By: Julius Konton
Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, on Thursday joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. at a high-level lunch meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the French President.
The engagement brought together senior officials from both countries for discussions aimed at boosting development cooperation and expanding French investment in Liberia.
According to Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, the meeting offered Liberia a strategic platform to present investment opportunities and reinforce bilateral cooperation as the country rolls out its national development roadmap , the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
Minister Ngafuan stated that the discussions centered on strategic partnerships in infrastructure, agriculture, transport, and energy , all core pillars of the ARREST Agenda.
He emphasized that Liberia is ready to engage international partners on the basis of transparency, accountability, and shared benefit.
“Liberia is open for business and open to partnership,” the Liberian Finance Minister reechoed.
“We are committed to using our natural and human resources in a way that benefits our people and delivers measurable results.
France is a trusted partner, and this meeting marks a new chapter in our cooperation”, he added.
At the same time, he highlighted that the government has prioritized good governance and improving the ease of doing business in Liberia.
“We are creating a climate where investors can participate with confidence,” he added.
“What we seek is partnership, not charity.”
Finance Minister Ngafuan said the discussions were productive and aligned with Liberia’s economic transformation strategy.
“This meeting sends a strong signal that Liberia is ready for high-quality investment,” Minister Ngafuan said.
“Our objective is to build partnerships that directly contribute to job creation, infrastructure development, and sustainable growth”, he further reemphasized.
He stressed the importance of tapping into both the French public and private sectors to support critical national priorities.
“The ARREST Agenda presents clear, bankable investment opportunities,” Ngafuan stated.
“We are engaging partners who share our commitment to results and transparency.”
French officials expressed renewed interest in increasing development cooperation and exploring investment opportunities, especially through France’s development finance institutions.
President Macron commended Liberia’s commitment to democratic stability and institutional reforms.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to strengthen dialogue between technical teams from both governments and to explore follow-up engagements over the coming months.
Liberian officials described the meeting as constructive, forward-looking, and reflective of mutual respect.
President Boakai underscored that Liberia’s future is tied to meaningful partnerships.
“Our goal is to deliver prosperity for the Liberian people,” Boakai said.
“With the right partnerships, such as the one we are strengthening here in Paris, we will get there.”
