Monrovia, Liberia: Liberia has made modest yet significant strides in policy and institutional reforms, according to the 2025 Africa Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) Report released by the World Bank. The report reveals that Liberia improved its CPIA score to 3.1, up from 3.0 in the previous year marking a 0.1-point increase.

The CPIA, which evaluates the performance of African countries eligible for support from the International Development Association (IDA), focuses on critical areas such as economic management, structural policies, and public sector governance. Though labeled as the 2025 edition, the assessment covers developments from January to December 2024.

Liberia’s performance was particularly strong in macroeconomic stability and monetary policy, which remained tight throughout the year. The Central Bank of Liberia maintained a high policy rate, helping drive inflation to single digits a development described by the World Bank as a “notable macroeconomic achievement.”

The report commended Liberia for expanding financial inclusion, noting the increased usage of mobile money and ongoing efforts to establish a modern credit registry that is expected to boost credit access and improve financial transparency.

The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) also earned praise for improving tax administration, thanks to the deployment of systems like the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA). These tools contributed to improved efficiency and revenue generation. However, the report urged broader adoption of ITAS, enhanced customs processing, and stricter compliance enforcement.

According to the report, Liberia’s strongest performance came in the Economic Management cluster, while Public Sector Management and Institutions remained the weakest area.

Speaking at the launch event in Monrovia on Thursday, July 10, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for Africa, Dr. Andrew Dabalen, highlighted the importance of governance in development efforts.

“Confidence in a government’s ability to efficiently transform public resources into essential services is fundamental to fostering a shared purpose with citizens and improving trust,” Dr. Dabalen said.

He added that rising public expectations across Africa reflect a growing demand for transparency and better service delivery.

“Our CPIA Africa report underscores the urgent need for transparent management of public resources and the effective delivery of quality services to address growing dissatisfaction and empower citizens to reach their full potential,” he noted.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Liberian government, Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister Anthony G. Myers thanked the World Bank for choosing Liberia to host the report’s launch.

“This launch is more than symbolic; it is an opportunity for self-reflection and strategic reform,” said Hon. Myers. “While we acknowledge that the CPIA score falls short of our expectations, it serves as both a benchmark and a call to action.”

Hon. Myers praised the inclusive approach taken by the World Bank, noting that the report reflected input from a broad spectrum of Liberian stakeholders.

As Liberia continues to work toward economic resilience and institutional reform, the CPIA 2025 report offers a clear roadmap for policymakers, investors, and development partners to deepen engagement and support the country’s development agenda.

Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor