Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia has transformed from a “problem child of the region” to a continental hub for significant policy discussions and infrastructural collaboration, according to Augustine Kpah Ngafuna, Minister of Finance and Development Planning.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Minister Ngafuna spoke at the inauguration of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association’s (ARMFA) 22nd Annual General Meeting, which took place at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. Minister Ngafuna emphasized Liberia’s developing reputation as a reliable location for high-level regional engagements in front of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, senior Liberian officials, regional ministers, and foreign partners.
He pointed out that President Boakai’s greater stability and leadership are demonstrated by the fact that Monrovia is hosting a number of significant African and ECOWAS meetings this year, including the ARMFA conference.
According to Minister Ngafuna, the Boakai administration views roads as the foundation of Liberia’s economic development.
He also reminded the audience that President Boakai had earlier stated that “roads, roads, and roads” were his top three priority; this dedication is currently reflected in national policy. Liberia has set aside about 25% of its public investment budget for road infrastructure under the 2024–2029 National Development Plan—one of the highest percentages in the region.
He added that in addition to new annual maintenance programs financed by the National Road Fund (NRF), the government is currently rebuilding more than 400 kilometers of important routes connecting Monrovia to Ganta, Harper, and the Ivorian border.
According to him, these initiatives show Liberia’s conviction that regional integration, inclusive growth, and national cohesion all depend on road development. He highlighted Liberia’s collaboration with neighbors Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire on ECOWAS corridors including the Monrovia-Abidjan and Monrovia–Freetown–Conakry lines, which are essential conduits for trade and travel throughout West Africa.
ARMFA and the Continental Reference Study on African Road Maintenance Funds, which was supported by the European Union, were also commended by Liberia’s finance minister, who called them a significant step toward modernizing road financing and governance throughout the continent.
According to him, Liberia is actively taking part in the research to bolster its own reforms. But he also praised Madam Josita Niuvelwento, the National Road Fund Manager for Liberia, whose efforts he said brought the ARMFA assembly to Monrovia.
Minister Ngafuna reiterated the government’s dedication to sustainable road development, stating that Liberia will keep collaborating with ARMFA, ECOWAS, and development partners to construct robust, well-funded roads that foster prosperity and integration.
According to the Chinese, building roads is the first step towards progress. Therefore, let’s work together to construct African and Liberian roads and improve the lives of our people by bringing them out of poverty and into prosperity,” he said.
