Published: December 10, 2025
MONROVIA — Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan said Tuesday that Liberia remains “firmly on track” for reaffirmation of its eligibility for a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, even as the United States recalibrates its foreign assistance policies under President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a press stakeout in Monrovia on Tuesday, Minister Ngafuan detailed Liberia’s sustained diplomatic and technical engagement with MCC leadership since the country was initially approved for a second compact last year under then-President Joe Biden. That approval was placed under review following the U.S. election, prompting Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the MCC Board to reassess all pending commitments.
Ngafuan said Liberia has worked “diligently and consistently” throughout the review period to maintain momentum, noting that the government opened a dedicated MCC office at the Ministry of Finance, recruited a national coordinator and technical staff, and held multiple discussions with MCC officials both in Liberia and Washington. He referenced a two-week MCC mission led by Carrie Moynihan, which visited Monrovia in September to meet with sector leaders and review Liberia’s national priorities. President Joseph Boakai also engaged MCC representatives during the recent U.S. diaspora conference, Ngafuan added.
“We are fairly confident we are on course,” he told reporters. “From all the engagements thus far, the government remains optimistic.”
Strong Scorecard Performance Strengthens Liberia’s Case
The minister highlighted Liberia’s performance on the 2025 MCC Scorecard, noting that the country passed 12 of 22 indicators—exceeding the minimum requirement of 11. Importantly, Liberia met the two “hard hurdles”: Control of Corruption and Political Rights and Civil Liberties. Without passing those governance benchmarks, a country cannot be considered eligible, he added.
Ngafuan emphasized that Liberia’s standing is especially noteworthy at a time when more than a dozen countries, including some seeking second compacts, have been removed from consideration under the Trump administration’s stricter eligibility standards.
Reapproval Required After Change in U.S. Leadership
Although Liberia had already been approved for a second compact under the previous U.S. administration, Ngafuan explained that the change in Washington necessitated a fresh review. He said all countries in the pipeline were required to “re-sit the entrance exam” to confirm their eligibility.
“Tomorrow, the Board will decide whether to reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility,” he said. “The President is confident. We are confident. But we give the Board the benefit of doubt. After tomorrow, we will know.”
Next Steps if Liberia Is Reaffirmed
Should the MCC Board reconfirm Liberia, the government will move into a more technical phase involving project identification, funding allocations and compact design. Ngafuan said the process may take several months and will remain anchored in the MCC’s Constraints to Growth Analysis.
Liberia’s priorities, he noted, remain firmly centered on energy generation and distribution, improvements in rural road infrastructure, expanded access to finance, and strengthened governance, business-environment and education reforms. He stressed that energy and infrastructure remain the top priorities because of their catalytic effect on job creation and economic expansion. The 2025 national budget, he added, reflects these strategic commitments.
Liberia Remains Hopeful Amid Global Uncertainty
Despite global uncertainty and the recalibration of U.S. foreign assistance under the Trump administration, Ngafuan underscored Liberia’s resilience and continued eligibility.
“Many countries were dropped,” he said. “Your country, my country, is still in. We are fairly on track, and I am hopeful Liberia will be reaffirmed for the second compact.”
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