MONROVIA – Liberia has been named among 87 candidate countries forwarded to the U.S. Congress by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for potential compact support in fiscal year 2026, marking a significant opportunity for the country to secure U.S. development funding aimed at fostering economic growth and reducing poverty.
The MCC Candidate Country Report, issued on August 28, 2025, identifies Liberia among more than 80 low- and middle-income countries that meet the criteria for eligibility under the Millennium Challenge Act of 2003. To qualify, a country must demonstrate commitment to democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in human capital, while also presenting opportunities to reduce poverty and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
Being listed as a candidate places Liberia under review for possible compact negotiations with MCC. These compacts are multi-year grant agreements designed to support infrastructure, governance, and social development projects that can drive economic progress and enhance national development priorities. The MCC Board of Directors will evaluate candidate countries based on policy performance indicators, before selecting those deemed “eligible” for FY 2026 compacts.
While Liberia is on the candidate list, other countries in the region were deemed ineligible. Ghana is excluded due to debt default restrictions under Section 7012 of the FY 2025 Supplemental Foreign Operations Appropriations Act, pending a debt restructuring agreement. Burkina Faso and Guinea were disqualified because of military coup-related restrictions. Other nations, including Iran, North Korea, and Syria, were ineligible due to sanctions or severe human rights concerns.
Liberia’s inclusion as a candidate country signals recognition of the nation’s progress in governance and economic reforms. Analysts note that successful negotiation of a compact could attract substantial U.S. investment in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, education, and health, providing a critical boost to Liberia’s development agenda.
MCC compacts are widely regarded as transformative development tools, supporting projects that reduce poverty and promote sustainable economic growth. For Liberia, being named a candidate represents both a validation of its policy reforms and an opportunity to access funding that could have a long-term impact on national development.
The next phase in the process will involve detailed evaluation of Liberia’s policy performance indicators by the MCC Board. If approved, Liberia could move swiftly into negotiations to finalize a compact that provides multi-year development assistance. Government officials in Monrovia are expected to engage with MCC representatives to ensure the country meets all requirements for eligibility and secures the funding necessary to accelerate economic growth.
Like this:
Like Loading…
