By Jamesetta D Williams
Talks between the Liberian delegation attending the 2026 African Development Bank Annual Meetings and a delegation from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) have gained momemtum.
Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Director General Waleed Shamlan Al-Bahar spearheaded the discussions.
The meeting focused on finalizing arrangements for the formal signing of a financing agreement between the Kuwaiti Fund and the Government of Liberia.
The agreement is tied to an earlier commitment of approximately US$15 million pledged by the Kuwaiti Fund to support the pavement of the Salayea to Konia road in Liberia’s Lofa County.
The road segment forms part of the larger Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway corridor, which is considered a key transport route linking major towns in northern Liberia.
According to officials, the Salayea–Konia section is part of a broader financing arrangement involving multiple Arab development partners, including the Saudi Fund, BADEA, and OFID, all of which have committed support toward the full pavement of the highway from Salayea to Voinjama. The project is expected to improve transportation, trade, and access to services across the region.
Beyond the road project, Minister Ngafuan and Director General Al-Bahar also discussed plans by the Kuwaiti Fund to expand its support into other priority sectors of Liberia’s national development agenda. These areas are expected to align with the country’s broader infrastructure and economic growth objectives.
The continued engagement between Liberia and the Kuwaiti Fund highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen international development partnerships and mobilize financing for critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity and economic development across the country.
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