Africa-Press – Liberia. On the sidelines of the Liberia–EU Business Forum in Brussels, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Koen Doens, Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission (DG INTPA), along with senior officials from both sides.
According to a release from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the meeting focused on strengthening the enduring partnership between Liberia and the European Union, with a particular emphasis on economic cooperation, private sector investment, and sustainable development. Minister Ngafuan conveyed the appreciation of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Liberian people for the EU’s continuous and dependable support, especially during a period marked by global economic turbulence. He recalled that when international uncertainty led to major disruptions in development financing, the European Union remained engaged and supportive.
“At a time when the world became unpredictable and many programs were affected globally, the European Union stood with Liberia,” Minister Ngafuan said. “The budget support we received was timely and came at a critical fiscal moment. It helped us protect key priorities such as education, agriculture, health services, school feeding, and democratic governance.”
The Minister highlighted several EU-supported initiatives that continue to deliver visible results across Liberia, including youth empowerment programs, private sector development in fisheries and agro-processing, governance reforms, and election observation efforts. He noted that these interventions have strengthened public confidence and raised expectations for deeper cooperation.
Director-General Koen Doens reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to Liberia, describing the relationship as one rooted in shared values and a long-term partnership rather than short-term transactions.
“The European Union wants to remain a stable, reliable, and values-driven partner for Liberia,” Doens said. “Our approach is not transactional. It is about building lasting relationships and finding new ways to mobilize private investment alongside public resources, particularly through initiatives such as the Global Gateway.”
Discussions also emphasized the need to advance the partnership by bringing the European and Liberian private sectors closer together. Minister Ngafuan stressed that the Liberia–EU Business Forum is designed to create space for honest dialogue, address investor concerns, and correct outdated perceptions about Liberia’s business environment.
“There is a new Liberia,” the Minister said. “Democracy does not always move in a straight line, but we are working through the challenges, rebuilding confidence, and creating a more predictable environment for investors.”
Job creation and youth employment featured prominently in the talks, with both sides agreeing that accelerated private sector engagement is critical to transforming Liberia’s youthful population into an economic asset rather than a social risk.
The meeting also touched on cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and value-chain development, with power and energy identified as central to Liberia’s long-term transformation and industrial growth.
The engagement concluded with mutual appreciation and a shared commitment to follow up on key issues, including private-sector mobilization and flagship investment projects. Both parties expressed confidence that the Liberia–EU partnership remains strong, forward-looking, and well positioned to deliver tangible results for the Liberian people. Dispatch.
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