President Joseph Boakai has announced that Liberia has qualified for a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact grant for the first time since 2015, opening the door to up to $500 million in U.S. aid.
The President, officially lighting the National Christmas Tree, disclosed that he received a call from Washington, D.C., confirming Liberia’s eligibility after passing the MCC Scorecard for 2024.
The country met key governance benchmarks, including rule of law, trade policy, and fiscal management, surpassing the requirement to pass at least 10 out of 20 performance indicators.
The MCC compact is one of the most coveted development grants, awarded only to countries that demonstrate strong governance, anti-corruption measures, and respect for the rule of law.
Liberia’s qualification marks a significant turnaround under Boakai’s administration and signals renewed confidence from the U.S. government.
The compact grant Will provide a major financial boost to Liberia’s economy and development efforts and help execute the National Development Plan of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID)
It can be recalled that Liberia passed 11 out of 20 indicators in the Millennium Challenge Corporation scorecard for 2025 Financial Year.
Liberia’s MCC 2025 Scorecard reveals a mixed performance.
While Liberia showcased successes in Land Rights, Employment Opportunities, Political Rights, Civil Liberties, Control of Corruption, Rule of Law, and Freedom of Information, these accomplishments were counterbalanced by shortcomings in Fiscal Policy, Inflation, Trade Policy, Government Effectiveness, Health Expenditures, and Natural Resource Protection, Girls’ Pri Edu Completion Rate, and Rule of Law.
The control of corruption indicator witnessed a 2% decline, meeting MCC’s standards but falling from last year’s score.
The overall score dropped to 76%, compared to 79% in the previous year.
Despite consistently passing the controlling corruption indicator, Liberia, under President Joseph Boakai, faces challenges in implementing anti-corruption measures effectively.
Almost a year into his six-year tenure, Boakai’s anti-corruption fight rests on a tripod due to what appears to be the politicization of the anti-corruption fight and refusal to investigate accusations that some of his “loyal allies” have cast doubt on the fight.
The MCC, established in 2004 by the U.S. Congress, aims to collaborate with the world’s poorest nations committed to democratic governance and economic freedom.
The mandatory Control of Corruption indicator is one of the 20 indicators monitored by the MCC, out of which countries are required to pass at least 10, in order to qualify for the MCC Compact, a five-year hefty grant from the United States Government.
MCC has also invested more than US$14 Billion in compact and threshold programs worldwide that support country-led projects in areas as stated above since its commencement.
