MONROVIA — Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has struck a balance between economic realism and personal philosophy, using his 56th birthday appearance on OK FM to deliver a dual message: the economy is holding steady, but resilience will be key in the face of global uncertainty.
Ngafuan outlined what he described as a strong economic performance in 2025, pointing to a projected growth rate of 5.1 percent and record domestic revenue generation exceeding $840 million.
“In 2025… we recorded Liberia’s highest domestic revenue generation,” he said.
He added that Liberia crossed the historic $1 billion national budget threshold, signaling improved fiscal capacity despite significant external shocks, including the abrupt withdrawal of over $300 million in foreign aid.
“We lost more than $300 million in aid… but we retreated, re-strategized, and worked hard,” Ngafuan explained.
Looking ahead, the government is projecting 5.6 percent growth in 2026 and a $1.2 billion budget. However, Ngafuan cautioned that global developments—particularly tensions affecting oil markets—pose serious risks.
“This is what economists call exogenous shocks,” he noted, referencing the ripple effects of international conflict on fuel prices.
Liberia, as a net importer of petroleum products, has already begun to feel the impact, prompting upward price adjustments and emergency policy responses.
“We are hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst,” he said.
Among mitigation measures, the government is working to stabilize transportation costs and support critical sectors such as healthcare, where rising fuel costs threaten service delivery.
“Our goal is to ensure that the National Transit Authority does not increase prices,” Ngafuan disclosed.
Yet beyond macroeconomic indicators, Ngafuan used the platform to deliver a broader message—one rooted in personal responsibility and national development.
“We are ordinary people who worked hard,” he said. “Don’t think that others who have drifted were weak… every one of us is weak.”
He urged Liberians, especially the youth, to reject complacency and embrace discipline.
“The formula for success is hard work and the grace of God,” he said.
Ngafuan also challenged perceptions of leadership, emphasizing that public office is not ownership but stewardship.
“We are all tenants… the job belongs to the Liberian people,” he stated.
As Liberia charts its economic course amid global uncertainty, Ngafuan’s message suggests that resilience—both institutional and personal—will be essential.
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