By Amos Harris
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has submitted a US$45 million draft supplementary budget to the National Legislature, aimed at strengthening social spending, improving service delivery
And supporting critical national priorities under the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The supplementary budget forms part of urgent fiscal matters already placed before lawmakers during the ongoing special legislative session.
The submission, made in fulfillment of Section 23.1 of the Amended and Restated Public Financial Management Law of 2009, seeks legislative approval to expand the current FY2026 national budget and accelerate interventions in key sectors affecting ordinary Liberians.
The FY2026 Draft Supplementary Budget was formally presented on Monday to House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon by Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister Anthony G. Myers, who represented Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, currently leading a Liberian delegation to the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.
According to Acting Minister Myers, the additional fiscal space is expected to come from US$40 million in delayed World Bank budget support originally intended for FY2025, along with US$5 million generated through domestic revenue over performance during the same fiscal year.
He explained that the domestic revenue gains were made possible through stronger tax policy measures and improved tax administration, which helped offset the delayed external support.
A major highlight of the proposal is the government’s renewed emphasis on people centered development, with more than 40 percent of the supplementary allocation US$19.3 million earmarked for health, education, and social development services.
Under the proposal, the education sector will receive US$7.3 million to support teacher enrollment, expand school feeding initiatives and clear outstanding obligations owed to the West African Examinations Council.
The health sector is set to receive US$10.9 million, including funding for drug response programs and the acquisition of land for the construction of Liberia’s proposed National Children’s Hospital.
Additionally, US$1.05 million has been allocated for social development services, aimed at improving community welfare programs and strengthening support systems for vulnerable citizens.
The government is also prioritizing infrastructure and basic services, with US$7.2 million representing 15.9 percent of the supplementary budget set aside for that sector.
Of this amount, US$4.02 million will support the technical preparation and deployment of the government’s “yellow machines” road initiative, which is expected to boost road connectivity and public works across the country.
Beyond social and infrastructure spending, the proposal allocates US$18.5 million to other national priorities, including US$5.1 million for security and rule of law programs to help the government respond to emerging security challenges.
“This budget reflects a deliberate policy shift by this administration toward strengthening social protection systems, enhancing access to essential services, and investing in infrastructure that supports inclusive growth,” Acting Minister Myers said.
In response, Speaker Koon praised President Boakai and the technical team at the Ministry of Finance for what he described as a forward-looking and socially responsive budget intervention.
He specifically lauded allocations for the National Children’s Hospital land acquisition and support for transportation services at the University of Liberia, describing them as important steps toward improving access to education and healthcare.
If approved by lawmakers, Liberia’s FY2026 national budget will rise from US$1.249 billion to US$1.294 billion, representing a 3.6 percent increase.
The adjustment would also mark a 47 percent year-on-year growth, equivalent to approximately US$414 million more than the previous fiscal year, signaling the administration’s aggressive push for expanded development financing.
The supplementary budget is expected to be a key item of debate as lawmakers continue deliberations during the special session convened by President Boakai to address urgent economic and governance issues.
