Africa-Press – Liberia. By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, December 10, 2025: The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, says it is very confident and optimistic about the second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact.
“I can safely say we are on track for the reaffirmation of our eligibility for a second MCC compact despite the major policy shifts the US government undertook.”
Addressing reporters at a press stakeout yesterday, December 9, 2025, Minister Ngafuan outlined Liberia’s sustained diplomatic and technical engagement with MCC officials since the compact was first approved last year under former U.S. President Joe Biden.
That approval was placed under review following the U.S. election, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the MCC Board reassessing all pending commitments, adding that Liberia has worked diligently to maintain momentum throughout the review period.
He averred that the government has since opened a dedicated MCC office at the Ministry of Finance, recruited a national coordinator and additional staff, and held multiple rounds of dialogue with MCC representatives in both Liberia and Washington.
Recently, a two-week MCC mission visit led by Ms. Carrie Moynihan visited Monrovia in September, meeting with sector leaders and reviewing national priorities. President Boakai and Minister Ngafuan indicated that lobbying efforts continued during the U.S. diaspora conference, engaging directly with the MCC delegation.
“We are fairly confident we are on course,” Ngafuan stated. “From all the engagements thus far, the government remains optimistic. “The Minister highlighted Liberia’s strong performance on the 2025 MCC scorecard, noting that the country passed 12 of 22 indicators, surpassing the minimum requirement of 11, and importantly, met the two critical “hard hurdles”: control of corruption and political rights and civil liberties.
“You can pass all the other indicators, but if you fail those, you’re not considered to have passed,” Minister Ngafuan asserted. he stressed that Liberia’s achievement stands out at a time when more than 16 countries, some in contention for second compacts, have been dropped from consideration under the new U.S. administration’s stricter standards.
Finance Minister Ngafuan clarified that while Liberia had initially been approved for a second compact last year, the transition in Washington required nations to essentially “re-sit the entrance exam.”
“Tomorrow, the board will decide whether to reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility, said the confident President. We are confident. But we give the Board the benefit of the doubt. After tomorrow, we will know.”
If reaffirmation is granted, Minister Ngafuan said the following steps will involve detailed project identification, funding allocations, and compact design processes, which could take several months. Liberia’s priorities remain aligned with the MCC’s Constraints to Growth Analysis, with a strong focus on energy generation and distribution, rural road infrastructure, access to finance, and reforms in the business environment, governance, and education sectors.
“Energy and infrastructure are the top priorities because they are catalysts for job creation and economic expansion,” he emphasized. The 2025 national budget, he added, reflects these strategic priorities.
Despite global uncertainty and the recalibration of U.S. foreign assistance under the Trump administration, Hon. Ngafuan underscored Liberia’s resilience and continued eligibility.
“Many countries were dropped,” he said. “Your country, my country, is still in. We are fairly on track, and I am hopeful Liberia will be reaffirmed for the second compact.”
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