IPNEWS: Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has disclosed that Liberia’s participation in the 2025 IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., is yielding promising outcomes for national development.
Speaking on Prime FM’s “Night Time Heat,” Minister Ngafuan highlighted Liberia’s active international engagement, affirming that the country presented strategic updates to key partners, donor agencies, and financial institutions during the Spring Meeting. These updates, Hon. Ngafuan said, were aimed at aligning global support with Liberia’s pressing development priorities.
Continued IMF Support and New World Bank Program.
Minister Ngafuan reaffirmed Liberia’s ongoing inclusion in the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF), a critical program that supports countries facing economic challenges amid global uncertainty. He also revealed that Liberia is working with the World Bank to launch a new initiative under the Resilience and Sustainability Trust Fund, scheduled to begin in 2026. The program aims to enhance long-term economic stability and resilience.
In one of the most significant takeaways, Minister Ngafuan announced that a $490 million support commitment is underway with the World Bank. The funds will focus on five priority sectors: energy, education (especially reducing learning poverty), agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), and governance.
Infrastructure Boost and Arab Partnership
On infrastructure, the Minister disclosed that the Gbarnga–Sanoyea road project is moving forward, backed by a consortium of Arab lenders led by the Kuwait Fund. This, he said, represents an important step in expanding Liberia’s road network and unlocking rural economic potential.
The recent repayment of loans to Kuwait by the Government of Liberia has unlocked funds that will enable contractors to commence overlay works on the Gbarnga to Sanoyea road, Minister Ngafuan has confirmed.
In addition, Hon. Ngafuan disclosed that financing arrangements are now being finalized with Arab lenders to support the pavement of the Sanoyea to Voinjama corridor, a critical segment of the broader Gbarnga to Mandikonma road project.
The Lights Are Back — And So Is Economic Momentum
Back home, tangible signs of progress are emerging in the heart of the capital. Monrovia’s iconic Broad Street is once again aglow. From Randall to Mechlin Street, once-darkened shops and market stalls now shine under the renewed glow of public electricity. The impact goes beyond aesthetics.
Street vendors linger longer. Shops remain open late. And the familiar hum of generators is slowly giving way to more affordable public power. These developments reflect a growing sense of optimism.
Quiet Signs of Growth
Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan told the “Night Heat” that Liberia’s strategic international engagements are beginning to yield tangible results, particularly in the electricity sector. He noted that street vendors are now able to stay longer doing businesses in the night, and shops are extending their operating hours thanks to improved power supply.
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that while Liberia’s economic recovery remains modest, the return of reliable electricity is helping to restore consumer confidence and enabling small businesses to flourish. He described this quiet but meaningful progress as evidence that Liberia is taking deliberate steps—both domestically and through international partnerships—to stabilize and grow its economy.
