Monrovia, Liberia – A US$30 million finance deal to rehabilitate the Salayea–Konia Road in Lofa County and a US$700,000 grant to enhance health services along the Gbarnga–Voinjama Road Corridor have been signed by the Government of Liberia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
On Monday, January 26, 2026, the agreement was signed at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) in Monrovia. Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, signed on behalf of the Liberia, while Mr. Abdellah El Bouchikhi, Head of Delegation of BADEA, signed on behalf of his organization.
On behalf of the President and the Liberian people, Minister Ngafuan extended gratitude to BADEA for their recent appraisal mission and the signing of an agreement. With renewed progress on the Gbarnga–Mendicorma Road Corridor, a vital corridor connecting central Liberia to the northwest of the country, Ngafuan reiterated the government’s dedication to infrastructure development.
He considered the difficulties faced by the current government and the actions made to bring the project back to life. “The Gbarnga-Salayea Corridor project was at a standstill when our government took office two years ago. There were problems because we as a government were not fulfilling our commitments,” Minister Ngafuan stated.
In order to fulfill unfulfilled commitments and rebuild trust with development partners, he clarified, strong steps were made. “So, last April, Mr. Giddings, I, and our team worked and traveled to Kuwait to put us back on the path through renegotiations and to ensure that this government meets those previous obligations it inherited,” he said.
He noted that those initiatives produced fruitful outcomes, including reaffirmed commitments and noticeable advancements throughout the corridor. “We are witnessing the actualizations of those commitments today, which were made through those efforts to continue,” he continued.
Minister Ngafuan stated although the government is now making significant progress in finishing the Gbarnga-Salayea portion of the road through the contractors, this government feels that the project should not be halted. Additionally, he expressed gratitude that BADEA is providing health centers along that corridor with an additional US$700,000 in support.
Mr. Abdellah El Bouchikhi, Head of Delegation for BADEA, stated that the government’s efforts and the long-standing partnership between BADEA and the government are responsible for the signing of the funding deal. Mr. El Bouchikhi said, BADEA is pleased to support the Government of Liberia in completing critical infrastructure and social development projects. “This funding demonstrates our dedication to regional integration and sustainable development.”
According to Roland L. Giddings, Minister of Public Works, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) is a “contributive and reliable partner to Liberia’s road sector.” In addition to announcing plans to build toll and rest stations along the Gbarnga–Voinjama Highway, Minister Giddings said that the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has secured financing to draft a national toll strategy.
Minister Giddings said the Ministry of Public Works is creating a toll policy that will permit the installation of rest and toll stations on the Gbarnga–Voinjama Highway with the help we have received. He pointed out that the program will be essential to maintaining sustainable infrastructure.
