By Amos Harris
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, a crowd of Liberian officials, Chinese diplomats, and local citizens watched as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai broke ground on two new overpasses in Monrovia. The project, valued at US$41 million and fully funded by the People’s Republic of China, promises to ease the city’s infamous traffic at the ELWA Junction and SKD Boulevard intersections.
For many, this initiative represents a long-awaited solution to daily gridlock. However, for others, it raises difficult questions about Liberia’s increasing reliance on Chinese aid, the lack of transparency in such deals, and the potential impact on the nation’s sovereignty and long-term development.
The Promises of Progress
Speaking at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, President Boakai hailed the project as a major step forward, stating, “These are more than concrete and steel; they are practical solutions to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and prevent the economic losses our people face every day due to traffic delays.”
The overpasses will be constructed by the Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group of China and are expected to be completed in 24 months. According to Public Works Minister Roland Giddings, the project will span 2.1 kilometers and create between 300 and 400 jobs for Liberians.
Chinese Ambassador Lin Chengwu framed the initiative as a testament to Beijing’s “steadfast friendship” with Monrovia, a promise made during the China-Africa Summit earlier in the year.
While the groundbreaking ceremony was filled with optimism, the project invites deeper reflection on China’s expanding role in Liberia. Over the past two decades, China has funded some of Liberia’s most prominent landmarks, including the University of Liberia Fendall Campus, the Ministerial Complex, and renovations to the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex. These projects have been widely celebrated, but they are also part of China’s broader geopolitical strategy in Africa—one that seeks to expand its influence and economic reach without the political conditions often attached to Western aid.
The overpasses project is a turnkey operation, meaning China provides the funding, design, and contractors. This model often excludes Liberian firms and limits local economic benefits. Critics argue that while the project may create jobs, most high-paying positions and major contracts will go to the Chinese firm, raising doubts about how much Liberia will truly benefit.
Government officials insist the project will not add to Liberia’s debt. However, some experts caution that not all “aid” is truly free. Grants can be tied to political loyalty, trade concessions, or other long-term commitments. This raises the question of whether Liberia will eventually “pay” for these bridges in political currency, such as aligning with China’s voting patterns at the United Nations or offering future resource deals.
Another major concern is the sustainability of these projects. Liberia has a history of failing to maintain donor-funded infrastructure, with buildings and roads falling into disrepair shortly after completion. Who will finance and manage the long-term upkeep of these overpasses? Without a clear maintenance plan, today’s solution could easily become tomorrow’s liability.
Past Chinese projects have also been criticized for employing limited local labor, with Chinese workers often filling technical and managerial roles. This leads to skepticism among Liberians who question whether the promised jobs are temporary stopgaps or if they will genuinely build the capacity of the local workforce. A vendor displaced by the construction voiced his frustration: “They broke down our shop last year for this project. They say we will get money, but up to now, nothing has come. Who will feed my family for two years?”
Liberia’s reliance on foreign partners is not new. The country has long depended on external assistance for major infrastructure projects. However, China’s approach is distinct—its projects are highly visible, symbolic, and delivered quickly. While Western aid often comes with bureaucratic conditions, China delivers tangible results. The risk, however, is that Liberia may be perpetuating a cycle of dependency by outsourcing its most critical infrastructure to foreign hands.
For the overpasses to truly align with President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), Liberia must address these hard truths. This requires:
Non-negotiable Transparency: All contracts, funding terms, and compensation schemes must be made public.
Capacity Building: Projects must transfer skills to Liberian engineers and contractors, not just offer temporary labor.
Long-term Maintenance: A clear budget and plan for upkeep are essential.
Balanced Foreign Policy: Engagement with China should not compromise Liberia’s independence.
The groundbreaking of the US$41 million overpasses marks a visible step toward modernizing Monrovia. The bridges will likely reduce traffic and improve safety. However, the true test lies in whether they will symbolize empowerment or dependency. As Liberia applauds this new development, the nation must also demand accountability, ensuring that today’s infrastructure projects pave the way for a more self-reliant and prosperous future.
