Finance Minister Expresses Optimism as MCC Board Meets Wednesday

Monrovia, Liberia - Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan says the country remains “firmly on track” for reaffirmation of its eligibility for a second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact, even as the U.S. government undergoes major policy shifts under President Donald Trump.

Addressing reporters at a press stakeout on Tuesday, Minister Ngafuan outlined Liberia’s sustained diplomatic and technical engagement with MCC officials since the compact was first approved last year under former U.S. President Joe Biden. That approval was placed under review following the U.S. election, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the MCC Board reassessing all pending commitments.

Hon. Ngafuan said Liberia has worked diligently to maintain momentum throughout the review period.

He averred that the government has ever since opened a dedicated MCC office at the Ministry of Finance, recruited a national coordinator and additional staff, and held multiple rounds of dialogue with MCC representatives both in Liberia and in Washington.

A two-week MCC mission led by Ms. Carrie Moynihan visited Monrovia in September, meeting with sector leaders and reviewing national priorities. President Boakai, Minister Ngafuan indicated that lobbying efforts continued during the U.S. diaspora conference, engaging directly with the MCC delegation.

“We are fairly confident we are on course,” Hon. Ngafuan stated. “From all the engagements thus far, the government remains optimistic.”

The Minister highlighted Liberia’s strong performance on the 2025 MCC scorecard, noting that the country passed 12 of 22 indicators surpassing the minimum requirement of 11 and importantly met the two critical “hard hurdles”: control of corruption and political rights and civil liberties.

 “You can pass all the other indicators, but if you fail those, you’re not considered to have passed,” Minister Ngafuan asserted.

He stressed that Liberia’s achievement stands out at a time when more than 16 countries, some in contention for second compacts have been dropped from consideration under the new U.S. administration’s stricter standards.

Finance Minister Ngafuan clarified that while Liberia had initially been approved for a second compact last year, the transition in Washington required nations to essentially “re-sit the entrance exam.”

“Tomorrow, the board will decide whether to reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility,” he said. “The President is confident. We are confident. But we give the Board the benefit of doubt. After tomorrow, we will know.”

If reaffirmation is granted, Minister Ngafuan said the next steps will involve detailed project identification, funding allocations, and compact design, processes that could take several months. Liberia’s priorities remain aligned with the MCC’s Constraints to Growth Analysis, with a strong focus on energy generation and distribution, rural road infrastructure, access to finance, and reforms in the business environment, governance, and education sectors.

 “Energy and infrastructure are the top priorities because they are catalysts for job creation and economic expansion,” he emphasized. The 2025 national budget, he added, reflects these strategic priorities.

Despite global uncertainty and the recalibration of U.S. foreign assistance under the Trump administration, Hon. Ngafuan underscored Liberia’s resilience and continued eligibility.

“Many countries were dropped,” he said. “Your country, my country, is still in. We are fairly on track, and I am hopeful Liberia will be reaffirmed for the second compact.”