The Government of Liberia embarked on a new chapter in its development journey with the official launch of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the County Development Agendas (CDAs) on January 15, 2025, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County. This comprehensive national development policy, crafted through extensive consultations with stakeholders across all 15 counties in 2024, represents a significant stride towards prioritizing the welfare of Liberians and charting a course for sustainable and inclusive growth over the next five years. The AAID, with its projected cost of US$8.4 billion, will serve as the guiding framework for all budgetary appropriations during its implementation period from 2025 to 2029.
The AAID is structured around six key pillars, each addressing critical and essential areas crucial for Liberia’s progress. These pillars encompass agribusiness, roads and infrastructure, rule of law and governance, education and human capital, sanitation, and tourism. This strategic focus reflects the government’s commitment to fostering economic diversification, improving connectivity and accessibility, strengthening governance structures, investing in human capital, enhancing public health, and promoting sustainable tourism. The agenda is not simply a top-down policy directive; it is deeply rooted in the aspirations, needs, and challenges identified by the Liberian people themselves, ensuring its relevance and responsiveness to the realities on the ground.
The launch event in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, leaders from all 15 counties, representatives from the World Bank, and other national development partners. This high-level representation underscored the importance and broad-based support for the AAID. A significant aspect of the launch involved the presentation of the County Development Agendas (CDAs) by the respective county heads. These CDAs represent localized versions of the AAID, tailored to the specific context and priorities of each county, ensuring that development efforts are contextually appropriate and effectively address local needs.
The AAID signifies a paradigm shift in Liberia’s development approach, emphasizing inclusivity, collaboration, and collective action. It moves beyond a centralized planning model to embrace a more participatory and decentralized approach, empowering local communities to take ownership of their development trajectories. The CDAs play a vital role in this process, allowing for greater alignment between national priorities and local realities, and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for achieving the envisioned progress. The involvement of development partners, such as the World Bank, also highlights the collaborative nature of the AAID implementation, leveraging external expertise and resources to enhance its effectiveness.
President Boakai’s keynote address at the launch ceremony served to underscore the importance of national unity, collaboration, and collective action in the successful implementation of the ARREST Agenda. His emphasis on these core principles reflects the understanding that sustainable development requires a concerted effort from all segments of society. The AAID is not merely a government initiative; it is a national endeavor, requiring the active participation of citizens, local communities, civil society organizations, and development partners to achieve its ambitious goals.
The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development represents a significant milestone in Liberia’s pursuit of sustainable and equitable development. Its comprehensive framework, focusing on six crucial pillars, provides a roadmap for addressing the nation’s multifaceted challenges and harnessing its vast potential. The integration of County Development Agendas ensures that development efforts are locally relevant and responsive to the specific needs of each region. The emphasis on national unity, collaboration, and collective action reflects the understanding that progress requires a concerted and inclusive approach. With the AAID now officially launched, Liberia embarks on a journey of transformation, driven by the aspirations of its people and guided by a shared vision of a prosperous and inclusive future. The US$8.4 billion investment represents a significant commitment to this transformative agenda, and the government’s pledge to align budgetary appropriations with the AAID underscores its determination to translate this vision into tangible outcomes.
