Monrovia – Liberia has taken a bold step toward inclusive development with the endorsement of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the 15 County Development Agendas (CDAs) by the Cabinet and the National Steering Committee, chaired by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
The endorsement, made official during a ceremony at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex on Tuesday, solidifies Liberia’s roadmap for addressing critical national challenges between 2025 and 2029. The plans focus on key areas such as agribusiness, infrastructure, governance, education, sanitation, and tourism to drive sustainable growth and reduce poverty.
A Vision for Inclusive Growth
President Boakai described the ARREST Agenda as a transformative framework aimed at fixing long-standing issues, including food insecurity, poor governance, and economic stagnation. “The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development is a plan to fix food insecurity, poor access to services, governance issues, and economic problems,” Boakai said.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration, calling on Liberians across government, private sector, diaspora, and civil society to unite in achieving the shared goals of the plan. The President highlighted the adaptability of the AAID and CDAs, noting that the plans will evolve to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
The crafting of the ARREST Agenda and CDAs began in July with extensive consultations across Liberia’s 15 counties. Led by the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning and Internal Affairs, the process engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including local government officials, women, youth, civil society groups, religious leaders, and the County Legislative Caucuses.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan underscored the inclusiveness of the process, describing the plans as the collective vision of Liberians. “This National Development Plan is not just a government document—it is the collective vision of our country’s future,” Ngafuan said.
Ngafuan announced that the implementation of the plans would require an estimated US$8.4 billion, with 30% of funding coming from the government and 70% from private sector investments, development partners, and diaspora contributions. He outlined measures to enhance domestic resource mobilization, including tax reforms and reductions in unnecessary public spending.
Key Priorities
The ARREST Agenda focuses on six critical areas:
- Agribusiness Value Chain – Ensuring food security and creating jobs.
- Infrastructure Development – Improving roads and connectivity.
- Governance and Rule of Law – Strengthening institutions and combating corruption.
- Human Capital Development – Enhancing education and youth empowerment.
- Sanitation and Health – Expanding access to clean water and improving public health.
- Tourism Promotion – Leveraging Liberia’s natural beauty and cultural heritage for economic growth.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Christine Umotoni lauded the inclusiveness of the development process and pledged the UN’s full support for the implementation of the plans. She described the endorsement of the AAID and CDAs as a “transformative step” toward inclusive growth.
The endorsement sets the stage for the official launch of the ARREST Agenda and County Development Agendas in January 2025. With overwhelming support from the Cabinet, National Steering Committee, and development partners, the plans signal a new chapter in Liberia’s pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.
Discussion about this post