Reported by: Prince Saah
Monrovia, Liberia – Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, has urged Liberia’s development partners to publicly disclose the full extent of their financial commitments to the nation’s development agenda, arguing that increased accountability and transparency are essential to attaining significant outcomes for the Liberian people.
At the opening of the 2026 United Nations Country Team Annual Retreat in Monrovia on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Ngafuan urged donors to specify the precise sectors, counties, and flagship projects that their funding will support as well as the amount they plan to invest under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
According to the finance minister, this kind of transparency will help the government better coordinate development initiatives, get rid of redundancy, find funding shortfalls, and make sure donor contributions support Liberia’s national interests.
“Development is not measured by the amount of money committed but by the lives that are transformed. Let every dollar invested be aligned with Liberia’s national priorities. Let every intervention produce measurable results. Let every partner remain accountable for the commitments they have made,” he narrated.
In addition to calling for regular progress reports from organizations carrying out programs under the UN Cooperation Framework and the ARREST Agenda, Ngafuan addressed senior UN officials, diplomats, development partners, civil society organizations, and representatives of the private sector. He emphasized that greater mutual accountability is necessary to reassure Liberians that development resources are producing real benefits.
The minister also pointed out that partnerships driven by trade and investment are increasingly replacing traditional aid in the global development scene. He applauded the change but warned against breaking international pledges to safeguard vulnerable populations.
“We must discourage rugged individualism in our development landscape, stressing that the principle of leaving no one behind must remain at the heart of global development efforts despite evolving geopolitical priorities,” the minister added.
Ngafuan thanked the UN and other development partners for helping Liberia through the uncertainty brought on by the reduction of USAID aid soon after the ARREST Agenda was introduced, stating that their unwavering dedication and adaptability enabled the nation to get through a challenging time. Liberia’s finance minister highlighted the government’s economic success, stating that nominal GDP rose from US$4.8 billion to US$5.64 billion, while real GDP improved from 4.0 percent in 2024 to 5.5 percent in 2026.
Additionally, he stated that GDP per capita increased from US$861 to US$964. He attributed these increases to smart macroeconomic management, greater domestic income mobilization, and fiscal changes. The minister claims that the successes show how Liberia is improving domestic resource collection, improving governance, and fostering an atmosphere that is more appealing to private sector investment.
Ngafuan asked the global community to see Africa as a continent of opportunity rather than reliance. “Partnership with Africa is therefore not an act of charity, it is a strategic investment in our shared global future, citing the continent’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and expanding innovation ecosystem,” he said.
Under the theme “Catalyzing Impact & Collective Action in a New Development Reality: Through the UN Cooperation Framework 2026–2030,” the annual UN Country Team retreat unites the government of Liberia, the UN system, and development partners to coordinate priorities for implementing the next five-year cooperation framework which aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development into action.
