Monrovia – Liberia’s ambitious decentralization agenda is facing a serious threat as a new assessment by Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has uncovered major fiscal, institutional, and governance gaps that continue to undermine county-level development and citizen participation.
By Patience M. Jones
The findings, unveiled Tuesday during the launch of a policy brief on decentralization and local governance at the Governance Commission in Monrovia, paint a troubling picture of a reform process struggling to move from policy promises to practical implementation.
According to the report, counties are receiving only a fraction of the funding needed to implement development projects identified by citizens through County Development Agendas (CDAs).
While the Government of Liberia(GoL) committed to providing US$5 million annually to each county, actual FY2025 allocations through the County Development Fund (CDF), Social Development Fund (SDF), and County Service Centers (CSC) totalled just US$2.29 million for Bong, Grand Bassa, and Margibi Counties combined.
The study found an alarming 85 percent gap between government commitments and actual financing, leaving county development priorities significantly underfunded.
Researchers further warned that if current funding trends continue, the cumulative financing deficit across the three counties could reach approximately US$179.4 million by 2029, severely limiting the ability of local governments to deliver infrastructure, education, health and other essential public services.
Speaking at the launch, Governance Commission Acting Chairman Alaric K. Tokpa described decentralization as one of Liberia’s most important governance reforms but acknowledged that significant challenges remain in translating legal frameworks into tangible development outcomes.
“Decentralization is not simply about creating institutions,” Mr. Tokpa said. “It is about empowering citizens, strengthening accountability, fostering local ownership of development, and improving public service delivery.”
The assessment examined implementation of the Local Government Act, the National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance, and the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
It sought to determine whether authority, resources, and decision-making powers promised to counties are actually reaching local communities. Despite the funding crisis, the report noted encouraging signs.
Approximately 81.6 percent of county projects were aligned with citizen priorities, demonstrating that local authorities are generally pursuing development initiatives identified by residents. Bong County recorded the highest alignment at 88.2 percent, followed by Margibi at 85.7 percent and Grand Bassa at 72.2 percent.
However, researchers found that procurement systems often favour smaller projects that are technically ready for implementation, while larger community-prioritized projects remain stalled because of inadequate financing, delayed planning, and weak technical preparation.
The report also highlighted significant institutional weaknesses. Although most respondents were aware of County Development Steering Committees (CDSCs), nearly half lacked a clear understanding of their functions and mandates. Confusion between the roles of County Councils and CDSCs, weak coordination, irregular meetings, and limited public awareness continue to hinder effective local governance.
Presenting the findings, Consultant Benedict Kulobah emphasized that Liberia has made progress in establishing legal and institutional frameworks for decentralization but said implementation remains the greatest challenge.
“We have the laws, we have the policies, we have the structures,” Mr. Kulobah noted.
“The question is whether these commitments are being translated into real development outcomes for citizens.”
Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo stressed that the research was not intended to criticize government but to provide evidence-based recommendations that can strengthen governance and improve service delivery.
“We are not doing this to embarrass anyone,” Mr. Jarwolo said. “We are doing it because we want to know where we are, what is working, and what must be fixed to make decentralization successful.”
Representatives of Ireland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Local Government, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and civil society organizations all welcomed the findings and called for stronger implementation of decentralization reforms.
Among its key recommendations, the report urges the government to adopt a needs-based fiscal transfer model, operationalize local revenue-sharing mechanisms, strengthen procurement transparency, improve county financial management systems, and increase citizen participation in local governance processes.
The study concludes that Liberia’s decentralization project remains a critical pathway toward inclusive development, improved service delivery, and democratic participation.
However, without predictable financing, stronger institutional capacity, and sustained political commitment, the report warns that decentralization risks becoming an unfulfilled promise rather than a transformative reform.
For many county residents still waiting to see the benefits of local governance, the report serves as a stark reminder that the success of decentralization will ultimately be measured not by policies on paper, but by tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Liberians.
