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— Boakai: “AAID represents more than just a set of policies—it is a bold commitment and a shared vision for the future of Liberia.”
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., finally launched the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), a comprehensive framework that aims to propel Liberia toward a prosperous future.
The launch of the agenda, which took place in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on Wednesday, January 15, also introduced the 15 County Development Agendas (CDAs) as part of the country’s fourth post-conflict National Development Plan.
The ambitious US$8.38 billion agenda, according to the Unity Party led administration, is built on the principles of transparency, accountability, and national ownership, setting the stage for a Liberia where no citizen is left behind.
AAID is a five-year development plan, and when fully implemented along with the CDAs, aims to improve the country’s socioeconomic progress. This includes a projected 37% increase in GDP, growing the economy from US$4.75 billion to US$6.5 billion, with a corresponding rise in per capita GDP.
With its six strategic pillars—Economic Transformation, Infrastructure Development, Rule of Law, Governance and Anti-Corruption, Environmental Sustainability, and Human Capital Development—the AAID seeks to address long-standing systemic challenges and establish a foundation for enduring progress.
President Boakai emphasized in his keynote address that the AAID represents more than just a set of policies—it is a bold commitment and a shared vision for the future of Liberia.
The agenda, which will guide Liberia from its current economic challenges to the goal of becoming a lower-middle-income country, builds on the achievements and lessons of previous national plans such as the Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Agenda for Transformation, and the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.
“This moment represents not just a plan but a renewed sense of purpose, a commitment to securing the continuous implementation of Liberia’s Vision 2030,” President Boakai said. “We must take deliberate actions to address the significant challenges facing our nation, including high unemployment, low literacy rates, widespread poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. It is time for transformation.”
The AAID and the County Development Agendas (CDAs) are designed to address the multidimensional poverty affecting a large portion of the population. The plan calls for a mindset shift to recognize the untapped potential within every Liberian, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development.
The president noted that Liberia’s young and dynamic population is a key driver of the country’s future success. He described the country’s abundant natural resources, strategic location, and rich cultural heritage as assets that will be harnessed to position Liberia as a regional hub for trade, tourism, and investment. However, he also acknowledged the need to confront ongoing challenges such as corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality education and healthcare.
“The AAID is a transformative agenda, and its success will require all of us to work together,” Boakai emphasized. “We must embrace good governance, modernize our economy, improve education and healthcare, and ensure that every Liberian, including women, youth, and the most vulnerable, has a voice in shaping our future.”
The AAID is the product of extensive consultations across Liberia’s 136 administrative districts and 15 counties, ensuring that the aspirations of Liberians from all walks of life—farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, and members of the diaspora—were incorporated. The president also highlighted the focus on peace, reconciliation, digital transformation, and creating opportunities for all citizens.
To achieve these goals, Boakai announced the formation of a National Steering Committee, which will oversee the implementation of the AAID and ensure transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. The plan aligns with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Africa’s Agenda 2063, and ECOWAS Vision 2050, ensuring that Liberia’s development is both sustainable and inclusive.
“This is our moment,” the president declared. “The AAID is not just a plan; it is a commitment between the Liberian people and our international partners. Together, we can transform Liberia into an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous nation.”
Boakai also expressed his gratitude to the development partners, civil society, the private sector, and all stakeholders for their unwavering support. He urged all government institutions to realign their operational frameworks and budgets to reflect the goals of the AAID and the CDAs, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in turning these plans into reality.
“The AAID is a dynamic framework that will evolve with our needs. We are committed to ensuring its execution remains flexible and adaptive, allowing us to rise together as a nation,” Boakai said.
In remarks, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan described the AAID as “a call to action” for all Liberians to rally behind a shared vision of progress. He emphasized that the plan reflects the collective aspirations of a nation determined to achieve inclusive prosperity.
Ngafuan highlighted the AAID’s ambitious targets, including a projected GDP increase of 37%, a rise in per capita income from US$850 to US$1,050, and significant reductions in maternal mortality and multidimensional poverty rates. These achievements, he said, would not only improve living conditions but also elevate Liberia’s position on the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index.
To realize these goals, the plan outlines a funding requirement of US$8.38 billion, with 30% expected to come from the Liberian government and the rest from development partners, the private sector, and other sources. Ngafuan announced that the government would implement an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) and a new Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy (DRMS) to ensure sustainable funding.
“This is not just a policy document; it is a bold blueprint for Liberia’s transformation,” Ngafuan stated passionately. “The AAID is a plan for the people, by the people, and with the people. It represents a collective effort to redefine our nation’s development trajectory and to ensure that every Liberian has a chance to thrive.”
Ngafuan praised the extensive consultations that informed the plan’s creation, highlighting the input from youth in urban centers, farmers in rural areas, civil society organizations, and the private sector. “This inclusivity is what makes the AAID unique and truly representative of our national character,” he remarked.
“Let this moment remind us that Liberia’s progress depends on each of us answering this call to action,” Ngafuan concluded. “Together, we will build a Liberia that stands as a beacon of hope, opportunity, and dignity for all.”
Also speaking at the launch, United Nations Resident Coordinator Madam Christiane N. Umutoni, representing the development partners’ community, hailed the AAID as a monumental achievement in Liberia’s development journey.
“On behalf of the United Nations System and all development partners in Liberia, it is a profound honor to join you at this historic moment,” Madam Umutoni declared. “Today, we celebrate the launch of the AAID, a defining moment shaped by national ownership and broad-based participation.”
She underscored the inclusivity of the plan, noting that voices from every corner of the country and beyond—youth, farmers, civil society, and the private sector—had shaped the document. “This inclusivity makes the AAID truly a plan of the people, by the people, and for the people,” she affirmed.
Madam Umutoni described the AAID as more than a roadmap; she called it a bold and innovative blueprint for transformation. The plan prioritizes interventions with maximum impact, shifts toward program-based budgeting, and emphasizes innovation and resilience to address global challenges like climate change and economic instability.
“The AAID is crucial because it addresses these gaps head-on. Its success will depend on strengthened institutional capacity, innovative financing, public-private partnerships, and transparent monitoring systems,” she stated.
