The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Managing Director for Africa, Jason Small, the Program Officer for Africa, Ilana Shapiro, and the U.S Ambassador Mark Toner, have met and held discussion with Liberia’s Finance Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan on significant progress towards MCC Compact.
Speaking during the visit Monday, January 20, 2025 at the Ministry of Finance in Monrovia, Minister Ngafuan said there are tangible evidence to show what the first Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact did for Liberia.
He mentioned electricity, the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Authority (LERA), the purchased of pipe to rehabilitate water supplies in Monrovia, the establishment of the road fund, the rehabilitation of roads and employment.
The Finance Minister calls on Liberians to unit for more development, adding that the MCC has brought every citizen together, no matter their political affiliation or religious background.
He said there is a need for development to surpass political and social divides and the MCC efforts are meant to benefit all Liberians.
Minister Ngafuan assured the MCC delegation that a constraint analysis is underway to help guide the allocation of MCC funding to crucial development sectors, reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to working with the MCC to ensure Compact II brings lasting benefits to the nation.
U.S Ambassador to Liberia Mark Toner described the meeting as a start of what will continue between the both countries for many years as they develop the MCC Compact.
Ambassador Toner said the development of the MCC Compact is a win for Liberia and the MCC delegation will work closely with the Ministry of Finance. He said it is the beginning of a long process as both teams identified areas and sectors where the MCC is needed.
The MCC Managing Director for Africa Jason Small acknowledged the longstanding partnership between Liberia and the MCC.
“I know, Mr. Minister, you and your team are eager to get moving on the compact team, so that is why we are here so we can start to talk about the long road ahead and develop a compact that will be highly transparent for the people of Liberia,” he said.
The delegation is in Liberia to also focus on steps in staff recruitment, diagnosis study on modalities of the compact, and the establishment of a Millennium Challenge Corporation office in Liberia. They are in Liberia on a 3-day technical working visit from 20th – 22nd January for the preparation of Liberia’s Compact.
