MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency dedicated to reducing global poverty through economic growth, has declared Liberia eligible to develop a new compact. This announcement, made by the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, recognizes Liberia’s significant progress in implementing key economic and democratic governance reforms aimed at fostering sustainable development and stability.
In a statement issued on December 19, 2024, the U.S. Embassy lauded Liberia’s efforts to strengthen governance and promote reforms. However, it cautioned that eligibility does not guarantee Liberia will receive a compact program. The final approval will depend on several factors, including the outcomes of analytical work conducted collaboratively by MCC and the Liberian government, fund availability, and the MCC Board of Directors’ assessment of the proposed program.
The selection follows Liberia’s improved performance on the MCC scorecard, a rigorous assessment tool that evaluates countries based on good governance, anti-corruption measures, and respect for democratic rights. This progress underscores the country’s commitment to meeting international standards and addressing longstanding governance and economic challenges.
Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of MCC, expressed optimism about the renewed partnership with Liberia. “MCC is proud of our longstanding history with Liberia and is enthusiastic about embarking on a new partnership to advance opportunities for the people of Liberia,” Albright stated. Her remarks reflect MCC’s confidence in Liberia’s ability to leverage this opportunity for meaningful development.
The announcement came during the MCC Board of Directors’ quarterly meeting on December 18, 2024, where the eligibility of several countries was reviewed. Liberia’s selection was accompanied by decisions on other nations, with Cabo Verde and Senegal reselected for continued development of regional compacts, while The Gambia was authorized to proceed with a compact program. The Philippines also received approval to advance its threshold program.
Despite the positive news, the Board expressed concerns about political developments in Tanzania, including reports of disappearances, political violence, and restrictions on freedoms. While urging the Tanzanian government to improve its democratic rights protections, the Board allowed its threshold program to continue. A decision on Togo’s re-selection was deferred to provide the government more time to address concerns about democratic freedoms.
Developments in Mozambique also drew the Board’s attention, particularly regarding the October 2024 elections and subsequent post-election violence. The MCC pledged to closely monitor the situation, highlighting its commitment to ensuring that partner countries uphold democratic principles and human rights.
Since its establishment in 2004, the MCC has paired investments in infrastructure with institutional and policy reforms to support countries demonstrating strong governance. Over the years, it has provided over $4.1 billion in funding for 15 programs globally, benefiting nearly 80 million people. Liberia previously benefited from an MCC compact and now stands to gain further opportunities to strengthen its economic foundation and governance structures.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Gabriel Nah expressed his delight over Liberia’s selection. In an interview with Smart News Liberia on Thursday, December 19, Cllr. Nah stated that Liberia’s selection marks renewed international confidence in its governance and reform agenda. He emphasized that, “As Liberia begins the compact development process, its leaders must maintain the momentum of governance reforms while ensuring transparency and accountability to secure the trust of both citizens and international partners,” he concluded.
