Financing and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has disclosed how, despite global economic headwinds, the economy continued to demonstrate resilience.
Ngfuan: “The country is not retreating, but moving forward with confidence and determination.”
He said, at a time when geopolitical interests are reshaping development priorities, and many of the world’s most vulnerable populations face growing uncertainty, they must reaffirm their collective responsibility to protect the poor; empower women and young people; support vulnerable communities and ensure that development remains people-center.
Ngafuan made the assertion at the opening of the 2026 United Nations Country Team Annual Retreat under the theme: “Catalyzing Impact and Collective Action in a New Development Reality: through the UN Cooperation Framework 2026-2030.”
The event was held on Tuesday, July 21, in Margibi County.
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) are a moral commitment to human dignity, equity and shared prosperity, and that commitment must remain unwavering.”
Ngafuan told the gathering that domestic revenue performance has improved significantly through strengthened tax administration and fiscal reforms.
“Between January 2024, and June 2026, macroeconomic indicators reflected sustained recovery supported by prudent economic management. Real GDP growth increased from 4.0 percent to 5.5 percent, bringing us closer to our 2029 target of 6.0 percent.”
Mr. Ngafuan disclosed how nominal GDP has expanded from approximately US$4.8 billion to US$5.64 billion, placing the country firmly on the path toward its medium-term target of US$6.5 billion.
He added: “Likewise, GDP per capita increased from US$861 to US$964, reflecting steady improvement in national income and economic opportunity.”
However, Ngafuan said, those achievements demonstrate that the country is doing its part by strengthening institutions, improve governance, expand domestic resource mobilization and create an enabling environment for investment and private sector growth.
As the global community redefined its engagement with developing countries, Ngafuan said, Africa should never be viewed simply through the lens of need, but should be recognized as a continent that has immense potential.
“Our continent is rich with natural resources, endowed with a youthful population, and full of innovation and opportunity. Those who invest in Africa today are investing in one of the world’s greatest engines of future growth.”
Mr. Ngafuan said, it is about time that country’s development demands that it move beyond good intentions to measurable action, fragmented initiatives to coordinated investments, and promises to tangible results that will improve the lives of its people.
He said, as government and its partners aligned their collective efforts behind the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, they must strengthen transparency, predictability and mutual accountability.
He then encouraged every development partner to clearly indicate the total value of financial support they intend to provide over the implementation period of the ARREST Agenda.
“Equally important, we ask that these commitments identify the specific pillars, flagship programs, counties, and projects that the funding will support.”
Such clarity, Ngafuan said, will enable the government to better coordinate investments, avoid duplication, identify financing gaps and maximize the development impact of every resource entrusted to the country.
“We therefore encourage all partner implementing interventions under the Cooperation Framework, and the ARREST Agenda to provide regular progress reports outlining achievements, implementation challenges, lessons and measurable development outcomes.”
Those reports, he said, will strengthen mutual accountability framework, improve evidence-based decision-making and assure the Liberian people that their collective commitments are translating into real improvements in their daily lives.
“After all, development is not measured by the amount of money committed, but by the lives that are transformed. As we implement the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, let us renew our commitment to partnership anchored in trust, transparency, accountability and shared purpose.
Ngafuan said, every dollar invested must aligned with the national priorities, every intervention should produce measurable results and development partners must also remain accountable for their commitments made.
Macpherson C. Marbiah writes.
