ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Ngafuan, has been elected Chair of Constituency 15 of the African Development Bank (AfDB), a regional bloc within the Bank.

By Jaheim Tumu-jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaomline.com 

 The Constituency, made up of Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, plays a strategic role in shaping financial governance, regional integration, and development financing within the AfDB framework.

 The election, which took place during the 2025 Constituency Annual Meetings on the margins of the AfDB Annual Meetings in Abidjan, hands Liberia a pivotal leadership seat at the continental financial institution.

Minister Ngafuan will formally assume the role on August 1, 2025, replacing Sierra Leone’s Finance Minister, Sheku A.F. Bangura, whose tenure ends this year.

 The development marks a continued rise in regional influence for Liberia’s top fiscal authority. Ngafuan is currently serving as Chairperson of the AfDB Board of Governors’ Standing Committee on Conditions of Service for Elected Officers—a position he secured during the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, in April.

 Ngafuan’s rise coincides with the end of a widely commended tenure by Rufus N. Darkortey, Liberia’s outgoing Executive Director at the AfDB for Constituency 15.

 Darkortey will vacate his post on August 1, wrapping up a tenure that many insiders say elevated the voice and visibility of the Constituency at the highest levels of Bank decision-making.

 He expressed gratitude to member states and paid tribute to former President George Weah and President Joseph Boakai for their trust and support.

 “Over the past three years, your confidence elevated our constituency’s voice in the governance and programming of the Bank. Your collective leadership redefined what is possible when countries act in unity.”

“I remain grateful for the trust reposed in me by two administrations committed to Africa’s progress,” Darkortey noted.

 Under his leadership, Constituency 15 reportedly enhanced its policymaking influence, sharpened its engagement in key AfDB initiatives, and fostered greater cooperation among member states.

 However, as the Constituency prepares for new leadership, Ngafuan pledged to build on the momentum of unity and development achieved under Darkortey’s stewardship, while championing Africa’s broader development agenda.

 Minister Ngafuan’s leadership credentials are already drawing attention. On Friday, May 30, he is slated to participate in a major AfDB knowledge event on “Building Effective Institutions in Africa for Harnessing Capital for Development.”

 He will share the stage with Ivorian Finance Minister Niale Kaba, Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Dr. Ryadh M. Alkhareif, and other top African financial minds.

The new Chair pledged to advance the regional group’s development objectives and ensure its voice remains central in the AfDB’s broader agenda to finance sustainable transformation across the continent.

With a strong technocratic background and now holding two strategic positions at the AfDB, Ngafuan’s growing presence signals Liberia’s expanding footprint on the continent’s economic and governance stage.

MONROVIA- The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), Dr. Lawrence D. Sekajipo, has disclosed US$255,000 grant approval from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the establishment of Liberia’s Regulatory Database Management information system (RDBMS).

By Francis G. Boayue

The Regulatory Database Management information system, when set up, is expected to digitize the LERC’s internal processes which will enable the Commission to improve operational efficiency, achieve higher productivity, and reduce turnaround times in business processes.

Dr. Lawrence D. Sekajipo, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of LERC, addressing a press conference on Thursday in Monrovia, said that in April 2023, the African Development Bank approved a US$255,000 grant for the establishment of RDBMIS at the Commission.

According to Dr. Sekajipo, the RDBMIS will improve the Commission’s operational efficiency and quality of regulatory decisions as indicated by the three key regulatory indexes – governance, substance, and outcomes; describing the process as a major milestone in the history of the Commission.

He further revealed that the LERC has received a two-man delegation from Iridis

Technologies, a Ghanaian-based technology firm that specializes in products and automation/general robotics was hired by the AfDB through a Competitive procurement process to implement the project.

“Dr. Kofi Sarpong Adu-Manu is the Lead Consultant and Program Director

of Iridis Technologies,” he stated.

LERC Chairperson indicated that the delegation is in Liberia for the inception phase of the project implementation which involves field assessment for the commencement of the system design and development activities.

He said that the delegation has been meeting with the technical team at the

Commission, stakeholders in the electricity industry, and licensed operators.

Dr. Sekajipo explained that Iridis Technologies has expressed its commitment to support LERC to ensure that all activities are aligned with the Commission’s expectations.

He noted that the Commission expects licensed operators to support and cooperate with Iridis Technologies in the setting up the Regulatory Database Management Information System.

“The system, when designed, developed, and deployed will automate key

performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor utilities’ performance on

benchmarks such as financial performance, technical and commercial quality of service performance, and quality and quality of service delivery and operational efficiency,” he stated.

For his part, the Lead Consultant and program Director Adu-Manu said when the process will support the LECR and help the citizens of Liberia to get best service delivery from service providers for the food of the country.

Adu-Manu indicated that the system will be able to manage cases and provide up-to-date information on how things work at LERC.

“Our system will also manage documents and help LERC deliver services in town to its customers,” he said.

According to him, the system will support work at the Commission; adding that whatever customers pay for, they will receive.

Adu-Manu revealed that having a rebuts and digitization component will support LERC operations and its board decisions. e delivery and

operational efficiency,” he stated.

For his part, the Lead Consultant and program Director Adu-Manu said that the process will support the LECR and help the citizens of Liberia to get the best service delivery from service providers for the food of the country.

Adu-Manu indicated that the system will be able to manage cases and provide up-to-date information on how things work at LERC.

“Our system will also manage documents and help LERC deliver services in town to its customers,” he said.

According to him, the system will support work at the Commission; adding that whatever customers pay for, they will receive.

Adu-Manu revealed that having a rebuts and digitization component will support LERC operations and its board decisions.