Ngafuan: “The road project will unlock economic opportunities for farmers, traders, businesses and local communities that have struggled for years with poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season.”
Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has finalized discussions for a US$15 million financing agreement with the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development.
The deal is to support the pavement of the Salayea to Konia road corridor in Lofa County.
The breakthrough agreement was reached during the 2026 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank, where Ngafuan led a high-level Liberian delegation in strategic discussions with international development partners.
The Kuwaiti delegation was headed by Director General Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar, who reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to Liberia’s infrastructure and economic transformation agenda.
The discussions centered on concluding final arrangements for the formal signing of the financing agreement.
It followed an earlier commitment the Kuwaiti Fund made to contribute approximately US$15 million to pave the Salayea-Konia road.
The Salayea-Konia corridor forms a component of the larger Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway, a strategic regional road network expected to boost transportation, trade, and economic activities.
The project represents another milestone under the development agenda of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, whose administration continues to prioritize road connectivity and national infrastructure modernization.
The pavement of the Salayea to Konia road is expected to improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities, and business opportunities for thousands of residents in Lofa and neighboring regions.
The Kuwaiti Fund is part of a consortium of Arab development financing institutions that have committed resources to road sector development.
The group includes the Saudi Fund for Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa and the OPEC Fund for International Development.
Together, these Arab lenders have pledged to fully finance the pavement of the entire Salayea to Voinjama highway corridor; a project widely viewed as transformative for the northern transportation network.
Mr. Ngafuan praised the growing partnership between Liberia and the Kuwaiti Fund.
He noted that the collaboration reflects increased international confidence in development direction and governance reforms.
He said, the road project will unlock economic opportunities for farmers, traders, businesses and local communities that have struggled for years with poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season.
Officials at the meeting also discussed plans for the Kuwaiti Fund to scale up support for other sectors of national development agenda.
The discussions reportedly covered future investments in infrastructure, economic growth initiatives, and additional development priorities to improve the lives of ordinary Liberians.
Mr. Al-Bahar reaffirmed the Kuwaiti Fund’s willingness to deepen bilateral cooperation with Liberia through sustainable development financing and strategic partnerships.
Observers at the meetings described the discussions as “highly productive and indicative of Liberia’s growing engagement with international financing institutions.”
The financing package is expected to accelerate implementation of the long-awaited road project, and strengthen regional connectivity between Bong and Lofa counties.
Liberians have repeatedly welcomed government’s efforts to pave the road.
They described the project as essential for commerce, agriculture, tourism and social development.
The latest financing breakthrough also demonstrates Liberia’s ability to attract credible international partners committed to support the country’s long-term development ambitions.
As preparations move toward the formal signing ceremony, many Liberians see the agreement as another major achievement in the government’s drive to modernize infrastructure and stimulate economic growth.
With international support, the Salayea to Konia road project is expected to stand as a symbol of progress, regional cooperation, and Liberia’s determination to build a stronger and more connected future.