ADNews-Monrovia: The National Steering Committee, chaired by President Joseph Nyuma endorsed the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), which represents a crucial step in shaping Liberia’s future through data-driven, focused planning. 
By: Benjamin Q Johnson benjaminqjohnson@gmail.com
The Endorsement was held at the Ellen Johnson Ministerial Complex in Congo, graced by prominent stakeholders.
In his opening statement, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan highlighted the importance of endorsing and said the process is an Inclusive ARREST Agenda Development (AAID) and the County Development Agendas (CDAs), setting the stage for implementing Liberia’s development vision for 2025-2029.
Minister Ngafuan emphasized that the NDP and CDAs are the result of a rigorous, collaborative process involving a wide range of stakeholders—from government officials to private sector representatives, civil society, and the Liberian people.
“This development plan is not merely a government document; it is the collective vision for our country’s future,” Minister Ngafuan stated. “It serves as a blueprint for how we will address challenges such as poverty, inequality, unemployment, and underdevelopment as we move our society forward.”
The Finance Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that every component of the AAID and CDAs aligns with the real needs and aspirations of the Liberian people and described the validation process as an opportunity for meaningful discussions, constructive feedback, and refining strategies that will guide the nation’s development over the next five years.
Minister Ngafuan outlined the core objectives underpinning the AAID and the County Development Agendas, which include Inclusive Growth: “Our goal is to foster an economy that works for everyone,” he explained, emphasizing the need to create jobs, especially for youth, women, and vulnerable populations. He also highlighted the projected 6% average annual GDP growth over the next five years, with an aim to raise per capita income from $849 to $1,050 by 2029. The plan also focuses on economic diversification, targeting a reduction of the trade imbalance from $1.1 billion to $637 million.
Sustainable Development: The AAID aims to promote an environmentally responsible growth model, integrating climate resilience and green technologies while conserving natural resources for future generations. The plan will leverage Liberia’s environmental assets to attract financing for development projects.
Infrastructure and Innovation: Recognizing that robust infrastructure and technological innovation are essential for economic competitiveness, the plan includes the paving of 485 km of primary roads and the development of community roads in all county capitals. These measures respond directly to demands voiced by citizens during consultations.
Social Wellbeing: “The well-being of our people is the true measure of progress,” Ngafuan declared. The plan aims to reduce the percentage of the population living in multidimensional poverty from 45% to 36% by 2029. It focuses on improving health, education, sanitation, and access to clean water and electricity, alongside efforts to enhance social protection and housing.
Governance: A strong emphasis will be placed on transparent governance and accountable institutions. The AAID and CDAs will address institutional challenges, with priorities focused on strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and improving public service delivery.
Minister Ngafuan revealed that the estimated cost of the National Development Plan over the next five years stands at $8.4 billion. The government is expected to contribute 30% of the funding, while 70% will come from private sector investments, development partners, and diaspora contributions.
The government is also committed to enhancing domestic resource mobilization, improving tax administration, and cutting unnecessary public expenditures to maintain fiscal sustainability. “We will work to ensure that inflation remains below 10% and that the public debt-to-GDP ratio stays below 70%,” Ngafuan added.
On trade integration: he highlighted Liberia’s commitment to promoting regional trade, citing the country’s ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in July 2023 as a key step toward increasing trade within the region and improving Liberia’s position on the global stage.
With today’s endorsement of the draft AAID, the process will move forward into the next phase—implementation. The formal launch of the National Development Plan is scheduled for January 2025. Minister Ngafuan expressed his gratitude to President George Weah for his visionary leadership throughout the development of the plan and emphasized the need for continued collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure its success.
In closing, the Finance Minister encouraged all involved to engage fully in the process and work together to finalize and implement the National Development Plan. “Together, we will pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for our motherland, Liberia,” he concluded.
Comments are closed.