The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), through its ECOWAS National Office (ENO), has announced the development of a new Human Capital Development Strategy (HCDS) for Liberia, in line with directives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The initiative follows ECOWAS’ adoption of a Regional Integrated Human Capital Development Strategy (HCDS 2030) during the 59th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government. The regional framework seeks to position ECOWAS as a top-performing regional economic community in human capital development by the year 2030.
Liberia’s need for a national strategy is underscored by sobering statistics. According to the Capacity Assessment (2020) that informed the regional strategy, Liberia’s Human Capital Index (HCI) stands at 0.32, falling below both the regional average of 0.38 and the sub-Saharan Africa average of 0.40. On the basis of performance and competitiveness, Liberia is categorized among states “lagging in competitiveness due to limited human capital development performance,” alongside Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau.
In response, ECOWAS has provided a grant of US$75,000 to Liberia, channeled through the MFDP’s ECOWAS National Office, to fund the design and rollout of a comprehensive national human capital development strategy.
The forthcoming strategy will prioritize key areas identified by ECOWAS, including Health and Nutrition, Education, Skills and Labor Participation, Entrepreneurship, Financial Inclusion, and Digital Payments. These areas are seen as critical to boosting productivity, creating wealth, and establishing the approaches needed to accelerate Liberia’s development process.
As part of the process, the Ministry will host a two-day workshop from September 4–6, 2025 with 50 key informants, including policymakers, sector leaders, practitioners, and analysts. The workshop will review Liberia’s foundational HCD content and national development frameworks, including the AAID National Development Plan. Participants will co-create priority strategies and acceleration plans across education, health, workforce development, and governance, while developing concrete action plans, ownership matrices, and next-step commitments.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, an MFDP official emphasized: “By focusing on these key areas, we aim to create a dynamic and thriving society where citizens feel empowered to reach their full potential. This will not only benefit the people of Liberia but will also contribute to the overall growth and success of our society.”
Following the workshop, the Ministry plans to hold a pre-validation session with senior management to review the findings and recommendations. This will be followed by an official launch, publication, and public awareness campaign for Liberia’s Human Capital Development Strategy.
The Ministry also pledged that the strategy will not be a one-off event but rather an evolving framework. “The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, through the ECOWAS National Office, is committed to regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the country’s human capital development strategy and making necessary adjustments to ensure its continued success,” the release added.
In conclusion, the Ministry stressed that the success of Liberia’s future depends on investing in its people. “A strong focus on human capital development is essential for effectively and efficiently navigating regional, continental, and global complexities, and for achieving Liberia’s long-term goal of inclusive growth and development,” the statement said.
