“The money is ….to upgrade the Salayea to Konia road in Lofa County; a segment of the Gbarnga/Mendikorma highway,”
—a dispatch.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has signed a US$30 million loan Agreement with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
The loan Agreement is to finance the upgrading of the Salayea to Konia road in Lofa County.
It is a critical segment of the Gbarnga/Mendikorma highway that connects the northwestern region to major economic corridors.
The Agreement was signed on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Vienna, Austria, on the sidelines of the OPEC Fund Development Forum and 50th anniversary celebrations.
Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, signed on behalf of the Liberian government, while BADEA President, Abdullah Almusabeed, signed on behalf of the Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa.
According to a dispatch from Austria, the Agreement will support the construction, and upgrading of the Salayea to Konia road corridor, which is a strategic infrastructure project that is expected to improve connectivity between Bong and Lofa counties.
It will also reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade and enhance access to essential services for Liberians living in rural communities.
At the signing ceremony, Ngafuan expressed gratitude to BADEA for its continued commitment to Liberia’s development agenda.
He said, the Agreement reflects the strong and growing partnership between Liberia and the Arab development institution.
“On behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia, I extend sincere appreciation to BADEA for this significant investment in our infrastructure. This financing demonstrates confidence in Liberia’s development trajectory and will have a transformative impact on communities in Bong and Lofa counites.”
Ngafuan said, the Salayea to Konia road forms part of government’s vision to modernize infrastructure, and unlock economic opportunities throughout the northwest.
“Together with financing from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Ngafuan said, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the OPEC Fund, represents one of the most ambitious road development initiatives undertaken in the region.
The project is expected to stimulate economic growth by improving the movement of agricultural goods from productive farming areas, attract private investment, create employment opportunities and strengthen regional trade linkages with neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea under the framework of the Mano River Union (MRU).
Ngafuan reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensure the timely ratification, and implementation of the Agreement, stressing that Liberia is prepared to swiftly move from financing to construction.
Beyond roads, BADEA is currently exploring additional financing opportunities in energy, water, sanitation and health sectors.
Discussions are also ongoing regarding potential support for the Botota to Mendikorma Electrification Project, water supply system in Ganta, Nimba County, Buchanan in Grand Bassa County, and in Kakata, Margibi County, sewage rehabilitation in Montserrado County, and other development interventions.
During the discussions that preceded the signing ceremony, Ngafuan also followed up on Pres. Boakai’s invitation to the BADEA President and delegation to visit along with other Arab financiers during Liberia’s 179th independence anniversary in July to dedicate the Gbarnga to Salayea Road Project (82 kilometers) jointly financed by BADEA, and other Arab lenders; officially launch the Salayea-Konia to Voinjama project.
In response, Almusabeed extended heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Pres. Boakai for the invitation, and assured that he has planned to visit Liberia in July for the dedication of the completed pavement of the Gbarnga to Salayea road, and the launch of the Salayea-Konia to Voinjama project, which BADEA has committed a financing package of US$30 million.
Macpherson C. Marbiah writes.