Published: July 30, 2026
MONROVIA – Liberia has secured more than US$350 million in development financing and investment commitments through high-level diplomatic engagements led by the country’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amara Soko Sackor, marking a major boost to the government’s infrastructure and economic development agenda.
The financing package was announced during the official commissioning of the Gbarnga–Salayea Highway, where Liberian officials also signed a financing agreement for the construction of the 56-kilometer Salayea–Konia Road.
The engagements involved several of Liberia’s key Arab development partners, including the Saudi Fund for International Development (SFD), the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Sackor described the completion of the Gbarnga–Salayea Highway as the realization of a vision he began pursuing in 2013.
He said the project reflects years of sustained diplomatic engagement, strong international cooperation and Liberia’s longstanding partnership with Arab development institutions.
The ambassador paid tribute to two engineers who died before the project’s completion, noting that their dedication and sacrifices remain permanently woven into the highway’s legacy.
He also commended the Infrastructure Implementation Unit (IIU) at the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister Beysolow and other stakeholders for their commitment throughout the implementation process.
Special recognition was given to Engineer Maimuna Jalloh and Engineer Ashraf A. Hassan for providing technical leadership from the project’s early planning stages through its successful completion.
As part of the latest agreements, Liberia secured US$63 million to finance the construction of the Salayea–Konia Road, further expanding transportation infrastructure in northern Liberia.
Development partners also agreed to consider Liberia’s request for an additional US$80 million to finance the proposed Konia–Voinjama Road, subject to the completion of technical assessments and other required documentation.
Beyond road construction, Ambassador Sackor disclosed that development partners have committed US$190 million for the Botota–Foya Power Transmission Line, a project expected to improve electricity access and stimulate economic activity across several counties.
Additional commitments include US$29 million for the construction of a national sports stadium and US$25 million to strengthen Liberia’s water and sanitation infrastructure.
The Arab development institutions also pledged grant assistance to enhance the operational capacity of Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and donated US$150,000 to the Liberian National Muslim Women Organization to support community-based development initiatives.
Ambassador Sackor urged Liberia’s Arab partners to expand their investments into agriculture, energy and education, describing those sectors as critical to diversifying the economy, improving food security, strengthening human capital and promoting sustainable national development.
According to the ambassador, the latest financing commitments demonstrate the growing success of Liberia’s economic diplomacy strategy under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the agreements reflect how sustained diplomatic engagement is attracting investments that strengthen infrastructure, improve public services and support inclusive economic growth.
The completion of the Gbarnga–Salayea Highway, coupled with the newly secured financing commitments, represents another major milestone in Liberia’s efforts to leverage international partnerships to accelerate development and improve the lives of its citizens.
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