By Amos Harris
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has officially launched the Liberia National Economic Students Hub (LNESH), a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young Liberians to actively participate in shaping the country’s economic future.
The groundbreaking launch, held at the University of Liberia on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, marked another major step in the government’s drive to strengthen youth inclusion in national development and economic governance.
Held under the theme “Collaborating for Solutions: Youth Perspectives on Liberia’s Economic Future,” the event attracted senior government officials, development partners, economists, private sector representatives, and hundreds of students from colleges and universities across Liberia.
The atmosphere at the university auditorium was filled with excitement and optimism as students gathered to witness the unveiling of a platform designed to amplify youth voices in national policy discussions.
Organized through the Department of Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen economic awareness, leadership development, and civic engagement among young Liberians.
Stakeholders described the launch as a historic and forward-looking initiative capable of transforming how students engage with Liberia’s economic future.
Officially launching the program, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive national growth.
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that young people remain central to Liberia’s development agenda and must be given opportunities to contribute meaningful ideas toward economic transformation and national progress.
According to Minister Ngafuan, the Liberia National Economic Students Hub will serve as a strategic platform to educate students and young professionals about government economic activities, national development programs, and policy formulation.
He noted that the initiative is intended to nurture a new generation of economically informed Liberian youth capable of contributing innovative solutions to national challenges and promoting sustainable development.
The Finance Minister further disclosed that the initiative will not remain limited to Monrovia alone, revealing plans to decentralize the program to counties across Liberia.
He explained that expanding the initiative nationwide will ensure equal opportunities for students from different regions to participate in economic discussions and contribute to policy conversations shaping Liberia’s future.
He assured participants that the government remains committed to ensuring that no young Liberian is left behind in the country’s development process.
The launch ceremony also brought together several prominent personalities from Liberia’s economic and financial sectors, including Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Henry F. Saamoi, former Central Bank Governor Mills Jones, and Prince Moye.
Representatives from international development institutions, the private sector, and Liberia’s academic community also participated in the high-profile event, further highlighting the growing collaboration between government and stakeholders in promoting youth-centered development initiatives.
Delivering the opening statement, Dr. P. Padolo Moye praised the Ministry for creating an initiative that directly connects students with policymakers, economists, and development practitioners.
He emphasized that empowering young people through education and policy engagement remains essential to Liberia’s long-term growth and stability.
According to him, the Liberia National Economic Students Hub represents a major milestone in strengthening intellectual participation and innovation among Liberia’s youth population.
An overview of the initiative was presented by Albertha B. Yengbe, who outlined the vision and long-term objectives of the hub.
Madam Yengbe explained that the platform is designed to promote economic awareness, policy literacy, research collaboration, and leadership development among students and young professionals.
She added that participants will have opportunities to engage in mentorship programs, educational forums, and policy discussions that encourage critical thinking and solution-oriented dialogue.
The launch ceremony also featured a major interactive panel discussion on “Domestic Resource Mobilization in Response to Global Instability,” attracting strong participation from experts and stakeholders.
Representatives from the Liberia Revenue Authority, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, European Union, and the African Development Bank discussed strategies for strengthening domestic revenue generation, improving economic resilience.
Including promoting sustainable development amid growing global economic uncertainties.
Participants described the event as educational, inspiring, and a powerful symbol of hope for Liberia’s emerging generation of leaders, innovators, and economists.
