-Finance Minister Says Government Is Building Economic Foundations for Youth Employment Through Infrastructure, Technology, Investment and International Partnerships
BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has assured young Liberians that the Boakai administration is laying the economic foundation for expanded employment, entrepreneurship and digital opportunities, telling a Youth Townhall in Buchanan that the government’s strategy is focused on creating sustainable pathways for youth empowerment rather than short-term interventions.
Responding to a series of questions and recommendations from young people during the Youth Townhall Meeting held Saturday as part of activities leading to Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebrations, Ngafuan outlined several major government initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening the creative economy and expanding opportunities for young Liberians.
The interactive forum brought together President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, senior government officials, youth organizations and development partners to discuss employment, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, disability inclusion, rehabilitation, youth representation and national development.
Government Building the Foundation for Jobs
Addressing concerns about youth unemployment, Ngafuan emphasized that the administration is pursuing long-term investments designed to stimulate economic activity and create employment opportunities across Liberia.
He disclosed that financing has already been secured for major infrastructure projects, including the long-awaited Buchanan–Greenville highway, with financing support from Saudi and Kuwaiti partners expected to accelerate implementation.
According to him, these infrastructure investments are intended not only to improve transportation but also to stimulate local economies and generate employment for young people.
“The Saudis have decided to support some of the youth initiatives,” Ngafuan said, adding that Liberia is also expected to benefit from a US$30 million sports infrastructure initiative supported through Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with FIFA, with facilities planned across the country.
Creative Industry to Benefit from Digital Economy
Ngafuan also announced that the government intends to provide direct support to Liberia’s growing creative industry, acknowledging the increasing role of music, entertainment, digital content creation and other creative enterprises in youth employment.
He revealed that the upcoming national budget will include measures aimed at supporting creative entrepreneurs.
Beyond budgetary support, the Finance Minister highlighted the government’s ongoing National Switch Project, describing it as one of Liberia’s most significant digital transformation initiatives.
According to him, the project—being implemented in collaboration with the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and other institutions—will modernize the country’s payment ecosystem and help transition Liberia toward a 24-hour digital economy.
Ngafuan said the initiative will remove longstanding barriers that have prevented Liberian creatives and digital entrepreneurs from fully participating in global online commerce.
“People are talking about monetization of their creative work,” he noted. “PayPal and other digital payment systems are not enabled in our environment. We are solving that problem.”
He expressed confidence that once the digital payment infrastructure becomes operational, Liberia’s creative industry would “take off in a big way,” allowing young entrepreneurs to earn income from international markets.
Tax Relief and Retirement Reform Under Review
Responding to recommendations from participants on tax incentives and reducing Liberia’s retirement age from 60–65 years to 55 years to create more employment opportunities for youth, Ngafuan said government is carefully examining available policy options.
He indicated that discussions would continue with the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) regarding possible tax relief measures while noting that Liberia already offers several tax concessions.
On the retirement proposal, however, he cautioned that the issue involves complex social and economic considerations.
While earlier retirement could create vacancies for younger workers, he noted it could also affect older citizens and their families who continue to depend on employment income.
Ngafuan said the government is simultaneously working with the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) to strengthen retirement benefits so that public servants no longer fear retirement because of financial insecurity.
Youth Centers Planned Across All 15 Counties
Supporting the Finance Minister’s remarks, the Acting Minister of Youth and Sports announced that the government plans to establish Youth Pathway Centers in all fifteen counties as part of the administration’s youth development strategy.
According to the Acting Minister, each center will include modern youth facilities, offices for statutory youth organizations, sports infrastructure, vocational training opportunities and TVET facilities, creating one-stop hubs for youth empowerment.
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen drug rehabilitation services, noting that the Boakai administration has already established Liberia’s first government-supported rehabilitation center in Johnsonville and is working with partners to ensure its long-term sustainability.
The Acting Minister stressed that successful rehabilitation requires not only treatment centers but also sustained family and community support to reduce relapse among recovering substance users.
Addressing questions about the proposed Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, he explained that governance structures would be based on competence and established eligibility criteria developed in partnership with the African Development Bank, while encouraging youth organizations to nominate qualified young professionals for leadership positions.
Boakai Encourages Continued Youth Engagement
President Boakai welcomed the recommendations presented during the townhall and assured participants that youth issues would remain central to his administration’s governance agenda.
He encouraged young people whose recommendations could not be fully discussed during the session to submit them through the Youth Advisory Council, promising that government would review and consider their proposals.
“In this government, we want to make sure that youth issues are dealt with,” the President said, adding that there was “no hidden agenda” regarding youth participation in national development.
Foreign Minister Highlights International Support
Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, speaking at Ngafuan’s request, underscored the role of Liberia’s diplomatic engagement in securing resources for youth-focused initiatives.
She explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs works closely with the Ministry of Finance and other government institutions to strengthen bilateral partnerships that provide funding for national development programs.
Nyanti also announced that Liberia is working with the United Nations and international partners to ensure Liberian youth participate in a major Global Youth, Peace and Security event scheduled for September in New York, where young Liberians will engage international donors and development partners on youth empowerment and peacebuilding.
She described the initiative as part of President Boakai’s broader vision of expanding youth inclusion in Liberia’s development agenda.
Youth Push for Greater Opportunities
The townhall featured wide-ranging questions and recommendations from youth leaders representing student organizations, youth development groups, former child soldiers, persons with disabilities, entrepreneurs and agricultural organizations.
Participants called for stronger merit-based employment, expanded rehabilitation services for substance users, greater investment in youth entrepreneurship, improved support for agribusiness, increased disability inclusion, education reforms and broader youth participation in government institutions.
The Youth Townhall formed part of activities leading to Liberia’s 179th Independence Day celebration in Grand Bassa County and reflected the Boakai administration’s continuing effort to engage young people directly on national policy and development priorities.
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