Monrovia – To strengthen food security and combat hunger across the country, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has signed into law the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) Act of 2020. The legislation was officially approved on June 17, 2025, and printed and published by authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The newly signed Act establishes the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) as a statutory body with the responsibility to develop, implement, and coordinate national food assistance programs. The Agency will also work to enhance emergency food response mechanisms, support vulnerable populations, and partner with local and international institutions to address Liberia’s food insecurity challenges.
President Boakai described the law as a timely and critical instrument in his Administration’s broader agenda to promote social protection and reduce poverty. “This is a tangible step toward fulfilling our promise to ensure that no Liberian goes to bed hungry,” he noted, adding, “With the NFAA, we are institutionalizing a national commitment to protect the food rights of our citizens, especially those most in need.”
The NFAA will function under a Board of Directors and be headed by a Director General appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. The Agency will collaborate with relevant government ministries, non-governmental organizations, donor partners, and private sector actors to operationalize food assistance efforts across all fifteen counties.
The enactment of the NFAA Act signals a new era of structured and accountable food assistance delivery in Liberia. It aligns with international best practices and reinforces Liberia’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger.
The Boakai Administration remains committed to strengthening national systems and institutions to meet the pressing needs of the people and ensure inclusive development for all.
In late May of this year, Members of the House of Representatives concurred with the Liberian Senate on a new Law granting the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) autonomous status. Plenary decision was predicated on recommendations contained in a report from the Committee on Judiciary during its 3rd Day Sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature.
Rep. Michael Thomas, Chairman of Judiciary Committee, asserted that the passage of the Act Establishing the NFAA will ensure Food security, poverty reduction, good health, and sustainable agriculture. The Act also seeks to improve the management of food accessibility.
“Honorable Members, the Government’s intentions to sustainably utilize food resources, and recognize that the NFAA can execute its mandate as it’s enshrined in this Act; to serve as the logistical arm of the Government of Liberia, it is imperative that the agency be granted an autonomous status to enable it meet up with the demands and trends of global food security”. Rep. Thomas stated.
Before that, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., signed Executive Order No. 149, establishing the authority, scope, and functions of the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA). The Executive Order highlighted the Government’s commitment to eradicating hunger, improving nutrition, and ensuring food security for all Liberians under the ARREST Agenda. Executive Order No. 149 was built on past directives, including the now-expired Executive Order No. 129, and repositions the NFAA to better coordinate food assistance efforts across the country.
The NFAA will work in collaboration with key international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating hunger by 2030. “The reestablishment of the NFAA marks a bold step toward a hunger-free Liberia,” President Boakai said. “This agency will ensure that our children, farmers, and vulnerable populations are fed, empowered, and supported with dignity”. He added.
Under the new mandate, the NFAA will:
• Implement sustainable Home-Grown School Feeding programs using locally produced food.
• Purchase surplus produce from farmers for storage and redistribution to schools, hospitals, and prisons.
• Introduce a food stamp and free meal program for vulnerable groups, including the disabled, the elderly, pregnant women, and orphaned children.
• Develop regional food hubs and storage facilities across Liberia to strengthen food systems and respond quickly to emergencies.
The Executive Order also outlines the structure of the Agency, including a Board of Directors chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture and composed of key stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society. A Director-General, appointed by the President, will manage the Agency’s daily operations with support from deputies and specialized unit directors.
President Boakai emphasized that the NFAA’s operations will adhere to principles of good regulatory practice, including transparency, stakeholder engagement, and accountability. A national database of food-related NGOs will be created to improve coordination, and a monitoring mechanism will track the movement and impact of food donations nationwide.
