BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – The Unity Party-led government has launched an ambitious $8.38 billion initiative, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), aimed at transforming Liberia’s struggling infrastructure, addressing high unemployment, and fostering poverty reduction. The plan, unveiled on January 15, 2025, highlights the government’s commitment to advancing the nation’s economic and social development, though it admits to being capable of financing only 30% of the required funds.

Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan emphasized the importance of partnerships with development agencies, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to raise the remaining 70% of funding. He outlined key measures to actualize the plan, including implementing a Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy, exploring climate-related funding, and prioritizing public expenditure in critical sectors.

The AAID’s goals include improving GDP by 37%, reducing maternal mortality, and lowering multidimensional poverty, with hopes of positioning Liberia as a lower-middle-income country by 2029. However, the success of the plan, which builds on lessons from past initiatives, hinges on collaboration, transparency, and effective execution.