He lost in a run-off vote to Weah in 2017.
"Boakai strikes me as a grandfather figure – someone you would trust with your life.
Official results on Friday showed Boakai had 50.9% of the vote over Weah's 49.1%, with more than 99% of votes counted, prompting Weah's concession.
In an interview shortly after the results, a softly-spoken Boakai told Reuters that his primary focus would be to bring the country together after a divisive election.
Boakai, meanwhile, lives in a relatively modest bungalow that has barely changed since he moved in 50 years ago.
Persons:
George Weah, Joseph Boakai, Amara Konneh, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Robtel Neajai, Boakai, Konneh, Unity Party Joseph Boakai, Carielle, Sirleaf's, Weah, Prince Jaygbah, Joe, Edward McAllister, Clelia
Organizations:
Liberia's, College of West, Reuters, African, Bank, Unity Party, Toyota, Thomson
Locations:
MONROVIA, DAKAR, College of West Africa, Tuesday's, Monrovia, Africa's, Americas, Liberia, Warsonga, Sierra Leone, Milan, London, Paris