By Julius Konton
The Executive Director of InfoQuest Liberia, Matthias Yeanay, has renewed calls for deeper and more structured engagement of Liberians in the diaspora as a critical pillar in rebuilding the country’s health system, stressing that remittances alone are no longer sufficient to meet Liberia’s development challenges.
Mr. Yeanay made the remarks while serving as a panelist at the Diaspora Annual Return Dialogue 2025, held as part of month-long activities commemorating Liberia’s flagship diaspora engagement initiative.
The panel focused on the theme: “Leveraging Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) to Improve Liberia’s Health Sector.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important national dialogue,” Yeanay said, noting that Liberia stands at a pivotal moment where diaspora capital, expertise, and innovation must be strategically aligned with national development priorities.
Diaspora Remittances: A Powerful but Underutilized Force
Drawing from his research and global development data, Yeanay highlighted that World Bank figures indicate remittances accounted for approximately 14.3 percent of Liberia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, placing the country among the most remittance-dependent economies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This statistic alone underscores the powerful role diaspora Liberians already play in sustaining our economy,” he said. “Yet, much of this contribution remains consumption-driven rather than development-oriented.”
Historically, remittances have served as a lifeline for Liberian households, particularly in the aftermath of the country’s 14-year civil conflict (1989–2003) and during public health crises such as the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, which exposed deep structural weaknesses in Liberia’s healthcare system.
From Financial to Social Remittances
Mr. Yeanay emphasized the urgent need to expand diaspora engagement beyond cash transfers to include what development economists describe as “social remittances” skills, professional expertise, institutional knowledge, and innovation.
He called for deliberate policies that encourage diaspora investments in priority sectors, particularly healthcare, as Liberia pursues its long-standing goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Doctors, nurses, data scientists, health economists, and policy experts in the diaspora represent an untapped reservoir of national capacity,” Yeanay said.
“Harnessing this talent through structured PPPs can dramatically improve service delivery and system resilience”, he added.
Health Sector PPPs and Governance Concerns
Liberia’s health sector, which relies heavily on donor funding estimated at over 60 percent of total health expenditure has long struggled with sustainability, infrastructure gaps, and workforce shortages.
Yeanay argued that well-governed Public–Private Partnerships could help bridge these gaps if anchored in transparency and accountability.
He called for:
Stronger PPP governance frameworks within the health sector
Improved health data governance systems
Greater transparency around the
U.S.–Liberia Health Data-Sharing
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
According to Yeanay, misinformation and public distrust surrounding health data agreements can undermine otherwise beneficial partnerships if not proactively addressed.
“Transparency is not optional,” he stressed. “It is the foundation of public trust and effective collaboration.”
Diaspora as a Strategic Development Partner
Reinforcing his central argument, the InfoQuest Liberia boss concluded that the Liberian diaspora must be viewed not merely as donors, but as strategic development partners capable of shaping policy, strengthening institutions, and accelerating reform.
“My research consistently shows that diaspora engagement when properly coordinated can help build a stronger, more equitable, and more resilient health system for Liberia,” Yeanay said.
A National Platform for Engagement
The Liberia Diaspora Annual Return, now a major fixture on the national calendar, aims to reconnect Liberians abroad with domestic development efforts, encourage investment, and facilitate policy dialogue between government, private sector actors, and diaspora communities.
As Liberia continues its post-conflict recovery and development journey, voices at the 2025 Dialogue made clear that the future of the country’s health system may depend not only on aid and government spending, but on how effectively it mobilizes its global citizens.
Editor’s Note:
This article examines the evolving role of Liberia’s diaspora beyond remittances, situating Matthias Yeanay’s intervention within broader debates on health sector reform, public–private partnerships, and post-conflict development sustainability.
By grounding diaspora engagement in data, policy, and governance concerns, the piece highlights a critical shift from charity-driven contributions to structured, impact-oriented partnerships.
The Editors consider this contribution timely, as Liberia confronts persistent health system vulnerabilities and seeks innovative pathways to achieve Universal Health Coverage amid declining donor support and rising public expectations.
