Liberia Targets 70% Electricity Access under New MCC Compact Plan

The Liberian Government has set an ambitious target to expand electricity access to about 70–75 per cent of the population within the next four years, as part of efforts to drive economic growth and reduce poverty.

The Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, disclosed this during the official launch of the concept notes development process under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Government of Liberia compact.

Ngafuan described the country’s energy deficit as the most critical barrier to development, stressing that reliable and affordable electricity is essential for economic transformation.

“The biggest constraint or cost driver for most businesses is power. Without reliable and affordable energy, we can’t make progress,” he said.

According to him, the government has taken a strategic decision to prioritise energy infrastructure under the proposed MCC compact, noting that fixing electricity challenges would unlock growth across multiple sectors.

“Why did we choose energy? Because if we do not solve our energy problem, we will not make progress,” he added.

Liberia’s electricity access rate, one of the lowest in Africa, has improved to about 40 per cent in recent years. However, the government is now pushing for a significant increase to more than 70 per cent within a short timeframe.

Ngafuan acknowledged the pressure to deliver results, noting that public expectations remain high despite the relatively short time the current administration has been in office.

“This government is young, but the expectations are already at six-year levels,” he said.

He urged members of the technical working group responsible for developing project proposals to adopt a results-driven approach and avoid unnecessary delays.

“This is a 100-metre race. We have no space for walking,” the minister said, emphasising the urgency required to meet national development goals.

The technical working group, comprising representatives from government agencies, the private sector and civil society, is tasked with developing concept notes that will determine priority projects for funding under the MCC compact.

Ngafuan stressed that while some processes may take time, others must be accelerated to ensure timely implementation.

He also highlighted the direct link between electricity access and job creation, noting that improved power supply would enable businesses to expand and employ more people.

“If businesses get affordable power, they expand. When they expand, they employ,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Samuel A. Stevequoh, described electricity as a key driver of productivity and economic development.

He said the MCC compact provides Liberia with an opportunity to translate policy ideas into tangible infrastructure projects that can transform livelihoods.

“The compact is more than funding. It is about partnership, discipline, and results,” he said.

Stevequoh emphasised the need for well-developed project proposals, backed by reliable data and realistic assumptions, noting that only viable projects would secure funding.

He also called for collaboration among stakeholders, including government institutions, private sector players and development partners, to ensure successful implementation.

“In our proverb, it is said that one hand cannot tie a bundle,” he said, urging unity and transparency throughout the process.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of Liberia’s Compact Development Team, Alieu Fuad Nyei, described the concept notes phase as a critical step in translating national priorities into bankable projects.

He noted that the proposals developed at this stage would determine which projects proceed to feasibility studies and eventual implementation.

“The quality of the concept notes will determine our development trajectory,” Nyei said.

Industry observers say Liberia’s renewed focus on expanding electricity access reflects a broader shift in development strategy, placing energy at the centre of economic growth.

They noted that improved electricity supply could reduce business costs, stimulate industrial activity and enhance living standards across the country.

Liberia’s first MCC compact focused on improving access to electricity, including the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee hydropower plant.

With the development of a second compact now underway, stakeholders say the country has an opportunity to build on previous gains and accelerate progress in the energy sector.