By By Alphanso G. Kalama;
Liberia’s draft national budget for FY 2025, announced by Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, reveals a bold roadmap for the country’s economic and infrastructural future. With a total projected revenue of $851.8 million, the budget reflects a significant 15.3% increase from the previous year, driven primarily by robust domestic tax collections. The focus is on propelling economic growth, with Liberia’s GDP forecasted to grow by 5.8% in 2025, bolstered by key sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing.
One of the standout features of the 2025 budget is the substantial increase in the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), which rises by 54% to $98 million. This funding will be dedicated to multi-sector development projects under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, a transformative national strategy to shape Liberia’s trajectory from 2025-2029. Key allocations include $52.9 million for road infrastructure, $7 million for agricultural value-chain programs, and $14 million for health and sanitation projects. These investments are designed not only to boost the economy but also to improve living standards across Liberia, making infrastructure development and public sector reforms central to the government’s strategy.
Moreover, the budget outlines comprehensive plans to address public sector wages, with $16 million allocated to improve salaries, including adjustments for teachers, health workers, and police officers. This wage reform is expected to uplift the morale of government employees and ensure fair compensation in line with the government’s broader goals of enhancing public service delivery.
