MONROVIA — Liberia has recorded a major breakthrough in its drive to restore and expand critical national infrastructure following the signing of a new 12.8 million United States dollar financing agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and other Arab development partners to advance the second phase of the Gbarnga Mendikorma Road Project.
By: Julius Konton
The agreement was signed Friday in Monrovia and brings renewed momentum to a highway project widely regarded as one of the most strategic road corridors in the country. Once completed, the road is expected to improve connectivity between central Liberia and the northern border with Sierra Leone while unlocking major agricultural zones and strengthening regional trade.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Government of Liberia, representatives of the Kuwait Fund, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Saudi Fund for Development and other long standing Arab partners who have supported Liberia’s development agenda over several decades. The new deal signals a revival of a project that experienced prolonged delays due to fiscal challenges and debt related constraints.
Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the agreement as a significant achievement that reflects renewed confidence by development partners in the current administration. He said the government is committed to accelerating stalled infrastructure projects and rebuilding strong and credible partnerships that can drive sustainable economic growth.
Ngafuan disclosed that the government has now mobilized more than 80 million United States dollars in total commitments from development partners to support the northern road corridor. He explained that the latest financing from the Kuwait Fund complements earlier commitments of 30 million dollars from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, 30 million dollars from the OPEC Fund and an initial 10 million dollars from the Saudi Fund for Development, with additional support expected in the future.
According to the finance minister, the new funding will ensure the full completion of the Salayea Konia segment of the project, covering approximately 50 kilometers of roadway that is critical to opening access to some of Liberia’s most productive agricultural areas. He said the government is determined to avoid further work stoppages and noted that development partners have expressed readiness to continue supporting the project until the road reaches Voinjama. He added that a recently ratified private financing agreement approved by the Legislature will support subsequent phases beyond that point.
The Gbarnga Mendikorma road corridor has long been identified as a national priority because of its economic and regional importance. Feasibility studies were first conducted in the early 2010s with nearly two million United States dollars provided by Arab development partners for technical assessments. Throughout that period, the Kuwait Fund remained a key supporter and maintained its engagement even during the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016 when many development projects across the region were suspended.
The project later stalled as Liberia faced difficulties meeting debt service obligations, leading the Kuwait Fund to suspend disbursements. Ngafuan recalled that Liberia’s debt exposure to the fund had reached unsustainable levels at one point, but Kuwait agreed to waive and cancel a significant portion of the debt as part of broader relief efforts. He said the government has since restructured its debt arrangements, restored confidence and remained current on all obligations, creating the conditions for renewed and expanded support.
Ngafuan emphasized that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr considers road infrastructure a central pillar of Liberia’s economic transformation and a core component of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. He said the administration views road development as the foundation for national growth, trade expansion and regional integration, noting that the government has shifted from prolonged planning to accelerated execution.
Minister of Public Works Roland Lafayette Giddings welcomed the revival of the project and thanked the Kuwait Fund and its partners for their long standing commitment to Liberia. He noted that Kuwait has been a reliable development partner since the 1970s and continues to play a vital role in rebuilding national infrastructure. He said the Gbarnga Mendikorma road passes through one of Liberia’s most important agricultural belts and has the potential to significantly improve livelihoods and local economies. He credited the Kuwait Fund for financing the original feasibility studies and for helping to assemble the consortium that has brought the project to its current stage.
The head of the Kuwait Fund delegation reaffirmed the institution’s long term commitment to Liberia and described the agreement as evidence of a strong and trusted partnership. He said the fund remains fully engaged in supporting the road project and is also open to considering additional priority projects identified by the Liberian government. He stressed that the signing reflects confidence in Liberia’s development direction and a shared commitment to sustainable growth.
Once completed, the Gbarnga Mendikorma highway is expected to improve market access for farmers in Bong, Lofa and surrounding counties, reduce transportation costs and travel time and strengthen regional trade links between Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The government says construction is progressing steadily and anticipates that the first major milestone with the completion of the Gbarnga Salayea stretch will be achieved in the coming months as Liberia advances its broader infrastructure expansion agenda.
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