MONROVIA – Following a high-level meeting with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the Executive Mansion on Monday, January 13, 2025, World Bank Vice President for Western and Southern Africa, Mr. Ousman Diagana, lauded Liberia’s strides toward democratization, political stability, and economic reform. Speaking briefly to correspondents after the meeting, Mr. Diagana emphasized the significance of the World Bank’s growing partnership with Liberia under President Boakai’s leadership.
“As you know, right after his election as President of Liberia, His Excellency came to Washington to meet with us. It was an honor to hear his vision and his project for Liberia,” Mr. Diagana remarked. “Our mission here today is to recognize the extraordinary progress Liberia is making to embrace stability, not only on the political front but also on the economic front. These efforts are creating better conditions for people to access services and for youth to gain access to jobs.”
The meeting emphasized the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development agenda, particularly through the newly launched ARREST Agenda—a roadmap set by the Boakai administration to address critical national priorities. According to Mr. Diagana, the discussions focused on aligning the World Bank’s support with Liberia’s strategic goals, including robust economic reforms and improved service delivery.
“The President has been very generous with his time, sharing the context in which he took over leadership and calling for urgent, robust support from partners, including the World Bank,” Mr. Diagana noted. “We are here to conclude principles for our mission and reaffirm our commitment to working closely with Liberia as it advances its development trajectory.”
A significant outcome of the meeting was the announcement of a new Country Partnership Framework tailored to Liberia’s evolving needs. Mr. Diagana highlighted that this framework would serve as a guiding document for collaboration, focusing on critical areas such as youth employment, infrastructure, and access to essential services.
“This visit is part of our mission to reimagine the way we prepare partnership frameworks,” Mr. Diagana explained. “Liberia is becoming a model for how we engage with countries committed to transformative development. It is both a productive and informative mission for our team.”
Joining Mr. Diagana on this visit were other senior World Bank officials, including Mr. H.P. Setafatofa, Vice President for UNICA, and the incoming Vice President for the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Their presence highlighted the World Bank’s intent to expand its engagement with Liberia across multiple fronts.
The delegation praised Liberia’s progress in fostering political and economic stability, particularly in a challenging global context. They reiterated the World Bank’s readiness to provide technical and financial support to bolster the Boakai administration’s vision for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“This mission reflects our shared commitment to Liberia’s progress,” Mr. Diagana said. “The country’s leadership and determination to prioritize reforms and democratization serve as an example in the region.”
The visit marks another step in deepening ties between Liberia and the World Bank. Both sides expressed optimism about the outcomes of the mission, setting the stage for continued collaboration aimed at addressing the country’s development challenges and creating new opportunities for its citizens.
