The Ministry of Health, National Health Workers Union, and Ecobank Liberia have signed an MoU under a tripartite agreement to process payroll, loan, and other services for health workers across the country through the bank.
By: Emmanuel Wise Jipoh
Monrovia, Liberia; August 4, 2025 – The Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Health Workers Union of Liberia (NAHWUL), and Ecobank Liberia Limited, have signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate opening of payroll accounts, issuance of loans, and other essential banking services for the Ministry’s employees.
The exercise aims to improve access to financial services and strengthen the welfare of the health workforce across the country.
The signing ceremony, which took place on Thursday, 31 July 2025, at the Ministry of Health, was witnessed by legal representatives and witnesses from all parties, including Cllr. Tomik L.J. Vobah, MoH General Counsel; Mr. James Beyan, MoH Human Resource Director; and senior officials of Ecobank Liberia.
The Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Martha C. Morris, said the MOU is a key milestone to improving services of healthcare workers.
“This is more than just a banking agreement; it is a partnership for progress,” said Mr. Morris, adding, “The well-being of our health workers directly affects the quality of care in our hospitals and clinics.”
“Today’s agreement ensures that our workforce has access to timely salary payment, affordable loans, and electronic banking services. I am grateful to Dr. Louise Mapleh Kpoto for ensuring that this initiative is achieved in the best interest of our health workers. I assure all the health workers across the country and Ecobank Liberia of the success of this agreement”, he continued.
The agreement establishes a partnership between the three parties that will streamline salary payments, promote responsible borrowing, and introduce modern digital banking tools to thousands of health workers across the country.
The President of NAHWUL, Mr. Francis Kerkula, who signed on behalf of the health Union, lauded the initiative as “a significant achievement for health workers,” noting that financial inclusion is a key part of the Union’s agenda to improve the livelihoods of its members.
“This agreement is the result of years of negotiation and persistent advocacy,” said Kerkula. “It will empower our members to plan their futures, own homes, and respond to personal emergencies with dignity and financial confidence,” he stressed.
According to the agreement, all payroll accounts of employees, including NAHWUL members, will be domiciled with Ecobank, eliminating delays in payment and allowing workers to access their salaries through direct deposits. It also stipulates that no initial deposit will be required to open these accounts.
As part of its responsibilities, Ecobank has agreed to offer full banking services, including electronic banking and ATM access, to qualified employees. A monthly maintenance fee of US$2.50 for USD Accounts and LD350 for Liberian Dollar Accounts will apply.
Importantly, Ecobank will also extend personal, vehicle, asset acquisition, and mortgage loans to eligible health workers who meet the bank’s credit standards. Each loan product includes a maximum repayment period of 36 months and requires an insurance policy naming Ecobank as the first loss payee. Loans above $5,000 will require additional collateral, such as legal mortgages or disaster insurance.
“This is the future of civil service in Liberia,” said Salamata Diallo, Ecobank Managing Director. “When we empower health workers, we empower the nation.”
The agreement will be subject to review after two years, and any party wishing to terminate it before then must provide a two-month advance notice.
For its part, the Ministry of Health has pledged to ensure all NAHWUL members with existing or new salary accounts at Ecobank are prioritized in the payroll process. The ministry will also serve as guarantor for workers with outstanding loans in the event of employment termination or retirement. It will promptly notify the bank of any such employment changes.
Meanwhile, under the terms, both MoH and NAHWUL will jointly identify a reputable insurance provider to cover all insured loan facilities.
“Ecobank has committed to applying a competitive interest rate of 11.5% per annum, alongside a 1.25% processing fee, 1.25% facility fee, and 0.35% legal fee as one-time charges for approved loans,” said Gibson K. Kollie, Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank, who represented the bank. Editing by Jonathan Browne
