Monrovia, Liberia - President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has submitted a US$45 million Draft Supplementary Budget to the National Legislature for enactment.
The President’s submission is in fulfilment of Section 23.1 of the Amendment and Restatement of the Public Financial Management Law of 2009. It is driven by the imperative need to accelerate service delivery and advance key priorities under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The FY2026 Draft Supplementary Budget was presented to Speaker Richard N. Koon on Monday by Acting Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Anthony G. Myers on behalf of Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, who is currently leading a Liberian Government delegation at the World Bank/International Monetary Fund Spring Meeting in Washington DC, USA.
Acting Minister Myers noted that the sources of the additional revenue include US$40.0 million from delayed World Bank budget support for FY2025 and US$5.0 million from domestic revenue overperformance in FY2025.
He emphasized that the overperformance of domestic revenue was driven by robust tax policy measures and tax administrative efficiency, which offset the delayed World Bank budget support.
Minister Myers pointed out that the draft Supplementary Budget reaffirms the government’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens through targeted and people-centered interventions, with over 40 percent (US$19.3 million) allocated to the Health, Education, and Social Development Services Sectors, underscoring the Government’s focus on human capital development.
He disclosed that the Education Sector will receive US$7.3 million to support teacher enrolment, expand the school feeding programs, and settle outstanding obligations to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Health Sector US$10.9 million, including support for drug response initiatives and the acquisition of land for the construction of the National Children’s Hospital, and an additional US$1.05 million earmarked for social development services to strengthen community welfare and support vulnerable populations.
In furtherance of improving service delivery, US$7.2 million (15.9 percent) has been allocated to infrastructure and basic services. This includes US$4.02 million for the technical preparation and deployment of the “yellow machines” initiative.
Additionally, US$18.5 million is allocated to other priority areas to address emerging needs and sustain ongoing government programs, including US$5.1 million to strengthen security and the rule of law and respond to emerging challenges in the country’s security environment.
“This budget reflects a deliberate policy shift by this administration toward strengthening social protection systems, enhancing access to essential services, and investing in infrastructure that supports inclusive growth” Acting Minister Myers concluded.
In response, House Speaker Koon commended the Liberian leader, along with the policy and technical team at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, for their foresight in prioritizing increased investment in social services.
He particularly highlighted the allocations for the acquisition of land for a National Children’s Hospital and the provision of buses for the University of Liberia as commendable steps in the right direction, noting their potential to significantly improve access to essential services and support human capital development.
Upon approval, the FY2026 National Budget will increase from the current US$1,249,665,991 billion to US$1,294,665,191, representing a 3.6 percent increase. This adjustment also reflects a year-on-year growth of 47.0 percent, equivalent to approximately US$414.0 million, compared to the previous fiscal year.