Published: April 17, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, led a delegation to the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings this week, holding discussions with World Bank Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa Ousmane Diagana on the performance of key sectors under the government’s ARREST agenda and the economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East crisis.
Minister Ngafuan briefed the World Bank team on the direct and emerging impacts of the global crisis on Liberia’s economy, highlighting rising oil prices as a primary transmission channel. He noted that the Government of Liberia has already adjusted domestic petroleum and fuel prices twice in response to external shocks and warned that the crisis could ripple into other sectors of the economy.
The minister outlined the government’s ongoing policy response, including measures to stabilize the domestic economy, manage inflationary pressures and protect vulnerable populations. Those measures include targeted interventions to ease transportation costs, among them public transport subsidies and related support mechanisms designed to cushion the impact on low-income households.
Minister Ngafuan also stressed the importance of sustained international support as Liberia navigates an increasingly volatile global environment.
The delegation held a focused sectoral portfolio review alongside key implementing agencies. Contributing to the session were Public Works Minister Roland Giddings, Liberia Electricity Corporation Managing Director Mohammed Sheriff, Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation Managing Director Mohammed Ali, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority Director General Cyrus Saygbe, and Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Education Nyekeh Yarkpao Forkpa. The session produced targeted updates on sector-level impacts and response measures.
Diagana reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to Liberia, saying the Bank is actively exploring additional financing and policy support options for Liberia and other countries significantly affected by the crisis. He said those efforts would focus on safeguarding macroeconomic stability, strengthening resilience and protecting the most vulnerable segments of the population.
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