BudgIT-Liberia, a prominent civil society organization, has launched a campaign advocating for transparency, accountability, and a people-centered approach in the implementation of the country’s 2025 National Budget.
As a key stakeholder in Liberia’s fiscal space, the organization, however, acknowledged the government’s effort to publish the approved 2025 fiscal envelope, which stands at US$880 million, reflecting a critical opportunity to drive economic growth, strengthen social services, and uplift the lives of Liberians.
But the institution, in its release issued yesterday, disclosed that its success hinges on transparent implementation, fiscal discipline, and a commitment to real impact—not just figures on paper.
“At the heart of the budget is a US$745.69 million recurrent expenditure, marking a 10% increase from last year. Notably, 42.3% of this allocation goes to employee compensation, ensuring that no public sector worker earns below US$150 per month.
Furthermore, 28,200 workers will benefit from salary adjustments, and an additional US$2.6 million is earmarked to integrate volunteer workers into the payroll—a step toward strengthening Liberia’s workforce and reducing employment insecurity,” the release noted.
According to the release, the Public Sector Investment Plan (PSIP) receives US$134.31 million, prioritizing agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure—key pillars of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The release furthered that these investments are expected to spur job creation, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall quality of life, thus expressing deep concern about excessive spending on Public Administration and the Legislature, which diverts vital resources away from direct public benefits.
The BudgIT-Liberia release is quoted as saying, “The Public Administration budget has increased from US$256.7 million to US$266.6 million, while the Legislative budget has risen from US$53.4 million to US$57.9 million.”
“At a time when many Liberians struggle with economic hardships, every dollar must be accounted for and directed toward national development rather than administrative overhead.
Fiscal discipline must be prioritized to ensure that the government’s spending reflects the urgent needs of the people rather than bureaucratic excesses. Again, BudgIT welcomes the government efforts to enforce stronger financial controls and ethical governance across Ministries and Agencies,” the statement intoned.
BudgIT-Liberia asserted, “Transparency, efficiency, and accountability must be at the forefront of budget execution. Every dollar spent should translate into better services, improved livelihoods, and sustainable development for all Liberians.” “We therefore call on the government to prioritize the people over bureaucracy, minimize wasteful spending, and ensure that the 2025 National Budget delivers tangible benefits. This is not just about numbers—it’s about the future of Liberia,” the release added.
