Liberia Unites Behind AfDB President’s Vision in Monumental National Dialogue

In a landmark show of national unity and commitment to progress, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai convened a rare full-spectrum government meeting to honor and engage with African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. The event, held on July 22, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, was historic not only for the caliber of participation—from all three branches of government—but also for the strategic policy insights and developmental milestones shared by Adesina as he approaches the end of his transformative decade at the Bank’s helm.

All Branches, One Purpose: A National Moment of Reflection and Aspiration

President Boakai emphasized the gravity of the occasion, highlighting the unified presence of Liberia’s executive, legislative, and judicial leaders as a testament to their collective reverence for Adesina's leadership and the Bank’s enduring partnership with Liberia.

“You have shown the world that bold ideas, when combined with clear vision and determination, can produce extraordinary results,” Boakai said in tribute to Adesina. “Through your leadership, the African Development Bank has invested in real solutions that touch lives every day.”

A Decade of Impact: Adesina’s AfDB Legacy in Liberia

Since 1967, the AfDB has injected over $1.02 billion into Liberia through 72 strategic projects. Adesina highlighted transformative achievements during his tenure, including:

• 2,500 km of regional power transmission lines connecting Liberia with Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

• The Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project, delivering nearly 40,000 new electricity connections.

• 177 km of critical roads, including the game-changing Fish Town–Harper and Karloken–Fish Town corridors.

These infrastructure projects are cornerstones of regional integration, economic growth, and national cohesion.

President Boakai reinforced that the AfDB’s portfolio is not merely financial metrics, but “roads that connect our communities, energy that lights homes and businesses, and agriculture projects that strengthen food security and create income for our farmers.”

Launch of the Liberia Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB)

A key highlight was the launch of the $17 million Liberia Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank (YEIB)—a pioneering initiative under the AfDB’s Youth in Africa strategy. Liberia becomes the first African country to operationalize this specialized youth-focused financial vehicle, targeting citizens aged 18–35 with entrepreneurial funding and support.

This milestone signals a new chapter in youth economic empowerment, with President Boakai hailing the initiative as a bold investment in Liberia’s most valuable resource—its young people.

Adesina’s Governance Blueprint: A 7-Point Reform Agenda

Delivering a rousing keynote titled “Liberia: Arise, and Shine!”, Adesina presented a 7-point governance framework aimed at unlocking Liberia’s full potential:

1. Set bold, clear, and ambitious goals

2. Focus on measurable results

3. Promote teamwork and institutional accountability

4. Reform public institutions—especially civil service and judiciary

5. Adopt a “One Government” approach to policy coordination

6. Create presidential awards for inter-agency performance

7. Apply performance discipline: reward achievers, release non-performers

He underscored the urgency of action: “The public is eager for results, and time is not on your side. Don’t just blow the whistle—use your yellow card or red card.”

Unlocking Liberia’s Potential: Value-Addition and Investment Readiness

Calling on Liberia to transition from raw exports to industrial value chains, Adesina asserted:

“With your vast natural resources, Liberia has no business being poor. The export of raw materials is the door to poverty. The export of value-added products is the highway to wealth.”

He also emphasized the importance of making Liberia “investable” through transparency, the rule of law, and eliminating revenue leakages—responding directly to a question on fiscal targets from Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah.

Adesina also addressed Education Minister Jarso Maley Jallah’s question on integrating entrepreneurship into education, advocating for a major push in technical and vocational training, especially given that 60% of Liberia’s population is under 35.

Mission 300, Solar Energy, and Liberia’s Development Future

Liberia is part of the Mission 300 compact, a joint African Development Bank–World Bank initiative aiming to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. Local entrepreneur Sannah Ziama lauded the initiative and called for enhanced solar investments to drive Liberia’s industrial growth.

As a transition state, Liberia continues to benefit from the Bank’s concessional arms—the African Development Fund, Transition Support Facility, and the Nigeria Trust Fund.

Honoring a Legacy: From Founding Member to Presidential Recognition

Liberia’s connection to the AfDB runs deep. In 1964, Liberian economist Romeo Alexander Horton chaired the Committee of Nine that established the Bank. In this spirit, President Boakai awarded Adesina the Presidential Pin of Honour, complementing his earlier accolade—the Order of the Star of Africa, Grade of Grand Band, received in 2018.

Adesina was joined by high-ranking Bank officials including Lamin Barrow (Director General for West Africa), Rufus Darkortey (Executive Director for Liberia and others), and Foday Yusuf Bob (Acting Country Manager).

A Lasting Bond

Closing the session, President Boakai summed up the national sentiment:

“Dr. Adesina, your legacy in Liberia is strong and enduring. The programs you have championed will continue to make an impact for years to come. Thank you for your faith in Liberia’s potential, and thank you for investing in our people—especially our youth.”

The gathering was not just a diplomatic courtesy, but a resonant call to action. It marked a pivotal moment for Liberia to align leadership vision, multilateral support, and youthful energy for transformational national development.