Ngafuan Calls for Stronger AfDB Support as Constituency 15 Countries Navigate Global Economic Pressures

Brazzaville, Congo – The Chairman of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Constituency, Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has underscored the resilience of the constituency's countries amid mounting global economic uncertainties, while calling for deeper partnership and stronger institutional support from the African Development Bank Group.

Delivering a special statement at the Annual Meeting of the Constituency in Brazzaville on Monday as the Annual Meetings of the AfDB began, Minister Ngafuan noted that member countries continue to confront a difficult global environment characterized by elevated inflation, commodity price volatility, climate-related shocks, and tightening access to external financing.

 

Despite these challenges, the Constituency 15 Chairman praised the resilience demonstrated across the constituency and emphasized the urgent need for expanded analytical, advisory, and financial support to help countries strengthen macroeconomic buffers, diversify their economies, and build long-term resilience.

 

Minister Ngafuan stressed that access to affordable and predictable financing remains critical for fragile and transition states across the constituency. He called for a robust replenishment of the African Development Fund (ADF), sustained support for the Transition Support Facility (TSF), and an expanded deployment of innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance and private-sector mobilization instruments.

 

The Liberian Finance and Development Planning Minister further emphasized the importance of increased representation of member states of the Constituency in the AfDB workfoce and stronger decentralized operations within the African Development Bank, noting that effective country-level presence significantly improves portfolio implementation, accountability, and delivery of development outcomes.

 

He reaffirmed the constituency’s support for reforms aimed at enhancing the Bank’s operational efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness to member states, while encouraging continued collaboration between the Bank and African countries in advancing sustainable development goals.

 

Reporting on Liberia, Minister Ngafuan highlighted encouraging macroeconomic developments despite persistent structural vulnerabilities and external shocks. He noted that Liberia continues to record steady, though modest, economic growth driven primarily by the agriculture, mining, and services sectors, while pursuing key structural reforms to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, improve public financial management, and create a more favorable business environment.

 

According to the Minister, Liberia’s active African Development Bank portfolio currently comprises 17 projects valued at approximately US$350 million, covering critical sectors including transport, energy, agriculture, governance, and finance. He noted that transport alone accounts for 64 percent of the portfolio, reflecting Liberia’s commitment to improving road connectivity, regional integration, and trade facilitation.

 

Minister Ngafuan also highlighted significant improvements in portfolio performance between 2023 and 2025. Liberia’s disbursement ratio increased from 43 percent in 2023 to 51 percent by November 2025, while flagged projects declined from 47 percent to 32 percent over the same period. He attributed these gains to stronger collaboration between the Government of Liberia and the Bank.

 

Reaffirming Liberia’s unwavering commitment to the African Development Bank Group and its development mission across the continent, the Minister declared: “We came here in a spirit of partnership, accountability, and shared ambition to build an Africa that is prosperous, inclusive, and resilient.”