Published: December 4, 2025
MONROVIA — The Government of Liberia and the World Bank Group have introduced a new five-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that emphasizes job creation as a core focus of the nation’s development agenda, demonstrating a stronger commitment to economic transformation, human capital development, and private-sector growth.
The framework, which covers 2025 to 2030, was unveiled at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town during a ceremony attended by senior government officials, development partners, civil society leaders, the private sector, and youth representatives.
Designed to support Liberia’s goal of creating more and better jobs, the CPF focuses on investing in human capital, expanding energy access, implementing governance reforms, and fostering private-sector growth, with special emphasis on agro-industry and forestry as routes to sustainable economic development.
“Jobs Are the Pathway to Prosperity”
World Bank Liberia Country Manager Georgia Wallen described the new CPF as a crucial moment for the country. She said the framework is centered on a single key goal: job creation.
“Everything we do over the next five years will be driven by a single motivation: jobs — because jobs are the surest pathway to prosperity,” she said. Wallen noted that foundational learning, reliable and affordable energy, stronger accountability systems and a more vibrant private sector will collectively shape Liberia’s ability to generate employment at scale.
She also emphasized that the framework closely aligns with the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which prioritizes infrastructure, public-sector reform, agriculture, and human capital.
Private Sector Still the Engine of Job Creation
IFC Division Director Nathalie Kouassi Akon said the CPF launch demonstrates Liberia’s readiness to translate economic potential into measurable outcomes.
“This is more than an event,” she said. “It is a signal that Liberia is ready to convert national ambition into tangible results for its people.”
Akon emphasized the vital role of the private sector in creating jobs, pointing out that nearly 90 percent of jobs across Africa come from private enterprises. She stated that the CPF is designed to increase opportunities for young people, women, and small businesses through improved market conditions, targeted investments, and better access to finance.
Government: Every Project Must Create Jobs
Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Senior Presidential Advisor Dr. Augustine Konneh welcomed the CPF as a renewed and practical commitment to national progress.
“Liberia is ready to build, ready to rise and ready to lead its people into a future of prosperity,” Dr. Konneh said.
He warned that rising youth unemployment remains one of Liberia’s most urgent national challenges. According to him, the government expects every development intervention to showcase job creation. “Every project we launch must answer one question: how many jobs will this create for Liberians, especially our young people?” he said.
World Bank Praised for Staying the Course
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan praised the World Bank Group for remaining a steadfast partner during a period of global uncertainty. He revealed that while one major donor suddenly withdrew earlier this year, “the World Bank did not retreat at a critical hour,” a decision he described as evidence of genuine partnership.
Ngafuan emphasized that expanding energy access and improving infrastructure are vital for attracting investment and supporting private-sector growth. “Affordable and accessible energy is the engine of the private sector,” he said, adding that Liberia plans to significantly increase national electricity access in the next five years.
He also emphasized the need for faster project execution, noting that some donor-supported programs have experienced delays lasting several years. “Big numbers must translate into big impact,” he said.
UNDP: CPF Aligns With Liberia’s Priorities
UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia commended the CPF for closely aligning with the government’s priorities and the upcoming UN cooperation framework. “This partnership can make a defining difference in governance, human capital, and economic transformation,” he stated.
Dia said the CPF’s focus on resilience, inclusion, and sustainability is vital for tackling Liberia’s long-standing structural vulnerabilities. He reaffirmed the UN’s dedication to supporting institutional reforms, capacity-building, and evidence-based planning.
A Shift Toward Inclusive, Private-Sector-Led Growth
The new CPF aims to assist Liberia in shifting from a concession-dependent economic model to a modern, inclusive growth strategy driven by private-sector expansion, stronger public institutions, and human capital development. The framework highlights women’s and youth empowerment, skills training, agricultural modernization, and improved governance systems as key pillars of the country’s long-term economic vision.
Developed over months of consultations with government ministries, civil society, academia, development partners, and the private sector, the CPF reflects widespread agreement on Liberia’s most urgent development needs. Stakeholders repeatedly emphasized that the framework’s success will rely on better coordination, timely implementation, and strict accountability among all implementing institutions.
Dr. Konneh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implementing the CPF and advancing the nation’s Vision 2030 goals. “Let us think Liberia, love Liberia and build Liberia,” he said, calling for unity, urgency and shared responsibility as Liberia enters a new phase of development partnership with the World Bank Group.
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