Published: April 14, 2025
MONROVIA — Liberia’s voice in West Africa’s infrastructure development just got louder. The National Road Fund’s Manager, Joseta Neufville-Wento, has been elected vice president of the West Africa Road Funds Focus Group — a position that places Liberia at the heart of the region’s push for better roads, stronger institutions, and sustainable financing.
Wento’s election came at the 13th General Assembly of the West Africa Road Funds Focus Group, held April 8-11 in Dakar, Senegal — a gathering of road fund managers determined to reshape the future of transportation and infrastructure across the sub-region.
She joins Senegal’s Soukeye Diop, who was elected president, and Togo’s Tardji, who will serve as special advisor. The new leadership team takes over from Niger’s Col. Moussa Issaka Ikizi and his team, whose two-year term has come to an end.
For Liberia, Wento’s ascendency signals growing recognition of the country’s role in regional development conversations — particularly in infrastructure financing and governance.
The West Africa Road Funds Focus Group, part of the larger African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), is the region’s leading platform for driving policy reforms, mobilizing resources, and sharing best practices in road maintenance and project funding.
Under her new portfolio, Wento is expected to help steer discussions on strengthening the autonomy of road funds across the region — reducing political interference and ensuring that road maintenance funding is transparent, efficient, and sustainable.
The new leadership of the West Africa Road Fund Focus Group
This is not Wento’s first time on the international stage. In 2023, she was appointed chairperson of the West Africa Focus Group at ARMFA’s 21st General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where she led efforts to enhance member engagement and reform dues payment structures.
With more than a decade of experience in Liberia’s road sector and a professional background in energy economics, Wento’s latest appointment is seen as a strategic win for Liberia — positioning the country to benefit from greater regional cooperation, access to funding networks, and influence in infrastructure policy-making.
Her rise comes at a time when infrastructure remains one of Liberia’s greatest development challenges — with poor road conditions continuing to undermine trade, agriculture, and access to basic services.
Now, with a seat at the regional decision-making table, Wento says she is committed to ensuring that Liberia’s voice — and needs — are heard.
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