By Vaye Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia has officially launched preparations for the 2026 National Budget, with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning placing strong emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and alignment with the country’s development agenda.
In a detailed opening statement, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine K . Ngafuan emphasized the importance of ensuring that every dollar in the national budget is allocated efficiently and transparently, with direct benefits to the Liberian people.
“The 2026 national budget must serve not just as a financial document, but as a credible instrument to accelerate delivery, reduce poverty, and uplift the quality of life for all Liberians,” the Minister said.
The Minister emphasized that the government’s priorities for the coming year include agriculture, education, sanitation, infrastructure, health, and tourism. These sectors are seen as critical to transforming Liberia’s economy and addressing longstanding development challenges.
This year’s process will adopt results-driven and baseline budgeting approaches, supported by medium-term planning to ensure allocations are rooted in practical outcomes. Stakeholder engagement will be central to the budget formulation process, including coordination across ministries and agencies.
“Budgets must not just reflect numbers but serve as a social contract between the government and its citizens,” the Minister added. “We must build roads, support our farmers, equip schools, improve healthcare, and unlock tourism potential.”
He highlighted the need for realism in projections and prioritization of flagship projects. Ministries and agencies were urged to submit budget proposals aligned with national goals and measurable results.
Revenue Growth and Historic Gains
Looking back, the Minister lauded Liberia’s record-breaking domestic revenue generation in 2024, which exceeded LRD 698 million—the highest in the nation’s history. Despite early-year fiscal challenges, revenue targets were surpassed, thanks to robust reforms and enhanced compliance.
“We are proud of the teams at the Liberia Revenue Authority and partner institutions for delivering on our revenue targets,” the Minister said. “This demonstrates our capacity to finance development through domestic resource mobilization.”
The Minister also acknowledged support from international partners including the IMF and the African Development Bank, noting their role in strengthening Liberia’s fiscal management and institutional capacity.
Energy and infrastructure were spotlighted as key constraints to growth. The Minister pointed to the high cost of electricity and outlined ongoing efforts to implement the Liberia Energy Compact, which aims to expand electricity access from 33% to 75% by 2030.
On infrastructure, he praised ongoing road development projects, citing improvements along corridors such as Ganta to Zwedru and the successful construction of new bridges. These achievements are seen as critical to economic inclusion and regional integration.
The Minister called for greater efficiency in spending, noting that performance should be based on output rather than input. Agencies with similar budgets were delivering at different levels due to disparities in capacity and execution.
“We must be serious about delivery,” he warned. “We are monitoring performance both formally and informally, and we will take appropriate actions where necessary. This is not about punishment but about results.” “We no longer wait for international signals. We are in the driver’s seat, and this year we intend to meet every legal timeline once again.”
In conclusion, the Minister urged all ministries, agencies, and commissions to be “client-sensitive,” stressing that government’s role is to enable service delivery, not to frustrate progress. “We are committed to transparency, responsibility, and ambition. Let us begin this process with unity and purpose, and build a budget that lives up to the hopes of the Liberian people,” he concluded.
