By: Julius Konton
French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday hosted Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. at the Élysée Palace, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and expand development cooperation between Liberia and France.
During the high-level working lunch, President Macron congratulated President Boakai on his diplomatic engagements in Washington, including his interaction with the White House, and praised Liberia for securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Macron described the visit as “an opportunity to intensify cooperation and redefine future partnerships with Liberia.”
Focus on job creation, infrastructure, agriculture, and youth empowerment, President Boakai expressed deep appreciation for France’s longstanding support, emphasizing the enduring friendship between the two nations.
He outlined Liberia’s development strategy under the ARREST Agenda; Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism, emphasizing that health, energy, and technology are central to inclusive economic growth.
Boakai stressed his administration’s commitment to Increasing job creation for young people, Expanding technical and vocational training and Attracting sustainable investment partnerships that empower local communities, among others.
France Signals Increased Investment Interest as French Development Agency invited to fast-track projects in Liberia
As part of the meeting, President Macron invited the French Development Agency (AFD) to present ongoing and proposed programs in Liberia, including infrastructure, rural development, and agricultural projects.
Both leaders agreed to reactivate major projects that stalled in recent years and accelerate implementation under the Boakai administration.
Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, provided a briefing on current national challenges in: Health, Education, Energy, and Water and sanitation.
Minister Ngafuan disclosed that the Government of Liberia has already committed over US$115 million to maintain essential services following recent aid reductions.
Security and Regional Stability Take Center Stage as both Leaders discuss Sahel dynamics and Mano River regional coordination
With Liberia preparing to assume its seat on the UN Security Council, discussions also highlighted peace and regional security issues. Given Liberia’s geographical proximity to the Sahel, both presidents emphasized the need for stronger cooperation on: Sub-regional stability, Border management, and Preventing the spread of extremist threats.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, briefed President Macron on Liberia’s leadership role ahead of the upcoming AU–EU Summit in Angola, especially on issues concerning Women, Peace, and Security (WPS).
Macron welcomed Liberia’s contribution and said the summit would be a “defining moment for addressing Africa’s development financing challenges and expanding joint EU initiatives.”
The meeting concluded with an agreement to expand the December 8 French Mission visit to Liberia, originally scheduled to provide UN Security Council training, to a broader dialogue encompassing: Peace and security cooperation, Border security, and Strategic bilateral planning.
