MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s path toward a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact formally entered a critical new phase on Thursday, January 15, as a high-level MCC delegation arrived in the country to begin technical and stakeholder engagements aimed at shaping the next major U.S.-funded development program.
Welcoming the delegation at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the visit as a decisive step forward following Liberia’s reaffirmation for a second compact by the MCC Board in December 2025.
“This is not the end of a journey; it is the beginning of a very demanding process that will require hard work, discipline, and a whole-of-government approach,” Minister Ngafuan told everyone, recalling the long and often difficult road that led to Liberia’s renewed eligibility.
MCC Team in Monrovia: From Reaffirmation to Action
Liberia’s reaffirmation for a second compact followed months of intensive engagement with MCC, including a constraints-to-growth analysis mission led by the MCC team in September 2025 and high-level consultations in Washington, D.C., chaired by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
Minister Ngafuan noted that the December decision by the MCC Board — which he famously described as “a good Christmas for our people” — was the product of sustained dialogue, institutional reforms, and Liberia’s demonstrated commitment to accountability and performance.
“The road to reaffirmation was not straight. There were bumps and challenges, but through honest conversations and partnership, we showed that Liberia is deserving of a second compact,” he said.
Compact Development Enters Technical Phase
With eligibility secured, the focus has now shifted to the technically demanding compact development process, which typically spans up to two years. Minister Ngafuan announced that the government has already begun expediting the recruitment of leadership and staff for a new MCC Liberia Office, with the aim of having key personnel in place before a major analytical workshop scheduled for February.
According to the Minister, vacancy announcements have already attracted overwhelming interest, signaling strong national ownership of the process.
“We want the leadership in place before the deeper technical discussions in February. Liberia intends to move quickly and decisively,” he said.
MCC: Liberia’s First Compact Success Key to Reaffirmation
The MCC delegation is led by Ms. Carrie Monahan, Managing Director for Africa at the Millennium Challenge Corporation. In her remarks, Monahan emphasized that Liberia’s performance under its first compact played a decisive role in the Board’s decision to reaffirm eligibility.
“This year’s Board review was extremely competitive,” Monahan said. “Liberia’s success under the first compact and the depth of the U.S.–Liberia partnership weighed heavily in its favor.”
Liberia’s first MCC compact, which focused primarily on energy and infrastructure investments, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most impactful development programs in recent history.
Data-Driven, Inclusive Approach
Monahan explained that MCC compacts are built on rigorous data analysis and extensive consultations across government, civil society, and the private sector. A central milestone in the coming weeks will be a root cause analysis workshop in February, designed to identify the fundamental barriers to economic growth in key sectors.
“This process is not just about government. It includes voices from the private sector, civil society, and communities across Liberia,” she said. “The goal is to design investments that address real constraints and unlock sustainable growth.”
She stressed that while MCC provides technical and financial support, compact development remains country-led, with the Government of Liberia responsible for shaping priorities and driving implementation.
U.S. Embassy Reaffirms Support
Also speaking at the event, Joseph E. Zadrozny, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, welcomed the new year by underscoring the importance of continuity and partnership.
“This is a strong way to start the year — by taking concrete next steps toward the second compact,” Zadrozny said, reaffirming the Embassy’s commitment to working closely with the Liberian government throughout the process.
A Milestone in a Long-Standing Partnership
The MCC delegation’s visit marks the opening stage of what is expected to be a transformative development program aimed at accelerating economic growth, creating jobs, strengthening governance, and expanding opportunity across Liberia.
For the Boakai administration, the second compact represents both a test of institutional capacity and a chance to deliver large-scale, evidence-based investments that respond directly to Liberia’s development challenges.
As Minister Ngafuan concluded, “Our people are excited. Our responsibility now is to turn that excitement into tangible results.”
