By Jamesetta D Williams
MOMROVIA – The Liberian Government, according to Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah, has taken another major step toward securing a second compact under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) program.
Minister Piah, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, disclosed that Liberia’s Compact Development Team has completed and submitted the country’s Compact Note, a key document outlining national development priorities for consideration by the MCC.
He said the Compact Note focuses primarily on addressing Liberia’s energy challenges, which continue to constrain economic growth, industrial expansion, and private sector development.
“The Compact Note lays out Liberia’s priorities, especially as we seek to address the binding constraints related to electricity and critical industries,” Piah said.
He explained that the submission of the Compact Note marks an important stage in the MCC process. The document will now be reviewed by the MCC, which will subsequently determine the scope, value, and focus areas of the grant package that Liberia could receive under a second compact.
Minister Piah noted that while Liberia has already qualified for a second MCC Compact, the amount of funding the country will ultimately receive remains unknown until the review process is completed.
“We know that Liberia has qualified for a second compact, but we do not yet know the amount that will be awarded. Whether it will be US$300 million, US$400 million, or more will depend on the MCC’s assessment of the Compact Note,” he stated.
Liberia previously benefited from a US$257 million MCC Compact during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The program supported several major development initiatives, including investments in the country’s energy sector and the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant.
Piah emphasized the significance of MCC funding, noting that unlike traditional loans, MCC assistance is provided as a grant and does not require repayment.
“The MCC Compact is important because it is grant funding. It is free money that does not have to be paid back and can be used to undertake critical national development projects,” he said.
The government says it remains committed to working closely with the MCC throughout the review process and hopes the second compact will provide substantial support for Liberia’s long-term development goals.
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