By: Julius Konton
Liberia has secured a major financial boost for one of its most strategic infrastructure projects as the Government of Liberia and a consortium of Arab development partners on Friday signed a new US$12.8 million financing agreement to advance the second phase of the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Road Project, a transformative highway intended to connect central Liberia to the northern border with Sierra Leone.
The signing, held in Monrovia, brought together officials from the Government of Liberia, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, and other Arab partners long involved in Liberia’s development agenda.
Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, described the moment as “a great day for Liberia”, emphasizing that the Boakai administration is accelerating efforts to revive stalled infrastructure projects and strengthen bilateral partnerships.
More Than US$80 Million Mobilized for Northern Corridor
According to Minister Ngafuan, the government has already secured more than US$80 million in commitments from development partners to push the project forward. The breakdown includes:
US$12.8 million signed on Friday by the Kuwaiti Fund
US$30 million from BADEA
US$30 million from the OPEC Fund
US$10 million (initial) from the Saudi Fund, with additional support expected
He added that the new financing ensures the full completion of the Salayea–Konia segment, approximately 50 kilometers of road that is critical to opening up the region’s agriculture belt.
“We don’t want the work to stop,” Ngafuan said. “Our partners are prepared to keep supporting us until we reach Voinjama, and the private financing agreement recently ratified by the Legislature will support the next leg beyond that”, he further informed the Liberian people.
A Road With Decades of History
The Gbarnga–Mendikorma corridor has long been identified as a national development priority.
Feasibility studies were initiated in the early 2010s with Arab Development partners contributing nearly US$2 million for technical assessments.
The Kuwait Fund, in particular, maintained support even during crises such as the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, when several projects were halted across the region.
When the project stalled in recent years due to Liberia’s challenges in meeting debt service obligations, the Kuwait Fund suspended disbursements.
Ngafuan recalled that in 2010, Liberia’s debt exposure to the Kuwait Fund had reached 740% of the country’s debt ratio, but Kuwait agreed to waive and cancel a significant portion as part of a broader debt relief process.
“We went back to Kuwait this year, restructured our debt facility, restored confidence, and since then we have been current with all obligations,” the Minister announced. “Now their support is stronger than ever”, he disclosed.
Boakai Administration Prioritizes Roads Under ARREST Agenda
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. views roads as the backbone of Liberia’s economic transformation and a major component of his ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
“The road to development begins with the development of roads,” he said. “This is why President Boakai is leading this charge, supported by the Minister of Public Works and the entire infrastructure team.”
He noted that the government has now shifted from planning to swift execution, saying: “It is sprinting now, not snail-pacing.”
Public Works Minister Welcomes Revival of a Lifeline Project
Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings expressed gratitude to the Kuwait Fund delegation, noting that Kuwait has supported Liberia since the 1970s and continues to play a pivotal role in rebuilding national infrastructure.
“This road passes through one of Liberia’s major agricultural belts,” Giddings said. “The Kuwait Fund paid for the original feasibility studies, assembled the consortium, and helped bring us to where we are today. Phase Two marks a new beginning”, he added.
Kuwait Fund Reaffirms Long-Term Partnership
The head of the Kuwait Fund delegation said the signing is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to Liberia’s development.
“This agreement represents continuity,” he stated. “We are here to support this project and are also looking forward to other priority projects that Liberia will identify.”
He emphasized that the fund remains fully committed: “We are here to approve this, and we are here to continue this”, he noted.
A Strategic Road for National Growth
Once completed, the Gbarnga–Mendikorma highway will:
Improve access to markets for farmers in Bong, Lofa, and other key agricultural counties
Enhance regional trade between Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea
Reduce transportation costs and travel time across the northern corridor
Boost food security, economic integration, and rural development
The government expects the first major milestone completion of the Gbarnga–Salayea stretch to be achieved in the coming months.
EDITOR’S NOTE
The Gbarnga–Mendikorma corridor represents far more than a road project, it is a lifeline to economic revival, social mobility, and regional integration for millions of Liberians.
The renewed financing commitments highlighted in this report reflect both a diplomatic achievement and a long-awaited turning point for a project that has endured years of delays, debt challenges, and national crises.
As Liberia continues to rebuild key infrastructure after decades of underdevelopment, the sustained engagement of partners such as the Kuwait Fund, BADEA, the OPEC Fund, and the Saudi Fund underscores the strategic importance of this northern highway to the country’s agricultural sector and cross-border trade.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s prioritization of roads within the ARREST Agenda signals the administration’s recognition that no national development plan can succeed without reliable connectivity.
The government’s renewed credibility with international lenders as evidenced by debt restructuring and resumed disbursements marks a crucial step toward ensuring the continuity of these long-term projects.
This article joins the larger national conversation about accountability, speed of implementation, and the real impact of infrastructure development on ordinary Liberians.
As phase two of the Gbarnga–Mendikorma project moves forward, public attention will remain focused on progress, transparency, and the government’s commitment to deliver on its promises.
