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ADENews-Monrovia, Liberia: Liberia has, for the first time in its history, surpassed US$1 billion in domestic revenue collection as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. describes the achievement a major milestone in the country’s economic history.
In a special national address, Boakai said the milestone was achieved through 2026 revenue generation within Liberia from taxes, duties, fees and other lawful payments, rather than through foreign aid or borrowing.
“For the first time in Liberia’s 179-year history, we have raised more than one billion United States dollars in domestic revenue in a single year,” President Boakai said.
He credited the achievement to the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, other government institutions and Liberian taxpayers for contributing to the increase in domestic resource mobilization.
President Boakai particularly recognized LRA Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah and his team for their efforts in improving revenue collection.
According to the President, Liberia’s domestic revenue stood at approximately US$612 million in 2023, before increasing to about US$699 million in 2024.
The figure climbed further to approximately US$848 million in 2025, before surpassing the US$1 billion mark in 2026.
President Boakai said the government remains on course to meet its US$1.3 billion annual budget target by the end of December 2026.
He noted that the achievement came amid significant global economic uncertainties, including the crisis in the Middle East, disruptions to the movement of goods and pressures on international trade.
The President said government efforts to stabilize prices and maintain a steady supply of essential commodities, including rice and fuel, had helped protect Liberians from greater economic hardship.
Revenue Must Benefit Liberians
President Boakai stressed that the US$1 billion milestone should not be viewed merely as a figure on the government’s financial records, but as an opportunity to improve the living conditions of ordinary Liberians.
“We do not view this milestone as just a number on the government’s ledger. Behind every dollar stands a Liberian,” he said.
Boakai disclosed that his administration is considering establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through which a portion of the increased revenue could be used to provide affordable financing to Liberian-owned businesses and support other critical sectors of the economy.
He said the initiative would be aligned with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and its commitment to expanding economic participation among Liberians.
“A billion dollars raised is a billion dollars entrusted,” President Boakai said, stressing that every dollar generated must serve the public good and contribute to improving the conditions of the Liberian people.
He said ordinary market women should benefit from government support, while civil servants should see improvements in their working conditions and salaries.
The President also called for improved access to quality education, better learning environments for students, regular supplies of medicines to public hospitals and sustained support for doctors, nurses, teachers and other public servants.
He further said increased domestic revenue should accelerate improvements in public schools and support the renovation of facilities at the University of Liberia.
Salaries, Health and Security
Boakai said increased domestic revenue has already enabled the government to raise salaries for more than 23,000 public service workers and officials in the health sector, public works, security sector, Judiciary, General Auditing Commission and Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
He disclosed that more than 3,400 long-serving volunteer teachers and health workers have been placed on the national government payroll.
According to the him, increased revenue has also strengthened the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s efforts to combat illicit drugs.
The government, he added, is supporting the recruitment and training of 600 new personnel for the Armed Forces of Liberia, while creating skills and livelihood opportunities for young people.
Road Infrastructure
President Boakai noted that increased revenue is also helping the government respond to Liberia’s long-standing road infrastructure challenges.
He pointed to the procurement and deployment of heavy-duty road equipment, commonly referred to as the “yellow machines,” across the counties as part of efforts to improve road conditions and support communities.
The President thanked Liberian taxpayers, including market women, traders, workers, professionals and businesses, for contributing to the country’s revenue mobilization.
“Every honest declaration, every receipt, and every payment made on time was an act of faith in Liberia,” he said.
Call for Greater Accountability
Despite the milestone, President Boakai cautioned the government against complacency, saying the achievement comes with a greater responsibility to ensure accountability and improve public services.
He said Liberia’s development aspirations extend beyond the US$1 billion revenue mark and urged government institutions and citizens to continue working toward increasing domestic resource mobilization.
“We have raised one billion dollars, yet the dreams and aspirations of our people are greater than one billion,” President Boakai said.
He added that the government would continue mobilizing domestic resources in pursuit of a more capable and responsive state that delivers tangible benefits to its citizens.
The President described the revenue milestone as a demonstration of the capacity of Liberian institutions to generate resources for national development and called for continued commitment to building “the Liberia we want.”
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