IPNEWS: Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has reaffirmed Liberia’s unwavering commitment to continuing to make progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), declaring that the country is taking greater ownership of its development agenda despite mounting global economic challenges.
Presenting Liberia’s Third Voluntary National Review at the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development in New York on Friday, July 10, 2026, Minister Ngafuan told delegates that Liberia remains firmly focused on delivering inclusive and sustainable development for its people.
Liberia joined 35 other countries presenting their Voluntary National Reviews under this year’s HLPF theme, “Transformative, Equitable, Innovative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda.”
Minister Ngafuan highlighted the Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (2025–2029) as Liberia’s roadmap for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that the National Development Plan contains 375 development interventions, with approximately 83 percent directly aligned to specific SDG targets, demonstrating Government’s commitment to measurable and accountable development.
The Minister reported that Liberia continues to make steady progress in improving the quality of life for its citizens. The country’s Human Development Index now stands at 0.510, while the national poverty rate has fallen from 34 percent in 2020 to 29.6 percent in 2024, reflecting continued improvements in livelihoods and economic opportunities.
He further noted that Liberia’s economy has remained resilient despite global economic uncertainties, with GDP growth projected at 5.5 percent in 2026 and inflation declining to 5.3 percent, significantly lower than the double-digit inflation experienced in 2023.
Minister Ngafuan also highlighted progress across several sectors. Maternal mortality continues to decline, disease surveillance systems are now capable of detecting outbreaks within 24 to 48 hours, school enrollment is increasing, and expanded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs are equipping thousands of young Liberians with practical skills for employment.
The review further revealed that mobile money accounts have increased from 1.5 million in 2020 to more than 3.5 million today, expanding financial inclusion, particularly for rural communities.
Liberia also reported encouraging progress on several Sustainable Development Goals. Access to safe drinking water has increased to 78.8 percent of the population, while sanitation coverage has improved from 18 percent to 28 percent. Electricity access has expanded from 32.7 percent to 38 percent, supported by increased generation capacity of 146 megawatts, driven largely by renewable energy investments.
Road infrastructure continues to improve, with paved roads increasing from approximately 1,300 kilometers in 2023 to about 1,450 kilometers by the end of 2025, while Government remains on course to achieve its target of 2,000 kilometers by 2029.
Minister Ngafuan also informed delegates that 4G telecommunications coverage now reaches 80 percent of Liberia, construction has begun on the country’s first Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, urban slum conditions continue to decline, and domestic revenue has grown from US$606.3 million in 2023 to more than US$840 million in 2025, raising Liberia’s revenue-to-GDP ratio to 15.8 percent.
While acknowledging these achievements, the Minister said Liberia continues to face significant external challenges, including the withdrawal of support from one of its largest development partners in 2025, rising global fuel and food prices resulting from the Middle East crisis, and increasing debt servicing obligations.
Despite these setbacks, he emphasized that Liberia remains committed to pursuing sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient development.
“Liberia is not retreating. We are taking ownership. We are modernizing tax administration, accelerating digital transformation, strengthening climate resilience, and mobilizing more domestic resources to finance our own development priorities. Our commitment to ensuring that no Liberian is left behind remains steadfast,” Minister Ngafuan said.
Minister Ngafuan also underscored that Liberia’s Third Voluntary National Review was developed through a highly participatory process, with more than 40 percent of consultations led by civil society organizations, women, youth, and persons with disabilities, ensuring that the report reflects the voices and aspirations of Liberians from across the country.
Concluding his presentation, the Minister called for stronger international partnerships, increased private sector investment, innovative financing mechanisms, technology transfer, and enhanced global cooperation to help accelerate Liberia’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Also on Liberia’s delegation for the presentation of the country’s Voluntary National Review Report at the High-Level Forum were Hon. R. Matenokay Tingban, Minister of Mines and Energy and Hon. Cooper Kruah, Minister of Labor.
