MONROVIA — On the eve of a crucial meeting of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board, Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan expressed strong confidence that the country is poised for reaffirmation of its eligibility for a second MCC Compact. Addressing journalists on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance, the Minister said Liberia’s performance, preparation, and diplomatic engagement place it in a favorable position despite major policy shifts under the new U.S. administration.
Minister Ngafuan recalled that Liberia was initially approved for a second compact under former U.S. President Joe Biden. However, that approval was halted and placed under review following President Donald Trump’s election, prompting the MCC Board and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reassess all pending commitments. The Minister described this shift as a moment of recalibration in Washington that forced countries, including Liberia, to “re-sit the entrance exam” to justify continued eligibility.
The Minister was quick to note that Liberia has not remained idle during this transition period. He outlined the government’s strong institutional steps, including the establishment of a dedicated MCC office at the Ministry of Finance staffed with a national coordinator and specialized personnel working exclusively on compact-related matters. According to him, these actions demonstrate Liberia’s seriousness and readiness to meet MCC standards and expectations.
Ngafuan pointed to the intensive technical and diplomatic engagements that have continued since last year, including multiple rounds of discussions with MCC officials both in Monrovia and in Washington. He highlighted the recent visit of an MCC mission led by Ms. Carrie Moynihan, who spent two weeks meeting sector leaders and reviewing Liberia’s priority areas. The mission, he noted, conducted a detailed assessment of governance, infrastructure, energy, and economic reforms.
Liberia’s strong performance on the 2025 MCC scorecard remains the government’s central source of confidence. Minister Ngafuan emphasized that Liberia passed 12 out of the 22 indicators, exceeding the threshold of 11, and importantly met the two “hard hurdles” control of corruption and political rights and civil liberties. He underscored that these particular metrics are critical because failure in either results in an automatic scorecard failure regardless of other sector performances.
At a time when more than 16 countries have reportedly been dropped from consideration for compacts or re-compacts under the Trump administration’s stricter standards, Liberia’s continued presence on the eligibility list is significant. The Minister said this achievement speaks to Liberia’s governance commitments and resilience despite global uncertainty in foreign assistance policies. “Your country is still in,” he remarked. “That alone is a strong signal.”
The Minister further stated that if Liberia is reaffirmed on Wednesday, the next steps would involve project scoping, identifying priority sectors, and beginning the compact design process. These activities, according to him, may take several months as they require coordination between the government, MCC teams, and development partners. Liberia’s proposed focus areas are expected to align with the MCC’s Constraints to Growth Analysis.
Ngafuan reaffirmed that the government’s priorities remain energy generation and distribution, rural road development, improved business climate reforms, access to finance, and strengthening education and governance systems. He argued that these sectors are critical for unlocking economic growth, supporting private sector expansion, and creating sustainable jobs. “Energy and infrastructure are catalysts,” he said. “They drive everything else.”
He also noted that the 2025 national budget has been structured to reflect and support these strategic objectives, ensuring that Liberia aligns its domestic financing priorities with expected MCC investments. Ngafuan stressed that reaffirmation would provide Liberia with a unique opportunity to accelerate key development goals at a time when international financing is becoming increasingly competitive.
While expressing confidence, the Minister acknowledged that the final decision rests with the MCC Board. “The President is confident. We are confident. But we respect the Board’s judgment,” he stated. “After tomorrow, we will know.” As Liberia awaits the announcement, the outcome could shape the country’s development trajectory for years to come, influencing infrastructure expansion, energy stability, and governance reforms central to national growth.
