Liberia: Naymote Urges Swift Implementation of Revenue Sharing Regulations to Advance Inclusive Development

Monrovia – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has welcomed the Government of Liberia’s publication of the Revenue Sharing Regulations, describing it as a historic step toward fiscal decentralization. However, the group is urging swift implementation to ensure citizens feel the impact at the local level.

The regulations, released by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning on August 27, 2024, for the first time grant counties and local administrations significant responsibility in managing their own finances. They provide a framework for distributing revenues from both natural and non-natural resources between the central government and local authorities.

In a release, Naymote said it believes that if fully implemented, the reforms could transform service delivery, strengthen local development, and support the County Development Agendas as well as President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for inclusive growth.

But the group warned that without strong political will, the new law risks becoming another unfulfilled promise. “Citizens have waited too long for fiscal decentralization. Every delay undermines development at the local level and fuels frustration among communities,” said Eddie D. Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote. “The government must match its commitments with action and ensure transparency and accountability in the rollout of these regulations. Liberia cannot afford another decade of promises without action.”

Key Recommendations

Naymote outlined several measures to fast-track implementation. It for the establish a local government fiscal board that will be appointed by the President to oversee grants and ensure equitable allocations, open transitory accounts at the Central Bank for all local governments to receive and distribute funds transparently, build capacity of county treasuries – with stronger procurement, auditing, and financial control systems and activate the equalization fund – as outlined in the Revenue Sharing Law and Local Government Act, to direct resources to marginalized areas.

Historical Context

Naymote reminded the government that Liberia’s highly centralized system of governance, in place since 1847, excluded most citizens from decision-making and development benefits—a major factor behind the country’s civil conflict (1990–2003). The group stressed that decentralization is not optional, but critical to sustaining peace, improving service delivery, and giving power back to the people.

At a recent dialogue on strengthening local government, held in Bentol on August 7, 2025, citizens expressed frustration over delays in implementing the regulations. Naymote joined them in calling on the government to uphold the Revenue Code, the Public Financial Management Law, the Procurement and Concessions Law, and the Local Government Act to guarantee accountability and transparency.

Since its founding in 2001, Naymote has worked to advance democratic governance, political accountability, and civic engagement in Liberia and across Africa.