The Liberian government is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a team from the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) on September 22, 2025. This visit holds significant weight as it will assess Liberia’s preparedness for a second MCC Compact, a crucial development aid agreement. Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, announced the impending visit, highlighting its connection to the MCC’s December 2025 board meeting where Liberia’s eligibility for the compact will be formally reviewed. The visit signifies a renewed momentum in Liberia’s pursuit of the compact, following a period of uncertainty caused by the U.S. political transition and subsequent shifts in the new administration’s aid priorities.
Liberia initially secured eligibility for a second MCC Compact in December 2024, and a technical team visited in January 2025 to initiate preliminary work, including the crucial Constraints Analysis. This analysis focuses on identifying the primary obstacles hindering economic growth and development within the country. However, the process was temporarily suspended due to the change in U.S. administration and adjustments to its foreign aid framework. Despite this pause, Minister Ngafuan emphasized that Liberia’s eligibility remains under active consideration, bolstered by recent constructive engagements with key U.S. stakeholders, signifying a renewed interest in Liberia’s development potential.
The Minister underscored Liberia’s proactive efforts to secure the second compact, including productive discussions held in Washington D.C. with the new MCC leadership and the U.S. State Department. These discussions took place during the US-Africa Summit hosted by then-President Trump, providing a valuable platform to advocate for Liberia’s development priorities. Furthermore, the Liberian government, with support from the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, has been actively working to reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility for the compact. The combined efforts of these engagements and the upcoming MCC team’s assessment are expected to build a strong case for Liberia’s continued eligibility, paving the way for renewed development partnership.
The MCC delegation, comprising economists and other officials, is scheduled to spend over a week in Liberia, engaging in extensive consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders. This comprehensive approach will involve meetings with representatives from the government, private sector, civil society organizations, and the media, ensuring a broad perspective on the country’s development needs and challenges. The team’s primary objective is to conduct a thorough Constraints Analysis, identifying the key impediments to sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Liberia. This analysis will also help determine which sectors are most suitable for receiving MCC support, aligning with the corporation’s renewed focus on a mutually beneficial development approach.
The MCC, under the then-current U.S. administration, emphasized a “win-win” development strategy. This approach seeks to support sectors that not only stimulate economic growth in recipient countries like Liberia but also create opportunities for U.S. investment. This mutually beneficial approach aims to foster sustainable development while promoting economic ties between the two nations. This aligns with the broader U.S. foreign policy objective of promoting private sector-led growth and development in partner countries.
The Minister further highlighted the positive impact of recent interactions between then-President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and then-President Donald Trump at the US-Africa Summit. These high-level engagements drew favorable attention to Liberia, creating momentum that the government is actively leveraging to advance the country’s development agenda and secure the much-needed support for its people through the second MCC Compact. The anticipated outcome of the MCC team’s visit, coupled with the ongoing diplomatic efforts, is expected to solidify Liberia’s position for continued eligibility and pave the way for a renewed development partnership focused on sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
