Published: November 5, 2025
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — The Liberian government is seeking Senate approval for a US$363.9 million public-private partnership with Pavifort AL Associates, a Sierra Leone–based construction firm, to design, finance, build and operate 255 kilometers of major road corridors linking Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount and Lofa counties.
The proposed 2026–2030 concession would be one of the largest road infrastructure investments in Liberia in recent years and is being billed as central to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, particularly its infrastructure and regional integration priorities.
Appearing Tuesday before the Senate Joint Committee on Public Works, Concessions, Investment, Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings said the agreement blends private-sector financing with government oversight to ensure durability and year-round road access.
“This PPP represents a shift toward sustainable road asset management and a blending of private-sector efficiency with public-sector accountability,” Giddings told lawmakers.
Key Project Corridors
According to Giddings, the roads connect the Freeport of Monrovia to the borders of Sierra Leone and Guinea, supporting agriculture, trade, tourism and regional commerce. The three priority corridors include:
- St. Paul Bridge–Klay–Bo Waterside, focused on trade and customs operations with Sierra Leone.
- Madina–Robertsport, aimed at boosting tourism and fisheries.
- Voinjama–Kolahun–Mendikorma, enhancing agriculture and cross-border trade with Guinea.
The project includes 38 kilometers of dual carriageway (tolled) between St. Paul Bridge and Klay, and 217 kilometers of non-tolled single carriageways. All construction will follow AASHTO, ECOWAS and FIDIC standards, incorporating drainage, lighting, signage, rest stops and traffic management systems.
Giddings said the design ensures a 25-year lifespan, with resurfacing scheduled at years 10 and 20.
Financing and Repayment
Under a Design-Finance-Build-Operate-Maintain model, Pavifort will cover 60% of project financing (US$218.3 million) while the government contributes 40% (US$145.6 million) through the National Road Fund and a US$100 million payment bond.
Revenue recovery will come primarily from tolling over a 24-year period (2027–2050), projected at US$323.3 million, including US$23 million reserved for resurfacing.
“The corridor becomes self-financing, with toll income covering maintenance, operation and debt servicing,” Giddings said.
Due Diligence and Legal Compliance
Public Works said it conducted technical due diligence on Pavifort, noting the company has executed more than US$500 million in roadworks across Sierra Leone, Guinea and The Gambia.
Deputy Justice Minister Charles Karmoh told senators the contract went through full legal vetting and meets concession enforcement standards.
PPCC Executive Director Bodger Scott Johnson confirmed compliance with the Public Procurement and Concessions Act.
Meanwhile, Acting Finance Minister Anthony G. Myers said the deal aligns with debt sustainability benchmarks.
“This project will eventually pay for itself,” Myers told the committee.
What Happens Next
The Senate Joint Committee is reviewing the concession and will present recommendations to plenary for approval. If ratified, the agreement would mark a major expansion of Liberia’s primary road network and is projected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen ECOWAS-wide trade flows.
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