MONROVIA –The Deputy Minister for Economic Management at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Dehpue Zuo, has described Liberia’s qualification for the Millennium Challenge Compact II (MCC-II), is not only timely but a big push in its national development and investment climate, particularly the focus on power.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Deputy Minister Zuo, who made the remarks Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the start of a two-day Liberia Energy Sector RCA workshop taking place in Margibi County, extolled the partnership and ownership of collaborative efforts by the Governments of the Liberia and the United States.
The forum aims to align methodologies, contribute to a more even awareness of work completed to date (MCC and GoL), and set the stage for additional collective analysis on the days that follow.
It also focuses on the analysis of root causes in the power sector.
Deputy Minister Zuo pointed out that reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity is a cornerstone of the national development agenda, as it underpins economic growth, drives industrialization, supports job creation, and improves access to quality health care, education, and other essential services.
In acknowledgement of the persistent constraints in Liberia’s power sector continue to slow our progress, increase the cost of doing business, and limit opportunities for our people, he said the workshop is therefore both timely and critical.
“It challenges us to look beyond the visible symptoms—high tariffs, low access rates, frequent outages, heavy reliance on imported fuels—and to identify and understand the deeper, structural causes that lie beneath them. Only by confronting these root causes can we design solutions that are realistic, sustainable and aligned with Liberia’s long term development priorities,” said the top MFDP official.
“The Government of Liberia is deeply grateful to the Millennium Challenge Corporation for its continued partnership and support to our energy sector. MCC’s emphasis on rigorous analysis, evidence-based decision-making, and country ownership resonates strongly with our own reform agenda.”
Outcome of the discussion will directly inform policies decision making, strategies and future investments and help guide continued collaboration with MCC and other valued partners.
“I am particularly encouraged by the diversity of stakeholders gathered here today: ministries and agencies of government, the Liberia Electricity Corporation, regulators, private sector operators, development partners, and representatives of civil society. Each of you brings critical insights and experience. Our responsibility is to bring these perspectives together—to listen carefully to one another, to speak frankly, and to be honest about what has worked, what has not, and why.”
Deputy Minister Zuo urged participants to examine the institutional policy and regulatory frameworks, and identify where reforms and better coordination are most urgently needed.
He craved them to assess the financial and operational challenges facing our utilities, including revenue collection, cost recovery, maintenance, planning and governance.
“Analyze the technical and infrastructure gaps across generation, transmission, and distribution that constrain reliable service delivery. You must consider how we can expand access in an inclusive and equitable way, ensuring that women, youth, rural communities, and vulnerable groups also benefit from improved electricity services. Integrate climate resilience and environmental sustainability into all proposed solutions and translate your findings into clear, prioritized recommendations that can inform government policy and guide future sector investments.”
He vowed the Liberia government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for a modern, efficient, and financially viable power sector, adding that the commitment must be matched by sound analysis and practical, implementable actions – the very objective of this workshop.
He pointed out that Liberia’s young and dynamic population is eager for opportunities.
“Our entrepreneurs, farmers, and manufacturers need reliable power to compete and grow. Our hospitals, clinics, and schools need stable electricity to serve our people with dignity and quality. Tackling the root causes of constraints to power is therefore not merely a technical matter—it is central to our broader vision of sustainable, inclusive growth and national transformation,” Deputy Minister Zuo added.
