Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has disclosed that the Government of Liberia is committed to accelerating national infrastructure development as a delegation from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) visits the country to review ongoing projects and assess financing for new priority interventions.
Minister Ngafuan spoke yesterday during a courtesy call by the Saudi delegation at his office in Monrovia. The Director of West Africa Operations of the Saudi Fund for Development, Mr. Abdulrahman Bin Ahujaa Al-Habri, heads the delegation.
The finance minister said the visit forms part of the government’s broader strategy to mobilize international financing to fast-track infrastructure and other critical economic development projects nationwide. Minister Ngafuan noted that, before the current administration assumed office, several infrastructure interventions were stalled due to the previous government’s inability to meet its financial commitments to development partners, including the Saudi Fund.
“It took the efforts of this administration to visit Kuwait to meet the Arab Lenders and reassure them of our willingness to reopen the partnership,” Ngafuan noted.
He disclosed that the Government of Liberia has already secured financing commitments for the Salayea–Konia corridor from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and entered into a concession arrangement with PAVIFORT for the Mendikorma–Voinjama corridor.
According to him, ongoing discussions with the Saudi Fund for Development for the Konia–Voinjama corridor would complete the financing framework for the entire Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway.
“What we are doing with our colleagues is to ensure that the road reaches Voinjama. The Saudi Fund is primarily interested in the leg from Konia to Voinjama,” Minister Ngafuan said.
He emphasized the strategic importance of the highway, noting that it connects agricultural- and mineral-rich counties to domestic markets and key cross-border trade posts, thereby boosting trade, investment, and regional integration.
“The road connects not only Lofa but also Bong County, which is rich in agriculture, minerals, and trade opportunities because of its borders with the Republic of Guinea,” he added.
Minister Ngafuan further announced that the Zorzor–Yeala Town road corridor, which hosts a major border immigration post, is also under consideration for possible financing by the Saudi Fund.
For his part, Mr. Al-Habri conveyed warm greetings from the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development and reaffirmed the more than 48-year partnership between the Republic of Liberia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He commended the current government’s credibility, describing it as a key factor in the Fund’s renewed engagement with the country.
Mr. Al-Habri expressed the SFD’s willingness to review proposals for priority development projects and provide financing where feasible.
Among the projects highlighted for consideration are the paving of the Konia–Voinjama corridor along the ongoing Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway, as well as the extension of electricity from the Botota CLSG Sub-Station to communities along the corridor.
Mr. Al-Habri disclosed that a formal request for financing of the electricity extension project has already been submitted by Liberia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Government of Liberia.
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