By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA — Liberia is hosting representatives from 35 African countries for a major gathering of Road Maintenance Funds leaders, CEOs, development partners, and technical experts, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s road sector. The conference, organized under the auspices of the African Association of Road Maintenance Funds (AFERA), aims to enhance sustainable road financing, expand road coverage, and promote economic, social, and environmental development across the continent.
Speaking at the opening session, officials emphasized AFERA’s core mission: promoting effective and sustainable road maintenance funds through collaboration, strategic partnerships, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices. The Association now comprises 35 member states from West, Central, East, and Southern Africa, each operating at different levels of road fund development.
Liberia’s leadership expressed gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for supporting the hosting of the event and for entrusting young professionals with key responsibilities in the sector. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Works, and several other government institutions were credited for working collaboratively to ensure the success of the conference.
According to organizers, the event provides an opportunity for countries to exchange technical expertise, develop innovative financing strategies, and collectively respond to challenges such as climate change impacts on road infrastructure. AFERA has also announced the establishment of a training facility in Nairobi to build the capacity of road sector actors across the continent.
Over the coming days, delegates will review previous resolutions, consider new policy directions, and evaluate member states’ performance based on quarterly technical reports. Elections for new leadership positions within the Association will also be held.
The conference will feature an official opening ceremony, intellectual exchanges, presentations by investors, and a technical field visit to key road corridors in Monrovia, in collaboration with the Ministries of Public Works, Transport, and Internal Affairs.
Liberia’s Road Fund leadership encouraged young Liberians to seize opportunities emerging from the event—particularly in engineering, environmental studies, ICT, and other technical fields—by registering businesses and submitting proposals to relevant government institutions.
As the continent works toward strengthening the financing and management of road networks, Liberia’s hosting of the AFERA conference underscores its commitment to improving road infrastructure and contributing to regional development efforts.
