Representing Liberia, The Gambia, Ghana, Sudan, and Sierra Leone at the Bank, Darkortey also met with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Speaker of Parliament Jonathan Fonati Koffa, and several ministers and agency heads during his visit from 8-12 July. This mission marked Darkortey’s first official engagement with Liberia since President Boakai’s election and focused on aligning the Bank’s support with Liberia’s development priorities, such as fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.
President Boakai expressed his appreciation for the substantial support provided by the African Development Bank Group under Dr. Akinwumi Adesina’s leadership. He pledged to implement the necessary reforms to accelerate development in Liberia. Discussions primarily revolved around infrastructure development, SME-led private sector growth, strengthening domestic resource mobilisation, and enhancing agricultural productivity.
Darkortey underscored the Bank’s current portfolio in Liberia, noting that 56% of investments are directed towards the transport sector, 28% towards energy, and 8% towards agriculture. Noteworthy projects include the Fish Town-Harper highway and a cross-border high-voltage transmission line set to connect Liberia with Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
The Executive Director reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development under President Boakai’s leadership, who assumed office in January 2024. Discussions also touched on the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank initiative, with around $16 million approved in 2023 to support over 30,000 youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises in Liberia’s growing agribusiness and allied sectors.
During the Bank’s 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, in May, Dr. Adesina announced plans to mobilise between $3.5 billion and $5 billion for the Liberty corridor project, which involves constructing a world-class rail system linking Liberia’s deepwater Didia port to Guinea. This initiative aligns with President Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, a national development plan emphasising agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism to promote inclusive development.
The African Development Bank has long been a staunch supporter of Liberia and the Mano River Union, viewing it as a vital channel for developing the region’s agricultural potential, creating jobs to tackle youth unemployment, and addressing regional fragility.
