Liberia: 'Liberia Must Compete for Investment, Not Dwindling Aid'

What the report says

Christine N. Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia and deputy chair of the country’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) steering committee, said Liberia needs to rethink how it pays for national development and reduce dependence on shrinking foreign aid. Speaking on August 11 at a steering committee meeting at Monrovia City Hall, she argued that the country should focus more on attracting investment, mobilizing domestic resources and using new financing tools to support its 2025-2029 development plan.

The meeting brought together government officials, development partners, civil society, private-sector actors and others to review progress on the AAID and discuss how to speed up implementation. Umutoni described the gathering as a shift from planning to delivering measurable results, and she praised the government’s inclusive approach while saying partnerships alone will not be enough without stronger institutions, accountability and effective execution.

According to the report, Umutoni said official development assistance is declining and donor priorities are changing, so Liberia should move from simply seeking funding to structuring projects that can attract different forms of capital. She pointed to domestic resource mobilization, climate finance, private investment and innovative financing as important parts of that approach. She also referenced a proposed Integrated National Financing Framework and Development Cooperation Policy being advanced by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

Umutoni urged Liberia to prioritize large, nationally owned flagship investments in areas such as human capital, economic transformation, food systems, digital development and climate resilience. She said the country’s young population, natural resources, location, peace and democratic record could help attract responsible investment, but only if backed by transparent and capable institutions.