Liberian Government Officials Head to Washington to Push for Road, School, and Economic Support

By Desmond Gbeleh Wion

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – A team of top Liberian government officials has left the country for the United States to take part in the 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The meetings will run from April 21 to April 26 in Washington, D.C., and bring together financial leaders, development experts, and policymakers from around the world.

The delegation is led by Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan. Other officials include Central Bank Governor Henry Saamoi, Public Works Minister Roland Giddings, Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah, and Deputy Finance Minister Dephue Zuo. Their main goal is to push Liberia’s development plans forward and gain more support from international partners.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando said the officials will attend key meetings to talk about Liberia’s major development needs. These include funding for roads, schools, and energy, as well as boosting the economy and making sure the country’s debt stays under control. Minister Sando also said the talks will help support President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST agenda, which aims to bring inclusive growth to all parts of the country.

“This is a very important time for Liberia,” Sando said. “We need to build on what we have achieved and deal with the big challenges ahead. These meetings will help us do that by working closely with our global partners.”

While in Washington, Minister Ngafuan is expected to meet with key figures such as World Bank Vice President Ousman Diagana, IMF Executive Director Ouattara Wautabouna, IMF Africa Director Abebe Selassie, officials from the U.S. State Department, the International Finance Corporation, and finance ministers from Brazil and Kuwait.

He will also chair a meeting of the African Development Bank’s board of governors and meet with leaders from the Kuwait Fund and Arab donors to raise money for paving the road from Gbarnga to Mendikorma.

According to the Ministry of Information, this trip is a big win for Liberia’s efforts to partner with other countries and financial institutions for long-term growth. The Ministry also said the government is serious about being transparent and accountable as it works to improve infrastructure across the country.

Liberian officials will also use the trip to ask for more low-interest loans and expert support for sectors like health, education, farming, and road building. In today’s changing global economy, the government says attending these meetings shows Liberia is committed to doing the right things—being open, improving services, and growing in a way that helps everyone.

The IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings are important global events where countries discuss how to manage risks, fix weak economies, and plan better together. For Liberia, being part of these talks is a step toward building strong ties with development partners and moving closer to national goals.