By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
The World Bank Group (WBG) has concluded a consultative symposium on the ongoing development of its new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the government of Liberia for fiscal years 2025-2030 in Gbarnga, Bong County.
“With roughly five years remaining of Liberia rising 2030, we are committed to partnering with Liberia for accelerated results through a selective program aligned with the government ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID),” Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager revealed.
According to the World Bank Country Manager, the CPF will underpin World Bank Group’s efforts to foster impact at scale, working closely with the government of President Joseph Boakai, development partners, and stakeholders across the private sector and civil society.
The World Bank Country Manager emphasized the draft of Liberia Competition and Learning Reviews (CLR), an assessment done by the Country Partnership Framework for fiscal 2019-2024, and the CPF for 2025-2030.
She said key findings from the CLR included Liberia demonstrating remarkable resilience despite multiple challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising global oil and food prices, the economy rebuilding in 2021 with an average real GDP growth of 4.8 percent per year, with continued progress in key sectors such as energy and transport.
Significant progress was observed in macroeconomic stability, transparency, and accountability in public institutions, along with notable advancement in education and healthcare services.
Wallen said persistent challenges remain in tax revenue mobilisation, infrastructure development, and private sector growth.
In addition, limited government capacities in contract monitoring and weak contractor performance were persistent challenges, leading to project delays and inefficiencies.
Madam Wallen further revealed the draft CPF for FY 2025-2030, something she said proposes to focus on improving the quality of life of the Liberian people through inclusive service delivery and inclusive growth and jobs underpinned by accountable governance.
She said the program would aim to achieve five outcomes, which include reduced learning poverty, enhanced primary education to improve foundational literacy and numeracy, and targeting vulnerable groups. This includes better teacher training, expanding access to schools, and addressing factors causing dropout rates among girls.
Expanded Access to Energy: Increase electricity access through renewable energy projects, including hydropower and solar, to ensure reliable and affordable energy. Emphasis will be placed on private sector participation and institutional strengthening for sustainable energy development.
Productivity and Sustainable Agro-industry and Forestry: Develop agro-processing and sustainable commercial forestry to drive economic growth and create jobs, especially for women and youth.
The focus will also be on climate-smart agriculture, improved forestry governance, and value chain development.
Economy-wide Productivity and PCM Reform: Strengthen the business environment to boost productivity and private capital mobilization.
Support improvements in investment climate, trade efficiency, and access to finance, with a focus on public-private partnerships.
Accountable Governance: Modernize the public sector to improve transparency, fight corruption, and enhance service delivery, and this includes reforms in public investment, financial management, and land tenure to support resilient governance.
Remarking at the ceremony, Bong County Administrative Officer Sam B. Elliott lauded the World Bank Country Manager for organizing the Partnership Framework stakeholders’ consultative forum in the County.
He told the World Bank and its partners that the Government of Liberia looks forward to their valuable contributions and insights during the outcome of the consultations to ensure that collaborative efforts effectively support Liberia’s development goals.
Participants of the World Bank Country Partnership Framework stakeholders’ consultative forum were drawn from the Ministry of Education, Agriculture, the student community, and civil society organizations, among others.
