NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – A senior delegation from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has arrived in Monrovia to officially begin planning for Liberia’s second five-year development compact, marking a major step forward in the long-standing development partnership between Liberia and the United States.
The delegation, led by MCC Managing Director for Africa, Ms. Carrie Monahan, touched down on Thursday, signaling the formal start of the compact development process following Liberia’s reaffirmation of eligibility by the MCC Board in December 2025.
By: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr-rufusbrooks091@gmail.com
Liberia’s selection places it among a small group of countries worldwide to qualify for a second MCC compact—a rare achievement reserved for nations that consistently demonstrate strong performance in good governance, economic freedom, and investments in their people.
Welcoming the delegation, Minister of Finance and Development Planning Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the moment as a significant milestone for the country, likening it to a “truly good Christmas for the Liberian people.”
He noted that the achievement was the result of years of preparatory work, including growth diagnostics conducted in September and a series of technical engagements in Washington, D.C.
“These earlier missions laid the foundation for a strong partnership that culminated in Liberia’s reaffirmation for a second compact,” Minister Ngafuan said. “But this is not the end—it is the beginning of a demanding process that will require hard work, commitment, and a whole-of-government approach.”
The finance minister disclosed that government is moving swiftly to recruit leadership for the newly established MCC Compact Implementation Unit, with the aim of having key officials in place ahead of a critical Root Cause Analysis Workshop scheduled for February 2026.
The workshop is expected to bring together senior government officials, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and technical experts to identify and prioritize the most binding constraints to Liberia’s economic growth.
According to officials, the second compact will be developed through rigorous data analysis and broad consultations, in keeping with MCC’s evidence-based development model.
Preliminary discussions have identified several potential investment areas, including agriculture, energy, transportation infrastructure, land governance, and workforce development—sectors seen as vital to attracting private investment and generating sustainable employment.
Speaking at the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Monahan commended Liberia for its commitment to reform and results, while reaffirming MCC’s confidence in the partnership.
“We are extremely proud of the success of Liberia’s first compact and of the deep and enduring U.S.–Liberia relationship,” she said. “A key focus of our visit is engaging stakeholders and outlining the compact development process.”
She emphasized that MCC compacts are designed through broad, inclusive consultations to ensure investments target the root causes of poverty and low economic growth, rather than isolated challenges.
Ms. Monahan further stressed that final investment decisions will be guided by data, national priorities, and strong accountability mechanisms.
The discussions were also attended by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Joseph E. Zadrozny, who reaffirmed Washington’s long-term commitment to Liberia’s development agenda.
“As Liberia embarks on this new chapter, we are reminded that development is not a one-time event but a continuous journey,” Zadrozny said. “The United States remains committed to supporting Liberia in strengthening institutions, expanding economic opportunities, and improving the lives of its people.”
