grow up. It’s a slow, grinding process. Whether he has the stamina to finish his term or the political capital to actually stop "the monster" of corruption remains to be seen. But for now, if someone asks you who is the president of Liberia, you know it’s the man who promised to "Think, Love, and Build Liberia."