New Frontier Developments Limited (NFD) and Liberia-based Ducor have signed a Joint Venture Agreement to establish Billhook Foods Limited, a new agribusiness company aimed at strengthening Liberia’s rice value chain and enhancing the country’s food security.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on agricultural development and investment in Liberia.
Under the agreement, Billhook Foods Limited will operate across the entire rice value chain, including rice importation, production, processing and distribution.
The company will commence operations with a US$10 million rice importation and distribution programme in Liberia, with plans to expand the business to US$50 million per quarter as operations scale up.
The partners said the initiative is designed not only to improve the supply of quality rice in Liberia but also to stimulate local production, support farmers, create employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
They described the joint venture as a major milestone in their shared commitment to building a sustainable agribusiness platform capable of delivering long-term value for Liberia and the wider West African region.
According to the companies, the incorporation of Billhook Foods Limited and the signing of the Joint Venture Agreement represent the foundation of what is expected to become a transformative investment in Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The partnership is expected to strengthen Liberia’s rice value chain by combining commercial investment with long-term plans to expand domestic production and processing capacity, while supporting broader efforts to improve food security and rural livelihoods.
