Summary:

On 23 July 2025, Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, welcomed US presidential adviser Massad Boulos in Tripoli for high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral economic relations.  

The meeting marked a significant step forward, with Libya unveiling a $70 billion investment portfolio designed to attract U.S. companies to key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, healthcare, and minerals. 

During his visit, Mr. Boulos, a relative and trusted emissary of US President Trump, also held talks with the Chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), Masoud Suleiman. The NOC outlined its strategic goal of boosting national oil production to two million barrels per day by 2030, while also emphasizing plans to expand the petrochemical industry. 

In parallel, Libyan authorities and US partners, particularly Libya’s Mellitah Oil & Gas Company and US-based Hill International, signed a new offshore energy cooperation agreement, focusing on joint development of gas reserves and expansion of offshore infrastructure. 

The deal includes feasibility studies and collaborative projects aimed at boosting Libya’s hydrocarbon production and long-term energy capacity.  

Outlook: 

This recent Libya–US engagement suggests a renewed American interest in Washington, DC in stabilizing and economically re-engaging with Libya amid growing global competition over strategic energy and infrastructure projects.  

If implemented, even in part, the proposed $70 billion portfolio and offshore energy deal could significantly boost Libya’s economy, improve investor confidence, and help position the country as a key energy partner in the Mediterranean region and globally. 

However, the realization of these ambitious plans will depend on Libya’s internal political stability, security guarantees for foreign firms, and the country’s ability to deliver regulatory and institutional reforms. Washington, in turn, may leverage this partnership to counter growing Russian and Chinese influence in North Africa, while securing alternative energy sources and strategic footholds in the region. 

If sustained, this economic diplomacy could mark a turning point in Libya’s post-conflict recovery and reshape US policy in North Africa toward more long-term, development-focused engagement. 

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