NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating national infrastructure development as a delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) visits the country to review ongoing projects and assess financing for new priority interventions.
Minister Ngafuan made the statement Monday during a courtesy call by the Saudi delegation at his office in Monrovia. The delegation is headed by Abdulrahman Bin Ahujaa AlHabri, Director of West Africa Operations at the Saudi Fund for Development.
According to the minister, the visit forms part of the government’s broader strategy to mobilize international financing to fast-track infrastructure and other critical economic development projects across the country.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
He noted that several infrastructure initiatives had stalled prior to the current administration due to the previous government’s inability to meet financial commitments to development partners, including the Saudi Fund.
“It took the efforts of this administration to visit Kuwait to meet the Arab lenders and reassure them of our willingness to reopen the partnership,” Ngafuan said.
He disclosed that Liberia has secured financing commitments for the Salayea–Konia corridor from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and entered into a concession agreement with PAVIFORT for the Mendikorma–Voinjama corridor.
Ongoing discussions with the Saudi Fund for Development regarding the Konia–Voinjama segment are expected to complete the financing framework for the entire Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway.
“What we are doing with our colleagues is to ensure that the road reaches Voinjama. The Saudi Fund is primarily interested in the leg from Konia to Voinjama,” the minister explained.
Ngafuan emphasized the strategic importance of the highway, noting that it links agricultural and mineral-rich counties to domestic markets and key cross-border trade routes, thereby boosting trade, investment, and regional integration. He added that the corridor connects Lofa and Bong counties, both of which share borders with the Republic of Guinea.
The minister also revealed that the Zorzor–Yeala Town road corridor, home to a major border immigration post, is under consideration for possible Saudi Fund financing.
For his part, AlHabri conveyed greetings from the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development and reaffirmed the more than 48-year partnership between Liberia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He commended the credibility of the current government, describing it as a key factor in the Fund’s renewed engagement with Liberia.
AlHabri expressed the SFD’s willingness to review proposals for priority development projects and provide financing where feasible.
Among the projects under consideration are the paving of the Konia–Voinjama corridor along the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway and the extension of electricity from the Botota CLSG substation to communities along the route.
He further disclosed that Liberia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already submitted a formal request for financing of the electricity extension project on behalf of the government.
