MONROVIA, Liberia — A high-level delegation from the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development on Monday, December 8, 2025, held a pivotal meeting with Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, reaffirming the Fund’s continued commitment to financing one of Liberia’s most strategically important road projects — the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway.
The Kuwaiti Fund has long been one of the lead Arab lenders supporting the project, alongside the Saudi Fund and the Abu Dhabi Fund. Monday’s discussions focused specifically on accelerating implementation of the Salayea–Konia section, one of the most challenging stretches of the corridor due to terrain, cost, and years of delays.
“We are here to assure you and finalize this technical mission concerning the corridor from Salayea to Konia,” said Nawaf Fares Al-Dabbous, Senior Engineer Adviser of the Kuwait Fund. The announcement signals that the project — long anticipated by communities in Lofa and Bong Counties — may soon move into more active execution stages.
A Lifeline Corridor for Trade and National Cohesion
The Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway is considered a national priority corridor because it connects central Liberia to the northwest and links Lofa County to the rest of the country. The road also serves as part of a regional trade connection toward Guinea and Sierra Leone, positioning Liberia to increase cross-border commerce, agricultural trade, and market expansion.
For years, residents and development partners have pressed for completion of the corridor, arguing that the lack of reliable road access has deepened rural poverty, raised transportation costs, and cut farmers off from markets.
Officials say the Salayea–Konia section is especially critical for finally linking Voinjama and surrounding communities to paved road networks during all seasons.
Ngafuan: “Your Presence Assures Us This Road Will Be Done”
Minister Ngafuan expressed deep gratitude to the delegation on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Liberian people.
“Seeing you makes us happy. Your presence assures us that the road from Salayea to Konia will be done,” Ngafuan said, describing the visit as a strong vote of confidence in the Boakai administration’s infrastructure agenda.
He noted that the government views road connectivity as one of the most pressing national development priorities under the ARREST Agenda, particularly for opening the interior, boosting agriculture, facilitating trade, and improving security mobility.
Liberia Promises Full Compliance With Financing Conditions
Minister Ngafuan assured the Kuwaiti Fund that Liberia will fully uphold its obligations under the financing agreement — a significant statement, given that past delays in road projects have sometimes been tied to missed government commitments or counterpart funding constraints.
“We will not slip on our obligations,” Ngafuan affirmed, pledging that the Ministry of Finance will work closely with the Ministry of Public Works and the Kuwait Fund to ensure project readiness and timely implementation.
Sources at the Ministry say Liberia has been working to clear outstanding administrative conditions and update technical studies to pave the way for disbursements and mobilization.
Kuwaiti Fund’s Longstanding Role in Liberia’s Infrastructure
The Kuwait Fund has been one of Liberia’s most reliable Arab partners, financing major national road corridors, including:
- Gbarnga–Salayea
- Ganta–Saclepea
- Sections of the Gbarnga–Zorzor axis
- Several rural secondary and feeder road programs
Their involvement in the Gbarnga–Mendikorma corridor dates back nearly a decade. Political instability, the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19 disruptions, and fiscal challenges have slowed the pace of implementation over the years, but Monday’s reaffirmation is widely seen as a revitalization of the partnership.
Officials say that the Fund’s renewed engagement demonstrates growing international confidence in Liberia’s new economic direction and infrastructure governance.
Communities Await Long-Delayed Relief
Residents of Lofa County, one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the country, have long expressed hope that the Mendikorma highway will open up markets for rice, cocoa, palm oil, livestock, and other commodities.
Improved road access is also expected to reduce travel time between Monrovia and Voinjama, which currently can take up to 12 hours during the rainy season due to mudslides and damaged road segments.
Local transport unions and market associations have already welcomed news of the Kuwait Fund’s reaffirmed commitment, arguing that the highway would “change the economic destiny” of the region if completed.
Next Steps: Technical Mission Report and Financial Confirmation
Officials from both sides say the delegation’s technical mission will conclude with a detailed report on engineering requirements, financing adjustments, timelines, and procurement readiness. That report will form the basis for finalizing the next phase of implementation.
A senior official familiar with the discussions said the government expects groundbreaking on the Salayea–Konia stretch once financing approvals and procurement milestones are cleared early next year.
