Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has held a series of high-level meetings with officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and key U.S. government institutions during President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s official visit to the United States.

On Thursday, July 10, Minister Ngafuan met with Mr. Bo Li, Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, at the Fund’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The meeting focused on Liberia’s economic progress under the ongoing Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and future support under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

Deputy Managing Director Li expressed strong satisfaction with Liberia’s macroeconomic improvements, citing reduced fiscal deficits, enhanced public financial management (PFM) reforms, stronger governance, and private sector growth. He praised President Boakai’s leadership and asked Minister Ngafuan to convey the IMF’s commendation for the President’s role in advancing the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).

Mr. Li disclosed that the IMF is finalizing the second ECF review and Article IV consultations, which will clear the way for Liberia’s potential enrollment into the Resilience and Sustainability Facility a key support mechanism for climate adaptation and resilience financing. A climate policy diagnostic mission is expected to visit Liberia by the end of July to conduct a Climate Public Investment Management Assessment (c-PIMA).

The findings of the c-PIMA will guide the scale and scope of Liberia’s future access to climate finance under the RSF. Mr. Li also revealed that, once Liberia qualifies for the RSF—possibly in 2026 the IMF will convene a donor roundtable to mobilize additional resources for Liberia’s infrastructure and AAID priorities.

Minister Ngafuan, a member of President Boakai’s delegation, thanked the IMF for its unwavering support during challenging periods, which has enabled Liberia to make meaningful progress in achieving its development targets. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and responsible economic management, pledging to deepen the partnership with the IMF.

Ngafuan also updated the Fund on Liberia’s recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027, which he noted will advance Liberia’s economic diplomacy goals. He further emphasized the significance of President Boakai’s invitation to the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting it as a sign of renewed U.S.-Liberia relations aimed at enhancing trade and investment.

Meetings with U.S. Government Institutions

As part of his engagements, on Wednesday, July 9, Minister Ngafuan and Deputy Finance Minister Dehpue Zuo held discussions at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) headquarters with senior MCC officials, including Ms. Alicia Robinson-Morgan, Managing Director of the Department of Compact Operations.

Talks centered on Liberia’s Second Compact program and the country’s eligibility, confirmed in December 2024. Minister Ngafuan commended MCC for its past support—particularly in rehabilitating the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, which has boosted Liberia’s energy capacity and economy.

He stressed the importance of MCC’s continued partnership in addressing Liberia’s development constraints, especially in energy access and road infrastructure, both of which are essential to unlocking trade and investment potential.

Responding on behalf of MCC, Dr. Sohan Dasgupta reaffirmed the U.S. government’s longstanding partnership with Liberia and acknowledged the strategic vision of President Boakai’s AAID agenda. He clarified that Liberia’s Compact operations were under review by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and that discussions with Minister Ngafuan would inform next steps.

On Tuesday, July 8, Minister Ngafuan also met with Mr. Mateo Goldman, Senior Vice President of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), alongside Ambassador Alhassan Conteh and Deputy Minister Zuo. Discussions focused on increasing DFC investments in Liberia’s private sector, particularly in energy, agriculture, and finance.

Faith-Based Engagement at the White House

On Thursday, July 10, Minister Ngafuan concluded his official meetings with a visit to the White House Faith Office, where he met with Mr. Dave Donaldson, Special Assistant to President Trump’s Spiritual Advisor, Ms. Paula White.

The meeting, facilitated by Ms. White, explored opportunities for mobilizing support for Liberia’s education and health sectors, which have faced setbacks due to the cancellation of some USAID-funded projects. Mr. Donaldson pledged the Faith Office’s collaboration with faith-based institutions and U.S. agencies to help sustain Liberia’s progress in these vital sectors.

Strong Momentum for Liberia’s Development Goals

Minister Ngafuan’s engagements in Washington reflect a broader effort by the Boakai-led government to strengthen international partnerships, mobilize resources, and bolster investor confidence in Liberia’s economy. With strong backing from the IMF and renewed interest from U.S. agencies, Liberia’s development agenda under the AAID framework appears to be gaining significant momentum on the global stage.