Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has identified the World Bank as the country’s “largest multilateral partner.”
“If we look back, from where we came, from war, recovery and now on the part of development, we cannot write Liberia’s story without delegation pages and chapters to the role of the World Bank,” stated Prime Minister Ngafuan.
Minister Ngafuan stated during the World Bank’s visit to the Ministry of Finance in Monrovia on Monday, January 13, 2025, that the visit coincided with the country’s preparations to launch its ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the County Development Agenda, and that the World Bank has decided to align its new program with the AAID.
He explained that the World Bank has done and is doing well in various areas, not only highways. The finance minister said that the projects include vital areas such as infrastructure (roads and energy), health system strengthening and disease monitoring, agriculture and fisheries, education, social protection, governance, water, women’s empowerment, and finance.
He noted that the World Bank has been Liberia’s development partner since 1962, with a current portfolio of 19 ongoing projects totaling US$922 million. Minister Ngafuan praised the World Bank for its assistance for the energy industry, noting that electricity availability in Liberia is now about 33%, with an objective to reach 80%.
The Minister defined the objective as “huge,” but stated that collaboration with the World Bank will be possible.
“Thank you for your outstanding efforts to ensure that the budget assistance funds was released in December. He mentioned that there was a budget of $40 million, with $20 million set up for disaster relief.
Liberia’s Finance Minister stated that he will work with the World Bank’s Vice President and his staff to ensure that projects move forward and are delivered on schedule.
Ousman Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa, stated that he intends to visit Liberia on a frequent basis to engage in policy and other agendas. He stated that they are in Liberia to educate citizens on how the World Bank can form new partnerships to promote the ARREST Agenda, among other things.
Diagana noted that the group will tour significant projects in Liberia, such as the Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant and Afropa Factory Liberia, Inc, to highlight the World Bank Group’s initiatives in energy access and private sector growth. He noted that the World Bank Group is presently investing in Liberia’s energy industry to help the country meet its ambitious electricity access goals.
The World Bank’s Vice President for Western and Central Africa stated that the IFC has invested in Afropa, one of Liberia’s top local enterprises with diverse activities in car trade, real estate, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), and drinks.
During the visit, Mr. Diagana and Mr. Tafara met with President Joseph N. Boakai, top officials from the Liberian government, and the Development Trust Fund Partnership Council to review the World Bank Group’s participation in Liberia for next five years.
