Delays and other challenges have been identified as major impediments to Liberia’s infrastructure development portfolio during the visit of World Bank Group Executive Director for Liberia, Mr. Zarau Wendeline Kibwe.
While in Liberia, Mr. Kibwe held high-level discussions in Monrovia aimed at strengthening development cooperation, assessing ongoing projects, and identifying new investment opportunities aligned with Liberia’s national priorities.
He also with the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, along with senior government officials and representatives from key institutions.
The visit focused on reviewing the performance of World Bank-supported projects and addressing implementation challenges affecting delivery and disbursement rates.
Discussions centered on evaluating how World Bank-funded initiatives are improving the livelihoods of ordinary Liberians, while also identifying bottlenecks that have slowed project execution.
Officials acknowledged persistent challenges, including delays in implementation and inefficiencies in project coordination.
In response, the Government of Liberia disclosed plans to undertake a comprehensive portfolio review aimed at improving efficiency, accelerating delivery, and ensuring better utilization of development resources.
Priority sectors identified for enhanced attention include infrastructure development, public works, and water service delivery areas considered critical to national growth and service improvement.
Speaking at the start of the meeting, Minister Ngafuan underscored the importance of Liberia’s partnership with the World Bank, describing it as a key pillar of the country’s development strategy.
He noted that Liberia continues to face external economic shocks and fiscal pressures amid global geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges, but reaffirmed government commitment to maintaining stability and reform momentum.
“Our partnership with the World Bank remains strong and impactful,” he stated, highlighting the institution’s role in supporting Liberia through periods of economic uncertainty and resilience-building efforts.
Despite implementation challenges, the Minister pointed to recent improvements, including increased disbursement rates, better project execution, and an expanding pipeline of development projects.
He noted that these efforts are already producing visible results, particularly in road connectivity and access to essential services.
For his part, Mr. Kibwe reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to Liberia, emphasizing that the country remains an important partner and shareholder within the institution.
He commended Liberia’s relative macroeconomic stability despite global pressures, noting that its performance compares favorably within the region and reflects prudent fiscal management.
However, he stressed the need for continued reforms to improve the business environment, attract investment, and generate employment opportunities. According to him, these priorities remain central to the World Bank’s engagement in Liberia.
The meeting brought together key officials, including World Bank Country Manager for Liberia Georgia Wallen, Senior Advisor to the Executive Director Dr. Plingloh Emmanuel Munyeneh, Central Bank Governor Henry Saamoi, Minister of Public Works Roland Giddings, and Forestry Development Authority Managing Director Rudolph J. Merab, Sr., among others.
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