Published: February 6, 2026
MONROVIA — Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s push to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization as Liberia launched two African Development Bank–backed projects aimed at improving tax administration, debt transparency and public financial governance.
Ngafuan said sustainable growth depends on converting economic activity into reliable public revenue to fund national priorities and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
“GDP growth must translate into real revenue that funds our priorities,” he said. “That requires expanding the domestic tax base, improving compliance and strengthening the institutions that manage public finances.”
AfDB-Financed Projects Launched
The initiatives include a four-year Institutional Support Project valued at about US$18.3 million, financed by the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.
The project targets reforms in tax policy and administration, budgeting systems, extractive-sector transparency, anti-corruption capacity, and judicial and law-enforcement support, benefiting 14 public institutions.
A second initiative—the Debt and Beneficial Ownership Technical Assistance Project—provides about US$1.3 million in grant financing to strengthen debt reporting and monitoring while establishing and improving beneficial ownership disclosure frameworks.
Ngafuan said the projects are designed to improve revenue efficiency, strengthen accountability and restore public trust in the management of public resources.
Governance, Justice Central to Revenue Effort
The finance minister said effective anti-corruption systems and justice-sector reforms are essential to protecting domestic revenue and ensuring fair enforcement of tax laws.
While reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to honoring external obligations, Ngafuan said the government intends to channel increased domestic resources into priority sectors including agriculture, education and justice.
“Our objective is to build resilient public finances that deliver tangible benefits to citizens,” he said.
John Bosco Bukenya, principal country program officer at the AfDB Liberia Country Office, urged full and timely disbursement of both loan and grant components.
“Anything that is not disbursed is a cost to the people of Liberia,” Bukenya said, calling for close coordination among beneficiary institutions to ensure effective implementation.
Anti-Corruption, Justice Institutions Welcome Support
Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission Executive Director Alexandra Zoe welcomed the initiatives, describing them as recognition of the role strong integrity institutions play in revenue mobilization and governance reform.
“We reaffirm our commitment to utilizing these resources responsibly and transparently, in strict adherence to our mandate,” Zoe said.
Justice Minister N. Oswald Tweh said the support aligns with ongoing justice-sector reforms and called for accelerated procurement and implementation, noting delays linked to ratification.
Liberia Revenue Authority Deputy Commissioner-General Gabriel Montgomery said the projects will strengthen systems and logistics needed for the successful rollout of the Value-Added Tax.
He said improved institutional readiness and data systems are critical to ensuring VAT sustainability and compliance.
Implementation and Beneficiaries
The projects will be implemented through the Project Management Unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, which will oversee fiduciary management and reporting in line with AfDB and government guidelines.
Beneficiary institutions include the MFDP, Liberia Revenue Authority, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Financial Intelligence Agency, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Judiciary, Liberia National Police, the Liberia Immigration Service, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Labor, and the President’s Delivery Unit.
Discussion about this post