MONROVIA – The Governments of Liberia and Japan have formally signed an Exchange of Notes to continue the KR Food Assistance Program in 2025, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two nations. The signing ceremony took place Tuesday in the Minister’s Conference Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Liberia’s Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei, described the event as a milestone in diplomatic, economic, cultural, and development cooperation between Liberia and Japan.
“This event today is a manifestation that Liberia-Japan relations continue to grow from strength to strength. We hope to maintain this momentum as we build solid bridges in our bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership on global issues,” Dr. Nyei stated. He extended profound gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support over the years.
The KR Food Assistance Program, which began in 2008 in response to the global food crisis, has evolved into one of Liberia’s most impactful and sustainable development cooperation frameworks. Japan has not only provided rice as a food commodity but has also established the Japanese Counterpart Value Fund (JCVF), an innovative financing mechanism that supports national development projects.
“The brilliance of this model lies in its dual impact. While addressing food insecurity, it simultaneously fuels national development projects that build infrastructure, expand human capital, and promote long-term growth. This demonstrates Japan’s profound respect for Liberia’s sovereignty and development priorities,” Dr. Nyei explained.
Speaking at the ceremony, Japan’s Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Hiroshi Yoshimoto, announced that the 2025 KR Food Assistance program is valued at 250 million Japanese Yen (approximately US$1.7 million), with rice shipments expected in 2026. The program will be managed by the JCVF at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the oversight of an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee chaired by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
“This program lays a strong foundation for self-sufficiency in rice production and consumption, while also contributing to Liberia’s broader economic growth,” Ambassador Yoshimoto said. He praised Liberia’s initiatives to boost local rice production and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to complement these efforts through technical cooperation projects led by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The Exchange of Notes for the 2025 KR Food Assistance program marks another chapter in the strong bilateral relations between Liberia and Japan, underscoring shared values of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect while directly addressing Liberia’s pressing development priorities.
