MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on African nations to confront the continent’s mounting infrastructure challenges with urgency, innovation, and collaboration as Liberia on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, hosted the opening of the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA). Speaking at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, the President said Africa’s future depends heavily on the strength, safety, and sustainability of its road networks. He welcomed delegates from across the continent with what he described as “a meeting of dedicated minds committed to advancing Africa’s road infrastructure,” underscoring the significance of Liberia’s selection as host nation.
President Boakai told the gathering that ARMFA’s return to Liberia reflects the country’s strides toward sustainable infrastructure development under his administration. He said the presence of policymakers, road fund managers, and technical experts from various African states “reinforces our collective commitment to sustainable development and contributes to Liberia’s success story.” His remarks set the tone for a conference expected to drive coordination and reform in a continent where poor road networks have long constrained economic and social progress.
The President emphasized that road connectivity remains one of the most transformational catalysts for development in Africa. He noted that in many countries, roads determine access to basic services, economic opportunities, and regional trade. “Roads connect farmers to markets, children to schools, patients to healthcare, and businesses to opportunities,” President Boakai said, adding that such linkages are crucial to realizing Agenda 2063 and accelerating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
But while acknowledging progress, he also painted a sobering picture of the challenges ahead. He cited climate change, rapid population growth, and limited financing as factors straining Africa’s already fragile infrastructure systems. According to the President, failing to address these threats would have dire consequences. “When we leave potholes unrepaired or downplay the urgency of a collapsing bridge, we create barriers to the safety and advancement of our people,” he warned, urging African governments to prioritize maintenance as much as new construction.
President Boakai stressed that Liberia is working to reform its road governance framework through strengthened collaboration with the National Road Fund. He highlighted enhanced investments, policy reforms, and public-private partnerships as core elements of his administration’s infrastructure modernization strategy. He reaffirmed that road connectivity remains a central pillar of his ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes an efficient, climate-resilient transportation network designed to support national growth.
The President reasserted Liberia’s strong support for the African Union’s Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), emphasizing that regional initiatives can only succeed with coordinated action among member states. He said Liberia stands ready to help advance AfCFTA through improved road linkages, calling infrastructure a shared responsibility that no country can tackle alone.
Addressing delegates more directly, President Boakai encouraged member states to ensure that ARMFA’s annual meeting becomes a venue for action-oriented outcomes rather than routine discussions. “Let this be a forum for practical solutions where we reflect on what has worked, what hasn’t, and how we can boldly shape the future of Africa’s roads,” he urged. He appealed for bold thinking, urging experts to explore digital innovations and climate-resilient technologies that can transform Africa’s road maintenance systems.
The Liberian leader noted that decisions taken at this year’s meeting would shape Africa’s development trajectory for decades. He appealed to policymakers to adopt a mix of pragmatism and ambition, with a focus on long-term sustainability, safety, and connectivity. “Decisions made today will determine the continent’s development trajectory for generations,” he said, calling for a coordinated push toward roads that meet the needs of Africa’s growing population.
President Boakai also expressed gratitude to ARMFA for selecting Liberia as host and assured participants that they would experience the warmth and hospitality of the Liberian people. He highlighted the country’s culture, cuisine, and history as part of the nation’s welcome to delegates who had traveled from across the continent.
He ended his address by urging delegates to produce actionable recommendations that will meaningfully contribute to Africa’s infrastructure transformation. The President said he remains optimistic that collaboration among African states, development partners, and the private sector could significantly strengthen the continent’s infrastructure future if backed by strong political will and sustained investment.
ARMFA, a continental platform of road maintenance funds, continues to serve as a catalyst for capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and financial coordination across Africa. Through its annual meetings, the association aims to advance sustainable road systems capable of supporting inclusive development throughout the continent.
