By: Julius Konton
The Government of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding higher education, strengthening infrastructure, and accelerating inclusive national development following the official opening of the Lofa County University Annex Campus in Zorzor, a landmark initiative expected to broaden access to tertiary education across northern Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Acting Deputy Minister for Budget and Development Planning Sarah M. Mulbah described the inauguration as a historic milestone that reflects the Boakai Administration’s determination to invest in human capital while transforming rural communities through strategic public investment.
The annex campus, established through the integration of the former Change Agent Network University (CAN-U) into Lofa County University, is expected to expand enrollment opportunities for students from Zorzor, Salayea, Voinjama and neighboring counties, reducing travel costs and increasing access to quality higher education.
Minister Mulbah congratulated the University’s Board of Trustees, management, faculty and stakeholders for preserving educational opportunities and strengthening Liberia’s higher education sector.
The Government emphasized that education remains the foundation of sustainable economic growth, noting that investment in Liberia’s education sector has increased substantially under the current administration.
According to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, public expenditure on education has grown from approximately US$90.8 million in FY2023 to more than US$143.5 million in FY2026, representing an increase of nearly 60 percent.
The increased allocation aligns with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which prioritizes education, youth empowerment, skills development and human capital formation.
Officials said stronger investments in education are intended to improve institutional capacity, strengthen governance, increase productivity and prepare a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting Liberia’s long-term economic transformation.
The opening of the annex campus comes as Government prepares to launch one of the largest infrastructure development initiatives in Lofa County in decades.
She disclosed that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has mobilized US$73.8 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to finance the 56-kilometer Salayea-Konia and Zorzor-Yeala Road Project.
The remaining 64-kilometer Konia-Voinjama Road will be financed by the Saudi Fund for Development, completing an important transport corridor expected to improve trade, agriculture, market access and regional connectivity.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., accompanied by senior government officials and development partners from the Arab Coordination Group, is also expected to dedicate the 81-kilometer Gbarnga-Salayea Road Corridor, one of Liberia’s flagship transport projects.
Beyond roads, Government has secured an additional US$49.6 million from the Saudi Fund for Development for the Botota-Gbarnga-Zorzor Electricity Transmission Line and Substation Project, aimed at expanding electricity access to businesses, schools, health facilities and households across northern Liberia.
Healthcare delivery will also receive a boost through US$700,000 mobilized from BADEA to renovate, rehabilitate and equip the Salayea Clinic and Konia Health Center, improving essential medical services for communities along the transport corridor.
Government officials believe the integrated investments in education, transportation, electricity and healthcare will stimulate economic growth across Lofa County.
Construction activities are expected to generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve mobility and attract private investment throughout the region.
Lofa County remains one of Liberia’s most agriculturally productive counties and has historically played a significant role in national food production, public service and education. Improved infrastructure is expected to unlock greater economic opportunities while enhancing regional integration with neighboring Guinea and other parts of Liberia.
Minister Mulbah assured the leadership of Lofa County University that Government has taken note of requests for additional infrastructure, rehabilitation works, staffing and institutional support.
While acknowledging fiscal constraints and competing national priorities, she said the Ministry would carefully consider the University’s development needs during future planning and budget processes.
She concluded by describing the annex campus as “more than new buildings, it represents hope, opportunity and a stronger future for generations of Liberians,” reaffirming the Boakai Administration’s commitment to ensuring equitable development across all fifteen counties.
The inauguration marks another significant step in Liberia’s efforts to expand higher education, modernize infrastructure and build an inclusive economy driven by knowledge, innovation and sustainable development.
