Liberian Delegation Takes Decentralization Study Tour To Rwanda’s Local Government Structures

RWANDA — OCTOBER 26, 2026 — Liberia’s study tour of Rwanda’s decentralization system has taken the delegation to the country’s Western Provence, Nyabihu District where officials are examining how local governments implement national development programs and improve services for communities.

The delegation to the Western Nyabihu District of Rwanda, led by Montserrado County Superintendent Whroway Bryant, is engaging local authorities to understand how Rwanda’s decentralization framework translates national policies into practical results at the district level.

The visit forms part of Liberia’s broader effort to learn from Rwanda’s experience in local governance, fiscal decentralization, public financial management and community development.

Speaking during the engagement, Superintendent Bryant described the Liberian delegation as a team of professionals and technocrats working within the country’s local government and public accountability systems.

The delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Internal Audit Agency and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Bryant indicated that the team had held technical discussions with key Rwandan institutions, including the Rwanda Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

He intimated that the engagements were intended to help Liberian officials understand the national strategies and programs Rwanda has implemented to improve living conditions in local communities.

“We want to understand the work being done in the different districts, the interventions being implemented and how these national programs have impacted the lives of ordinary people,” Bryant said.

He explained that visiting local government structures would allow the delegation to move beyond policy discussions and examine how decentralization works in practice.

The team is particularly interested in Rwanda’s fiscal decentralization arrangements, including how local authorities plan and manage resources, implement development programs and respond to community needs.

The Montserrado County administrator disclosed that the visit would also give members of the delegation an opportunity to seek clarification, exchange experiences and identify practical lessons that could inform Liberia’s decentralization process.

Rwandan Authorities Welcome Knowledge Exchange

Welcoming the Liberian delegation, the Vice Mayor of Nyabihu in charge of Economic Development, Mr. Jean Claude Haanabakize, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the two African countries.

Speaking on behalf of the district’s leadership, Mr. Haanabakize said the exchange would allow both sides to share experiences, discuss challenges and explore approaches to local administration, community development and citizen participation.

He averred that the visit represented more than a formal engagement, offering an opportunity to build relationships and encourage cooperation around sustainable development.

Mr. Haanabakize also expressed hope that the discussions would produce practical outcomes and lasting partnerships that benefit communities in both Rwanda and Liberia.

During the visit, district officials introduced members of their administration and prepared to brief the delegation on local governance structures, planning, finance, education, social affairs and community development.

The engagement is expected to help the Liberian team better understand how district authorities coordinate development priorities and work across administrative units to deliver public services.

The study tour coming a t the government continues efforts to advance decentralization under the Local Government Act of 2018 and strengthen the role of county and local authorities in development planning and service delivery across the country.

This reform agenda seeks to bring governance closer to citizens, improve accountability and give local communities a greater role in decisions affecting their lives.