MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, officially launched the Instant Inclusive Payment System (IIPS), describing it as a transformative milestone that places Liberia firmly on the path toward a modern, inclusive, and transparent digital economy. Speaking at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Oldest Congo Town under the auspices of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), the President said the system represents not only a technological breakthrough but a national commitment to ensure that progress reaches every Liberian.
Boakai framed the launch as a declaration of intent, stressing that Liberia is ready to embrace the future of digital finance while safeguarding inclusion and equity. He said the new payment system is designed to give citizens the ability to send and receive money instantly, securely, and affordably, regardless of where they live. According to him, dignity in transactions, transparency in public payments, and trust in the financial system are essential pillars of national development.
The President linked the IIPS directly to his administration’s ARREST Agenda, noting that digital payments are a powerful enabler across multiple sectors. He explained that in agriculture, farmers will no longer be forced to wait days or weeks for payments, allowing them to reinvest quickly in seeds, tools, and labor. In infrastructure, he said the system complements physical road construction by creating digital highways that connect communities financially.
On governance and accountability, Boakai emphasized that digitizing government payments strengthens the rule of law by reducing leakages, eliminating delays, and enhancing public trust. He noted that salaries, pensions, and social transfers delivered through IIPS will be faster and more transparent, reflecting a people-centered approach to governance that prioritizes efficiency and accountability.
Education, sanitation, and tourism were also highlighted as key beneficiaries of the new platform. The President said schools and students will face fewer barriers in paying fees and receiving support, while entrepreneurs in sanitation and tourism will benefit from faster payments that stimulate innovation and growth. He described the system as proof that technology, when properly applied, can serve as a catalyst for inclusive development.
Boakai was emphatic that financial inclusion must be treated as a right, not a privilege. He acknowledged that millions of Liberians have long been excluded from the formal financial system and forced to rely on cash, which he described as risky, costly, and inconvenient. With the launch of IIPS, he declared that no Liberian should be left behind due to distance, lack of access, or systemic barriers.
The President said the new system opens doors to opportunity across the economy, empowering market women to receive payments without fear of theft, enabling small businesses to transact in real time, and giving young people a platform to innovate and build new digital services. He described IIPS as a bridge from exclusion to empowerment, capable of reshaping how Liberians participate in economic life.
Beyond inclusion, Boakai noted that reducing reliance on cash and enabling real-time transactions will make Liberia more competitive in a global economy that rewards speed and efficiency. He said digital payments lower costs, increase transaction speed, and build trust, factors that attract investment and encourage entrepreneurship across sectors.
Unveiling the brand theme, “Crafting an Instant and Inclusive Liberia,” the President said the system belongs to the nation and serves everyone, regardless of income, age, or location. He praised the collaboration between the Central Bank of Liberia, financial institutions, mobile money operators, and development partners, crediting their collective effort for turning vision into reality.
Boakai concluded by urging all Liberians, individuals, businesses, and institutions to embrace, trust, and innovate on the new system. He described the launch of IIPS as only the first chapter in a broader digital transformation agenda and called for national ownership of the platform. As Liberia moves forward, he said, the Instant Inclusive Payment System must become a movement for inclusion, empowerment, and shared prosperity.
