Liberia President Issues Directive Limiting Cabinet Foreign Travel

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. issued a cabinet directive on 29 May 2026 that restricts official foreign travel by Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials. The directive states that no official may travel abroad without the President's expressed prior approval.

It also introduces a "Virtual Participation First Policy" that directs ministries, agencies, and commissions to use video platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams for international meetings whenever practical.

All travel requests must now include the strategic relevance of the trip to Liberia, estimated costs, funding sources, delegation composition, and an explanation of why virtual participation would not suffice. Physical attendance will be approved only when it is "demonstrably necessary" and clearly in Liberia's national interest.

The directive limits most officials to one official foreign trip per quarter unless the President grants an exception. Requests will be denied if the absence is expected to affect Cabinet deliberations, institutional leadership, or urgent government functions.

Implementation will be supervised jointly by the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and the Cabinet Office. The President stated that officials are expected to comply in the interest of responsible governance and prudent management of public resources.