National Development Plan 2025 - 2029 - ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID)

1. INTRODUCTION 8 1.1. DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES AT A GLANCE  10 1.2. STRATEGIC REORIENTATION  11 1.2.1. Transformative Thinking and Bold Actions  11 1.2.2. Re-Inventing Liberia’s Development Philosophy  11 1.2.3. Re-Inventing the Governance Framework  11 1.2.4. Private Sector Driven Development  12 1.2.5. Sustainable Transformative Environment  12

2. COUNTRY PROFILE AND GROWTH POTENTIAL 13

3. MACRO ASSUMPTIONS 17 3.1. MACRO GOALS  18 3.2. GLOBAL ECONOMIC CONTEXT  19 3.3. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT  22 3.4. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT  23 3.4.1. Social Context  23 3.4.2. Economic Context  26 3.5. MACROECONOMIC FRAMEWORK 2025-2029  30

4.  THEORY OF CHANGE  35 4.1. DRIVING THE CHANGE  36 4.2. ORGANIZATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING  37 4.3. PRIORITIZATION OF INTERVENTIONS  39

5. AAID STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 41 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 5.1. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK  42 5.1.1. Lessons Learned from Previous Development Plans  43 5.1.2. Plan Formulation Process  46 5.2. AAID PRINCIPLES, STRUCTURE AND STAKEHOLDERS  46 5.2.1. AAID Guiding Principles  46 5.2.2. AAID Structure  47 5.2.3. AAID Key Stakeholders  49 5.3. ALIGNMENT TO GLOBAL, CONTINENTAL AND REGIONAL COMMITMENTS 50

6. DEVELOPMENT PILLARS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS 53 6.1. PILLAR 1: ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION  54 6.1.1. Strategic Policy 1: Economic Stability and Growth  58 6.1.2. Strategic Policy 2: Labor and Employment  64 6.1.3. Strategic Policy 3: Commerce and Industry  68 6.1.4. Strategic Policy 4: Agriculture and Fisheries  73 6.1.5. Strategic Policy 5: Mineral Resource Management  78 6.1.6. Strategic Policy 6: Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy  82 6.2. PILLAR 2: INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT  86 6.2.1. Strategic Policy 7: Roads and Basic Infrastructure  89 6.2.2. Strategic Policy 8: Transport and Logistics  92 6.2.3. Strategic Policy 9: Water and Sewage  96 6.2.4. Strategic Policy 10: Energy  99 6.2.5. Strategic Policy 11: Communication Technologies and Digital Economy  103 6.2.6. Strategic Policy 12: Housing Development  108 6.3. PILLAR 3: RULE OF LAW  111 6.3.1. Strategic Policy 13: Justice and Human Rights  114 6.3.2. Strategic Policy 14: Public Safety and National Defense  118 6.4. PILLAR 4: GOVERNANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION  122 6.4.1. Strategic Policy 15: Transparency and Accountability  125 6.4.2. Strategic Policy 16: Public Administration  129 6.4.3. Strategic Policy 17: Foreign Affairs  135 6.5. PILLAR 5: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY  138 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 v ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.5.1. Strategic Policy 18: Climate Change  142 6.6. PILLAR 6: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT  148 6.6.1. Strategic Policy 19: Education  152 6.6.2. Strategic Policy 20: Health System  161 6.6.3. Strategic Policy 21: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene  167 6.6.4. Strategic Policy 22: Inclusive Social Development  170 6.6.5. Strategic Policy 23: Youth Development  177

7. FINANCING THE PLAN 182 7.1. REVENUE MOBILIZATION MEASURES  186 7.2. EXPENDITURE MEASURES  187 7.3. DEBT MANAGEMENT MEASURES  189

8. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS 190 8.1. GOVERNMENT AAID REPORTING STRUCTURE  192 8.2. NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE  192 8.3. NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE  192 8.4. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE  193 8.4.1. Technical Coordination Groups  193 8.4.2. Sub-National Coordination Groups  193 8.5. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ COORDINATION STRUCTURE  194 8.6. PRIVATE SECTOR AND CSO FORUMS  194 8.7. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY  194

9. MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK 195 9.1. OVERVIEW  196 9.2. LESSONS LEARNED FROM MONITORING AND EVALUATING PREVIOUS AAIDS 196 9.2.1. Challenges  196 9.2.2. Lesson Learned  196 9.2.3. Institutional Framework  196 9.2.4. Institutional Arrangements  197 9.2.5. Roles and Responsibilities  197 9.2.6. Institutional Strengthening  197 vi National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 9.3. M&E STRATEGY FOR THE AAID  197 9.3.1. Strategic Direction  197 9.3.2. Specific Interventions  198 9.4. M&E REPORTING AND COMMUNICATION  198 9.4.1. Reporting Framework  198 9.4.2. Communication Strategy  199 9.4.3. Feedback Mechanisms  199 9.5. AAID M&E FRAMEWORK  199 9.5.1. Development Indicators and Targets  199 9.5.2. Data Management and Analysis  199

10. RISK MITIGATION 200 ANNEX 1: MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK  203 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 vii ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figures Figure 1: Liberia’s geographic position  10 Figure 2: Topographic and political of Liberia  14 Figure 3: Agricultural Value Chain  15 Figure 4: Liberian agriculture trade fairs  16 Figure 5: World Economic Growth  19 Figure 6: World inflation  20 Figure 7: World Trade Performance  21 Figure 8: World population  22 Figure 9: Regional Economic Growth  22 Figure 10: Liberia’s population pyramid in 2022  25 Figure 11: Liberia’s economic growth  27 Figure 12: Sectorial share of GDP in Liberia 2022  28 Figure 13: Liberia’s fiscal balance  28 Figure 14: Liberia’s inflation rate trajectory  29 Figure 15: Trade balance  30 Figure 16: Liberia net FDI inflows  30 Figure 17: Liberia’s economic growth forecast  30 Figure 18: GDP structure  31 Figure 19: GDP sectorial growth  31 Figure 20: Liberia’s GDP and GDP per capita  32 Figure 21: Medium-term fiscal balance  33 Figure 22: Debt-to-GDP ratio  33 Figure 23: Liberia’s trade balance  33 Figure 24: Theory of Change scheme  36 Figure 25: AAID organizational and development planning scheme  37 Figure 26: Project prioritization scheme (examples)  40 Figure 27: Pathway to achieving Vison 2030  42 Figure 28: Steps in setting the AAID framework  45 Figure 29: County priorities set during consultations  45 Figure 30: AAID Structure  47 Figure 31: AAID Pillars and Strategic Goals  48 Figure 32: AAID alignment with international commitments  50 Figure 33: AAID-SDG-aligned interventions  51 Figure 34: Alignment of AAID Strategic Policies with AU Agenda 2063 goals  52 Figure 35: Potential private sector investment areas by sector and counties  56 viii National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figures Figure 36: Strategic Policy 1 goals by 2029  58 Figure 37: Strategic Policy 2 goals by 2029  64 Figure 38: Strategic Policy 3 goals by 2029  68 Figure 39: Strategic Policy 4 goals by 2029  73 Figure 40: Strategic Policy 5 goals by 2029  78 Figure 41: Strategic Policy 6 goals by 2029  82 Figure 42: Tourism development value chain  84 Figure 43: Strategic Policy 7 goals by 2029  89 Figure 44: Strategic Policy 8 goals by 2029  92 Figure 45: Strategic Policy 9 goals by 2029  96 Figure 46: Strategic Policy 10 goals by 2029  99 Figure 47: Strategic Policy 11 goals by 2029  103 Figure 48: Strategic Policy 12 goals by 2029  108 Figure 49: Strategic Policy 13 goals by 2029  114 Figure 50: Strategic Policy 14 goals by 2029  118 Figure 51: Strategic Policy 15 goals by 2029  125 Figure 52: Strategic Policy 16 goals by 2029  129 Figure 53: Strategic Policy 17 goals by 2029  135 Figure 54: Strategic Policy 18 goals by 2029  142 Figure 55: Strategic Policy 20 goals by 2029  152 Figure 56: Strategic Policy 20 goals by 2029  161 Figure 57: Strategic Policy 21 goals by 2029  167 Figure 58: Strategic Policy 22 goals by 2029  170 Figure 59: Strategic Policy 23 goals by 2029  177 Figure 60: AAID annual cost estimates  184 Figure 61: AAID cost estimates per pillar  184 Figure 62: AAID implementation structure  191 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ix ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Tables Table 1: AAID Macro Goals  18 Table 2: Population of Liberia by county, sex and residency  24 Table 3: Status of the labor market outcomes  66 Table 4: Key Manufacturing outputs (2021-2023)  70 Table 5: Mineral production in Liberia  79 Table 6: Selected infrastructure service access in Liberia  87 Table 7: Liberia: CPI Score (2012 - 2023)  126 Table 8: Multi-dimensional poverty  150 Table 9: Liberia – Key health indicators, 2000 – 2019/2020  162 Table 10 : Selected WASH Indicators  168 Table 11: Some key gender and empowerment of women indicators  171 Table 12: Total AAID annual cost estimates per strategic policy and programs  185 x National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AAID ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development ACE Africa Coast to Europe ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution Law AfCTA African Continental Free Trade Area AfDB African Development Bank AFL Armed Forces of Liberia AfT Agenda for Transformation ARREST Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation and Tourism ASMs Artisanal/Small-scale Miners ATMs Automated Teller Machines BTI Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index CBL Central Bank of Liberia CBOs Community Based Organizations CDAs County Development Agendas CDSC County Development Steering Committee CET Common External Tariff CO2 Carbon dioxide CO2e Carbon Dioxide Equivalent COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease CPD Continuous Professional Development CPI Corruption Perception Index CU Customs Union DCF Development Cooperation Framework DDSC District Development Steering Committee DHIS2 District Health Information System 2 DoD Drivers of Sustainable and Inclusive Development study DPoA Doha Program of Action DRC Democratic Republic of Congo DRMS Domestic Revenue Mobilization Strategy ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States ETLS ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme EVD Ebola Virus Disease FDI Foreign Direct Investment GDP Gross Domestic Product GGGI Global Gender Gap Index GHG Greenhouse Gas GHI Global Hunger Index GoL Government of Liberia GST Goods and Services Tax HCI Human Capital Index HDI Human Development Index HEIs Higher Education Institutions HFO High Fuel Oil HRW Human Rights Watch ICS Improved Cookstoves ICT Information and Communication Technology National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 xi ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID IIAG Ibrahim Index of African Governance ILO International Labor Organization IMF International Monetary Fund INFF Integrated National Financing Framework IUU Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing LBS Liberia Broadcasting System LCLR Liberia Code of Law Revised LDCs Least Developed Countries LDHS Liberia Demographic and Health Survey LEC Liberia Electricity Corporation LEEAP Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project LESSAP Liberia Electricity Secor Strengthening and Access Project LGA Local Government Act LIC Low-Income Country LISGIS Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services LITCOM Liberia technical and vocational education training commission LMIC Lower Middle-Income Country LNP Liberia National Police LPHC Liberia Population and Housing Census LWSC Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MACs Ministries, Agencies and Commissions MCHPP Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant (MCHPP) MDAs Mineral Development Agreements MDGs Millennium Development Goals MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreements MGD Million Gallons per Day MIC Middle-Income Country MOD Ministry of Defense MoE Ministry of Education MoPT Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications MRU Mano-River Union MSMEs Micro, Small & Medium Sized Enterprises MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework NaFAA National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority NAP National Adaptation Plan NASSCORP National Social Security and Welfare Corporation NBFI Non-Bank Financial Institution NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan NCC National Coordination Committee NDC Nationally Determined Contributions NDP National Development Plans NDSC National Development Steering Committee NEP National Energy Policy NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations NICOL National Insurance Company of Liberia NIR National Identification Registry NMEL National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning xii National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID NSC National Steering Committee ODA Official Development Assistance OGS Off-Grid Solar OIBCs Opportunity and Issues-Based Coalition PAPD Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development PAs Protected Areas PBB Program-Based Budgeting PFM Public Financial Management PHC Primary Health Care POS Point of Sales PPAs Proposed Protected Areas PPP Public Private Partnership PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy PSIPs Public Sector Investment Programs PWDs Persons with Disabilities RCCE Risk Communication and Community Engagement RESMAP Rural Energy Strategy and Master Plan RESPITE Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention SCORE Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SHS Solar Home Systems SMEs Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SNCGs Sub-National Coordination Groups SOE State Owned Enterprises SRGBV School-Related Gender-Based Violence SSA Sub-Saharan Africa STP Sewage Treatment Plant SUD Substance use disorder TC Technical Committee TLMs Teaching and Learning Materials ToC Theory of Change TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training UN United Nations UNCTA United Nations Chief Technical Advisor UNDP United Nations Development Program UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization US United States US$ United States Dollar USAID United States Agency for International Development VAT Value-added tax VNR Voluntary National Review WAEMU West African Economic and Monetary Union WB World Bank WEO World Economic Outlook WJP World Justice Project WTO World Trade Organization WTP Water Treatment Plant YDI Youth Development Index National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 xiii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) is Liberia’s fourth post-conflict medium-term National Development Plan (NDP) (2025- 2029), aimed at contributing to Liberia’s transition to a lower middle-income country. The AAID formulation, initiated in May 2024, involved extensive consultations across the 136 administrative districts, 15 counties, and 11 budget sectors, government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, private sector, Diaspora, the youth, and people with disabilities. Stakeholders’ inputs, together with findings from relevant reports were analyzed, consolidated, harmonized, and validated to finalize the current AAID, while It building on lessons learned and achievements from previous medium-term development plans notably, the Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). The AAID is strategically aligned with Liberia’s National Vision 2030 and several international, continental and regional development frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Africa Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the Doha Program of Action (DPoA). The AAID is built on a foundation of inclusiveness, sustainability, justice and equality, transparency and accountability. Such would assure peace and reconciliation buttressed by a people-centered development, encompassing local ownership, cause-consequence approaches and digital transformation. The AAID seeks to address interconnected challenges, including low literacy rates (59.9%) and high unemployment, which fuel societal instability. It encourages a mindset shift among Liberians to recognize their potential for national development, considering national contingencies as well as regional socio-economic dynamics. The AAID also calls for collaboration among all stakeholders, such as government, private sector, diaspora, and development partners, to revitalize the agribusiness sector, enhance infrastructure, and improve education and healthcare services as well as enhance inclusion and social cohesion of all citizens and residents. Moreover, the Plan seeks to diversify economic activities, reduce reliance on exports of unprocessed commodities through investments in sectors that support domestic manufacturing, and promote tourism and technology. The precondition for effectiveness in addressing these challenges is the development and effective utilization of skilled and productive human capital as well as institutional capacities. Getting the pre-requisite in place is an intended outcome of the AAID. MACRO ASSUMPTIONS Global and Regional Contexts Macroeconomic Framework (2025-2029) Several basic assumptions underlie the AAID’s intent, The medium-term macroeconomic framework for direction, goal setting, policy formulation, resource Liberia (2025-2029) endeavors to foster sustainable allocation, and implementation outcomes. Macro economic growth and improve citizens’ well-being assumptions are vital for Liberia’s development amid current global and national challenges. planning and are influenced by the global economic Key priorities include economic diversification, landscape, which focuses on such factors as trade infrastructure development, fiscal consolidation, dynamics, technological advancement, and financial and social protection, with strong emphasis on stability, all of which affect growth prospects. They strengthening governance and enhancing human are further influenced by established historical capital. The projected GDP growth is promising, legacy, political dispensation, and current socio- starting at 5.1 percent in 2024, reaching 5.8. percent economic challenges pertaining to the national level. by 2025, and averaging 5.9 percent through 2029. This The behavior and impact of these assumptions have trend is expected to be driven primarily by mining, shaped the current political economy of the country. agriculture, and manufacturing. The mining sector is 2 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID expected to peak at 9.2 percent growth due to new country’s ineffectiveness in programming, planning, investments, while agriculture is projected to average developing, and utilizing human capital with the 7.0 percent, significantly contributing to food security requisite tools to diversify and expand development and employment. The manufacturing and tourism outcomes. Introducing digital technologies to shift sectors are currently underperforming; however, with governance behavior, enabling the private sector to the synergies associated with the two, any stimulation drive local production to achieve socio-economic would substantially increase the projected GDP over progress goes a long way in addressing the human the planned period. capital deficit challenge. The strategic framework provides a structured The impact of these challenges has undermined approach for addressing the country’s developmental public trust and stymied investment, resulting challenges, guiding resource allocation, and in a narrow revenue base and persistent budget promoting sustainable economic growth. The deficits. In 2023, economic growth moderated to 4.6 macroeconomic framework supports coherent percent, with projections for 2024 at 5.1 percent due economic policy to enhance inclusive growth and to improvements in agriculture and fisheries. The stability, ultimately contributing to poverty reduction, services sector accounted for 37.5 percent of GDP, job creation, and improved living standards through a highlighting the need for diversification. Fiscal deficits structured approach to development. The framework have contributed to rising public debt, with a debt-to- provides a clear roadmap for achieving long-term GDP ratio of 55.7 percent in 2023. The monetary sector economic transformation, guiding policy formulation, struggles with inflation, which rose in 2023 to 10.1 resource mobilization and allocation, and promoting percent, in addition to effective management of a dual accountability. Operational effectiveness will be currency system. Externally, Liberia faces a growing driven by appropriate policies and programs that trade deficit, reliant on imports that strain foreign position the nation to leverage its natural resources, reserves. To foster sustainable growth, the country improve governance, and strengthen its infrastructure must improve governance, diversify its economy, and social systems. Additionally, it will ensure that enhance infrastructure, and attract both domestic climate change issues are mainstreamed, and that and foreign investments, while addressing structural economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. vulnerabilities. As the AAID targets interventions that would improve the livelihood of citizens especially Challenges for youth, women and the vulnerable population effective management of these areas will be crucial Despite these encouraging trends, Liberia faces for achieving inclusive and sustainable economic structural challenges due mainly to past conflicts, development. corruption, and mismanagement. Liberia continues to be listed among the poorest countries in the Growth and Development Potential world. The country faces high income inequality with 35.3 percent Gini Coefficient, high multidimensional Liberia has significant growth potential for poverty standing at 45 percent and limited structure socioeconomic transformation and sustainable transformation, all of which reflected in a stagnant development. Its young population offers an Human Development Index (HDI) of 177th out opportunity to harness the demographic dividend of 191 countries. Similarly, the overall progress through education and training of the youth, especially towards attainment of the desired outcomes for the in agriculture, technology and manufacturing. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is less than Government’s commitment to peace, stability and satisfactory. Only 20.3 percent of SDGs indicators are predictability creates a pre-cursor to a favorable on track. Liberia has a significant youthful population, investment climate. Furthermore, the country with nearly 75 percent under 35 and 41.5 percent possesses abundant natural resources such as iron under age 18, but most of whom are engaged in ore, gold and timber, as well as fertile soils for food low productive informal jobs. Additionally, Liberia’s and cash crops including cassava, rice, palm oil, rubber development agendas are challenged by the and cocoa, among others. Liberia’s strategic location National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 3 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID enhances trade through its seaports which facilitates drivers include agribusiness, infrastructure, rule of regional cooperation. Furthermore, the nation’s law, education, sanitation, and tourism, alongside cultural diversity presents excellent opportunities for filters (set of criteria that interventions must address) cultural and eco-tourism, generating jobs and income. such as child and youth focus and engagement, With strong international support and partnerships gender balance, employment, informal economy Liberia can set up the desired infrastructure, especially formalization, climate change, business environment, in transport, energy, and ICT to boost connectivity digitization, and peace and reconciliation. These and spur sustainable economic growth and elements foster inclusive growth and resilience, development. Liberia’s advantaged points include emphasizing interlinkages among sectors to achieve the following: (i) commitment to peace and stability; common goals. Ultimately, the AAID seeks to create a (ii) rich natural resources; (iii) strategic geographical sustainable framework for improving living standards location; (iv) demographic dividends from a rising and advancing socio-economic development in young population; (v) cultural heritage and diversity; Liberia thereby contributing to the nation’s transition (vi) strong international support and partnerships; to a lower-middle income status. (vii) potential for infrastructure development; (viii) Utilizing development drivers and filters ensures agricultural and resource-based value chains; and effective resource allocation and alignment of (ix) environmental resilience and sustainability. In interventions with strategic goals. A scoring system short, Liberia is endowed with immense growth is established to assign weights to these drivers and and developmental potential. Understanding and filters based on their importance. These weights benefiting from these advantageous positions is serve as criteria to facilitate evaluation of future crucial for ensuring the successful implementation project potential impacts ex-ante, making budgeting of the AAID strategies to promote sustainable sensitive to development outcomes. During and after and inclusive economic growth. To unlock these implementation, outcomes will be monitored against potentials, it is critical to take the necessary actions to initial commitments, refining prioritization for future ensure appropriate and expeditious responses to the planning cycles, and ultimately guiding efficient fundamentals that drive the theory of change resource allocation. THEORY OF CHANGE AAID STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK The Theory of Change (ToC) provides a structured The AAID strategic framework is vital for guiding approach on how specific interventions lead to resource allocation for Liberia’s national development, desired outcomes through a situational analysis and addressing key development challenges, and identification of critical change points. The ToC sets emphasizing peace, stability, and inclusive and strategic goals and objectives aligned with Vision sustainable growth. It aligns with Liberia Vision 2030, including necessary assumptions for change. 2030 and builds on achievements and incorporates The primary challenge for Liberia’s development is lessons learned from previous medium-term equipping human capital with the requisite tools and plans. The framework emphasizes inclusivity and introducing digital technologies to shift governance accountability, ensuring development efforts focus behavior, enabling the private sector to drive local on national priorities while leveraging global production to achieve socio-economic progress. opportunities. Further, framework is informed Development impact, focusing on long-term effects and guided by outcomes from consultations with of initiatives on communities and economies, is crucial diverse stakeholders that prioritize agribusiness, in planning, promoting accountability, stakeholder infrastructure, health, education, rule of law and engagement, and sustainable outcomes. sanitation, hence reflecting a strategic, evidence- based approach to development planning. The 2025-2029 AAID incorporates organizational and development planning layers to enhance The AAID endeavors to contribute to Liberia’s management and strategic thinking. Key development transition from low-income to a lower middle-income 4 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID country, aligning with Liberia Vision 2030, which and wealth creation, innovations, export growth, and seeks a vibrant economy with over half the workforce import substitution industrialization. Five Strategic in the formal sector and per capita income exceeding Policies have been identified and corresponding US$1,000. It addresses key development challenges programs and interventions are set to contribute to and emphasizes peace, stability, and inclusive growth. reaching the expected outcomes of GDP per capita It also endeavors to strengthen collaboration with of US$1,050.3, average real GDP growth rate of 5.9 key stakeholders, including the public sector for percent, manufacturing GDP growth rate of 5.9 governance and infrastructure, the private sector for percent, improvement by 4 positions in the Global economic growth and innovation, civil society for Competitiveness Index, production of 630,000 metric accountability and inclusiveness, traditional leaders tons of food and cash crops, and a mining GDP growth for community engagement, development partners rate of 8.1 percent. for resources and technical support, Diaspora communities for investment and advocacy, and Infrastructural Development Pillar: This centers academia for research and policy innovation. This on initiatives and programs in transport (sea, air, rail, collaboration is fundamental to achieve sustainable and land), energy, electricity, and ICT infrastructure development and economic transformation. as well as housing. Six Strategic Policies have been identified, and corresponding programs and The Plan is aligned with international commitments interventions are set to contribute to reaching the such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), expected outcomes of reduction in travel time by Africa’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the 60 percent, asphalt pavement of at least 485 km of Doha Program of Action (DPoA) for Least Developed primary roads as well as reduction in transportation Countries (LDCs) 2022-2031. It aligns 83 percent with costs by 30 percent. the SDGs, features 52 programs and 375 interventions. Primarily, 45 interventions of the AAID are aligned Rule of Law Pillar: This concentrates on establishing with SDG 8 (decent jobs and social protection), and strengthening transparent, accountable, and 43 interventions are aligned with SDG 4 (quality effective legal frameworks that promote justice, education) and 39 interventions are aligned with SDG protect human rights, and enhance public trust 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). Of the six in legal institutions. Two strategic policies have SDG transitions, education, digital connectivity, jobs been identified, and corresponding programs and and social protection provide the greatest opportunity interventions are set to contribute to reaching the for accelerating the attainment of the SDGs. The plan expected outcomes of the World Justice Project (WJP) amalgamates economic, environmental, and social Rule of Law Index ranking of 99/142, World Bank strategies to address current challenges and ensure Rule of Law estimate of 0.1 and Freedom House total resilient development. ranking of 90/210. Governance and Anti-Corruption Pillar: Development Pillars, Policies This prioritizes building a functional state by and Programs strengthening the governance system at the national and sub-national levels where public trust The AAID is built upon a foundation of six development in institutions, political stability and social cohesion pillars: Economic Transformation, Infrastructure can be enhanced. Three Strategic Policies have Development, Rule of Law, Governance and Anti- been identified, and corresponding programs and corruption, Environmental Sustainability, and Human interventions established to contribute to attainment Capital Development. Each pillar has its development of the expected outcomes of Ibrahim Index of African goal, policy objectives, operational focus, identified Governance (IIAG) ranking of 22/54, Corruption targets, and interventions. Economic Transformation Perception Index ranking of 135/180 and Political Pillar: This focuses on providing the appropriate policy Corruption Index of 0.79. incentives for a conducive investment environment that supports economic diversification, employment Environmental Sustainability Pillar: This focuses National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 5 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID on promoting responsible management of natural health, governance and environmental sustainability resources, protecting biodiversity, and enhancing spending. Diaspora remittances are vital for both resilience to climate environmental changes, while private sector investment and social development. supporting economic growth and improving the Mobilizing funds effectively from the possible quality of life for citizens. One strategic policy has sources, and efficiently managing the required been identified, and corresponding programs and funding envelope is critical for the implementation of interventions are set to contribute to reaching the the AAID. expected outcomes of Environmental Performance To expand the fiscal space and ensure predictable Index ranking of 155/180, Notre Dame Vulnerability and sustainable financing of the plan, Liberia in Index ranking of 150/187 and Notre Dame Readiness collaboration with development partners will develop Index ranking of 160/187. an Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), Human Capital Development Pillar: This review the Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy centers on enhancing skills, education, and overall (DRMS), and pursue climate-related financing and well-being of the population to drive sustainable other emerging options. The Government will also economic growth and social development. This rationalize expenditure to free up space for priority involves improving access to quality education and investment, improve public financial management, vocational training, promoting health and nutrition, and stem corruption. and fostering women and youth empowerment and employment opportunities. Four Strategic Policies IMPLEMENTATION have been identified and corresponding programs ARRANGEMENTS and interventions are set to contribute to reaching the expected outcomes of adult literacy of 62.8 Liberia’s AAID will be supported by a multi-tiered percent (≥15 years), human capital index of 0.4 and life coordination framework to ensure effective expectancy of 63 years. implementation. At the apex is Government Reporting Structure feeding the National Steering Committee FINANCING THE PLAN (NSC), led by the President and deputized by the UN Resident Coordinator, which will provide policy The total estimated cost of the AAID is US$8.38 guidance and oversight, and it will meet biannually. billion. The projected cost across the pillars is as At the second level is the National Coordination follow: Economic Transformation (US$1.59 billion), Committee (NCC), fed by the Government Pillar Infrastructural Development (US$2.57 billion), Working Group and chaired by the Minister of Finance Rule of Law (US$0.62 billion), Governance and and Development Planning, which will convene Anti-Corruption (US$0.81 billion), Environmental quarterly to monitor progress. And finally at the Sustainability (US$0.42 billion), and Human Capital third level is the Technical Committee (TC), fed by Development (US$2.37 billion). The Government the Government Sector Working Group and led by of Liberia will fund (US$2.5 billion, or 30%) while the Deputy Minister for Budget and Development the remaining 70% will potentially be funded by Planning and the Assistant Minister for Development various development stakeholders including the Planning as the Alternate Lead, which will focus on private sector (US$2.7 billion, representing 35%), technical monitoring, supported by Technical and grants as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Sub-National Coordination Groups at the national and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) activities sub-national levels. Development partners, private (US$1.9 billion, or 25%), and Diaspora remittances sector forums, and a robust communication strategy (US$0.7 billion constituting 10%). will further reinforce collaboration, accountability, and stakeholder engagement. The TC shall work along The government aims to enhance financial resources with the Sub-National Coordination Group (SNCGs) for infrastructural and human capital development. and the County Development Steering Committees to Private sector investments are crucial for economic monitor the implementation of the respective County transformation, while ODA will support education, Development Agendas. 6 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID MONITORING AND RISKS AND MITIGATION EVALUATION FRAMEWORK MEASURES Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is essential for The AAID faces risks such as corruption, weak political effective policy formulation and implementation, will, macroeconomic instability, an unfavorable guiding national development planning and business environment, climate change, limited private informing budget allocations. Monitoring shall be sector participation, financing gaps, social conflicts, and pursued to assess whether implementation is going legislative delays. Mitigation measures include anti- on as planned. Evaluation exercise shall be undertaken corruption mechanisms, performance management to assess the extent to which implementation systems, fiscal and monetary discipline, land tenure achieve desired results. Both exercises shall enhance reforms, climate-resilient infrastructure, a robust transparency, accountability, and continuous PPP framework, financial tracking, grievance redress improvement in the delivery of the AAID outcomes. platforms, and strengthened legislative engagement. Liberia aims to establish a comprehensive National These strategies aim to ensure accountability, stability, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (NMEL) system inclusivity, and collaboration among stakeholders, to institutionalize results-based planning and fostering sustainable development and addressing improve the performance of the AAID to minimize challenges that could hinder Liberia’s growth and the implementation challenges. The NMEL framework effective implementation of the AAID. reports on the higher-level results and the targeted Key Performance Indicators and targets arising from implementation of the interventions (refer to Annex 1). National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 7

1. INTRODUCTION ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development Development Goals (SDGs) and its six transitions, (AAID) 2025-2029 is the fourth post-war National Africa Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the Development Plan (NDP) for Liberia. It is the last of Doha Program of Action (DPoA). The goal of the AAID three medium-term plans whose end coincides with is to contribute to Liberia’s transition from a low- the end of National Vision 2030. The preceding NDPs income to a lower middle-income country (LMIC). were expected to actualize the Vision 2030 goal of Liberia is a country with immense potential, but it attaining a lower middle-income country status by continues to face significant challenges in its post-war

2030. The AAID builds on the achievements and recovery and development drive. To address these incorporates lessons learned from two of the three challenges, the nation needs to leverage its natural preceding plans, the Agenda for Transformation (AfT, resources, improve governance, and strengthen 2012-2017) and the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity its infrastructure and social systems, as well as and Development (PAPD, 2018-2023). The AAID mainstream climate change issues, while ensuring is appropriately aligned with Liberia’s Vision 2030 that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. and several international, continental, and regional development frameworks such as the Sustainable National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 9 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 1.1. DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES AT A GLANCE Liberia is endowed with immense growth and These development challenges are deeply development potential. It has a relatively youthful entrenched thus making progress particularly population, with 41.5 percent of its population below difficult for all. At the core of Liberia’s development 18 years of age, 47 percent between ages 18-60, and 5 challenges are the interconnected issues of low level percent of the population is age 60 and above. Despite of literacy (48.3%, UNESCO, 58.6%, LHPC), high level the abundance of natural resources and a potential of vulnerable employment (77.19%, World Bank), and demographic dividend, given its population dynamics, multidimensional poverty (45.0%, LPHC), which are Liberia continues to be listed among the poorest indications of severe deprivation of access to basic countries in the world. As a result, Liberia is classified services. All these disproportionately affect citizens under international development indicators as a low- particularly the vulnerable, including women, girls, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Figure 1: Liberia’s geographic position Low levels of literacy continue to limit productive capacities, further exacerbating income and gender inequalities. Poverty is a direct result of limited economic opportunities, low levels of education, and bad governance. These challenges, including inequalities, create a vicious cycle of vulnerability that not only perpetuates underdevelopment but also serves as a breeding ground for conflict, thereby undermining peace and inclusive development. These challenges must therefore be addressed comprehensively. This requires appropriate policies and programs that position the nation to leverage its natural and human resources, improve governance, and strengthen its infrastructure and social systems while ensuring that climate change issues are income and underdeveloped nation. It is ranked 178 mainstreamed, and that economic growth is inclusive out of 191 countries in human development (UNDP, and sustainable. The prerequisite for effectively Human Development Report, 2024) and is currently addressing Liberia’s challenges is the availability among the 10 poorest countries in Africa (IMF, 2024). and full utilization of adequate human capital and Bad governance and the aftermath of 14 years of a institutional capacities. Getting the pre-requisite in bloody civil war (1989-2003), the Ebola Virus Disease place is an intended outcome of the AAID. (EVD), and the 2019 Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) severely hindered human development and economic growth during the last three decades. 10 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 1.2. STRATEGIC REORIENTATION arrangement for the country to adequately benefit from its resources. This is meant to promote domestic value addition and investment that will lead to 1.2.1. Transformative Thinking and revenue generation, jobs and sustainable wealth Bold Actions creation thereby improving the livelihood of the citizens. This requires reviewing existing concession Liberia’s transformation commences with thinking agreements and ensuring that new arrangements are strategically, and realistically in chatting a sustainable consistent with the production-sharing arrangement. growth and development path. Transformative thinking is crucial because it enables government and Development policies must be implemented to private sector actors to develop innovative ideas to promote economic diversification to minimize the leapfrog development. To be rewarding, such a mode overdependence on non-renewable natural resources of thinking should involve the application of unique and focus on new areas such as food and nonfood national insights and assessment trade-offs, making agribusiness value chains, tourism, and digital the right decisions, and capitalizing on opportunities technologies. With abundant modern technologies, to achieve social, economic, and political it is possible to harness opportunities in agribusiness transformation on a sustained basis. Following the and the extractive industry to transform and diversify transformative thinking process, Liberians must take the economy. These will provide great potential for bold actions to develop the country. Business as usual skilled and better-paying jobs in the economy in the is not compatible with transformative thinking. What medium to long term. has consistently not worked in the past should be discontinued. 1.2.3. Re-Inventing the Governance Collective efforts in bringing the needed Framework transformation are required from all stakeholders including the private sector, development partners, An ineffective governance structure has largely and the Diaspora. There is a dire need to effectively been responsible for the slow progress in enhancing utilize available resources to revolutionize the development in Liberia. Deficiencies are pronounced agribusiness value chain, build modern infrastructures, in three critical areas. First, Liberia’s underdevelopment uphold the rule of law, improve education, health and has been associated with the scarcity of skilled and sanitation outcomes, as well as incentivize investment diversified human capital required to drive inclusive in diverse economic activities such as tourism and and sustainable economic growth and development. information and communication technology (ICT) Second, the uneven distribution of state resources startups. The opportunities provided by disruptive has resulted in high poverty and unbalanced growth digital technologies will be leveraged to accelerate and development between counties and regions. and leapfrog socio-economic progress in all sectors. Third, the failure to uphold the rule of law, misuse, abuse, misappropriation of public resources, over- centralization of power and decision-making, and 1.2.2. Re-Inventing Liberia’s poor service delivery at national and subnational levels Development Philosophy have negatively impacted Liberia’s development. Liberia’s economic growth has been largely Though yet to be implemented, the 2018 Local concessions-driven, particularly in the solid minerals, Government Act (LGA) delineates how power and agriculture and forestry sectors with no value addition. functions should be decentralized to address these There is a need to diversify the sources of economic deficiencies. The Act provides the requisite legal growth and employ development approaches that framework and outlines achievable provisions to promote the interest of the citizens. It has become enhance effective local governance. Consistent with increasingly apparent to transition from a royalty- the Act, authorities at the sub-national levels can based concession regime to a production-sharing collect revenue, undertake public works, allocate National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 11 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID resources, and implement programs within their 1.2.5. Sustainable Transformative respective jurisdictions County Councils and County Environment Administrators are expected to collaborate in managing county affairs effectively. The country’s Liberia’s vast natural resources, biodiversity, and public administration must be committed to coastal landscape have significant revenue potential, improving the administration of justice, upholding and are sources of livelihood for majority of its citizens. judicial independence, strengthening anti-corruption This heavy dependence on natural ecosystems makes behavior to curb corruption, and improving public environmental sustainability central for long-term sector accountability. In addition, the country must growth, resilience, and social well-being. embark on a comprehensive rationalization of the Liberia’s vast natural resources, biodiversity, and public sector mandate and function and fast-track coastal landscape have significant revenue potential, implementation of the LGA. and are sources of livelihood for majority of its citizens. This heavy dependence on natural ecosystems makes 1.2.4. Private Sector Driven environmental sustainability central for long-term Development growth, resilience, and social well-being. The private sector is vital in transforming the The country must build collaborations and economy. This factor demands an enabling partnerships to strengthen environmental environment where private-sector enterprises can governance and policy framework to address thrive and create economic opportunities. In the illegal logging, illicit mining, illegal, unreported and medium term, maintaining macroeconomic stability, unregulated fishing (IUU) and land degradation. improving the regulatory environment, and investing Besides, repositioning green financing and the green in infrastructures will be crucial to strengthening the economy transition as a diversification driver for business climate. public finance management and market creation is crucial. The right policies must be implemented Within the context of the envisioned dominant role of to unlock carbon credits and all segments of green the private sector, a local productive sector is needed. financing (including blue) that would ignite new Policy measures must be undertaken to build a green job opportunities in eco and agrotourism domestic private sector, over time. This would involve to showcase Liberia’s rich biodiversity, promoting the creation of a strong creative economy, bringing conservation and revenue generation. It is important significant opportunities for private sector growth, to promote the growth of green enterprises focusing especially for women and youths while promoting on climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and innovation and cultural heritage. eco-friendly production. Hence, there is a need to address sustainable environmental concerns with Additionally, the country needs to promote the increased awareness by incorporating environmental blue economy for coastal and marine resource education into the school curriculum and promoting development to unlock the immense opportunities public awareness campaigns on sustainability with in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, responsible youth, women, and vulnerable groups in decision- salt production, marine sports, and tourism, as well as making and action. Liberia can foster a transformative the development of marine transport infrastructure approach to sustainable environmental management to complement investments in road transport. by focusing on these key strategic areas. This will not only protect Liberia’s rich natural heritage but also ensure economic growth, social well-being, and resilience against future challenges. 12 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

2. COUNTRY PROFILE AND GROWTH POTENTIAL ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Liberia possesses several growth potentials and comparative advantages that can be leveraged to facilitate its socio-economic transformation. Understanding these advantages is crucial for formulating and implementing the AAID’s strategies that promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth to improve the living standards of its citizens. Liberia’s advantage points that must be harnessed, include the following: (i) commitment to peace and stability; (ii) abundant natural resources; (iii) strategic geographical location; (iv) demographic dividends from a rising young population; (v) cultural heritage and diversity; (vi) strong international support and partnerships; (vii) potential for infrastructure development; (viii) agricultural and resource-based value chains; and (ix) environmental resilience and sustainability. The nature and scope of these are briefly outlined below. Commitment to peace and stability: Liberia’s and sustainable exploitation of these resources can commitment to peacebuilding and democratic significantly contribute to revenue generation and governance is an integral element for creating a development. Additionally, Liberia is home to vast stable environment conducive to investment and tropical rainforests, which not only act as carbon development. A stable and peaceful political climate sinks, contribute to mitigating global warming and motivates investment and supports sustainable climate change, but also offer timber resources that development initiatives. can significantly provide revenue for the country. Rich natural resources: Liberia’s ecosystems Strategic geographical location: As a coastal provide abundant resources and services that drive nation, Liberia has access to the Atlantic Ocean, much of its economy in many ways. Agriculturally, facilitating trade and export opportunities. The ports Liberia has fertile land and favorable climatic of Monrovia and Buchanan can serve as hubs for conditions for sustained production of a wide variety regional trade within the West Africa Region. Liberia’s of crops and non-crops products including rubber, location enables access to neighboring countries palm oil, rice, cocoa, and cassava. The potential for (Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire), providing agricultural diversification and export can accelerate opportunities for cross-border trade and economic economic growth and reduce poverty. The country cooperation within the Economic Community of West is also rich in natural resources such as iron ore, gold, African States (ECOWAS). Liberia has a predominantly diamonds, and other minerals. Effective management tropical monsoon climate, with four distinct topo- geographical regions. These are the: 1) coastal belt, Figure 2: Topographic and political of Liberia Source: https://maps-liberia.com/physical-map-of-liberia Source: https://www.netmaps.net/digital-maps/liberia-political-map/ 14 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID a low-lying plain on the Atlantic Ocean comprised force compared to many other countries, making it of mangroves, tidal creeks, and shallow lagoons up attractive for investment in labor-intensive sectors to 40 km wide and 0–30 meters (m) above sea level; such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services. 2) rolling hills, a transitional zone between 60–150 m comprised of hills, valleys, and fast-moving waterways; Cultural heritage and diversity: Liberia’s rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic groups, and historical 3) plateau, the largest zone in area comprising most significance provide opportunities for cultural of Liberia’s interior between 200–300 m above sea tourism. Promoting tourism can create jobs, generate level, characterized by dense forest cover and a income, and raise awareness of Liberia’s unique sharp change in elevation from the rolling hills; and history and culture. The diverse cultures contribute 4) northern highlands, mountain ridges located near to a range of traditional crafts, music, and art, which the Guinean border above 300 m altitude, which can be developed into a vibrant sector for local and include the Wologisi Range in Lofa, Gbarpolu, and international markets. Bong Counties (up to 1,440 m high), and the Nimba Range in northern Nimba County (up to 1,385 m high International support and partnerships: The on Liberia’s side of the border). These features provide country has received substantial international support potential for investment and sustainable growth. for post-conflict reconstruction and development from organizations such as multilateral and bilateral Demographic dividend: With a significant parteners Leveraging these partnerships can attract proportion of its population under the age of 25, funding and technical assistance for implementing Liberia has the potential for a significant demographic the AAID. Furthermore, as a member of ECOWAS, dividend. If adequately educated and kept healthy, the Mano River Union, the African Union, and the the youthful population can propel economic AfCFTA, Liberia can benefit from regional initiatives growth through innovation, and entrepreneurship. aimed at economic integration, trade facilitation, and In addition, Liberia has a relatively inexpensive labor collaborative development projects. Figure 3: Agricultural Value Chain Source: https://www.randagri.co.za/ Potential for infrastructure development: While Agricultural and resource-based value chains: Liberia faces significant infrastructure challenges, By focusing on value addition in agriculture and there is substantial potential for development in natural resources (such as agro and timber processing), areas such as transportation (roads, rail, ports and Liberia can enhance its export base, create jobs, and airports), renewable energy (hydropower, solar), and increase local income generation. With investments telecommunications. Investments in infrastructure in agriculture and sustainable practices, Liberia can can enhance connectivity, stimulate economic work towards achieving food and nutrition security activity, and improve service delivery. and reducing dependence on food imports. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 15 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Environmental resilience and sustainability: achieving sustainable and inclusive economic Liberia’s natural landscapes and biodiversity provide growth, human development, and employment opportunities for eco-tourism and sustainable creation. By focusing on resource management, youth development initiatives focused on conservation. engagement, regional integration, and international Protecting the environment leads to sustainable partnerships, Liberia will position itself as an attractive livelihoods and resilience against climate change. and competitive economy in the West African region. Utilizing these growth potentials are critical for Figure 4: Liberian agriculture trade fairs 16 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

3. MACRO ASSUMPTIONS ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Macro assumptions are important for national development planning because they serve as the foundation for realistic goal setting, policy formulation, resource allocation, risk management and the achievement of economic transformation goals. In the context of Liberia, where the economy is still recovering from past conflicts, the Ebola epidemic, and other shocks, these assumptions help in setting achievable targets for growth and development while guiding policy interventions in key areas. 3.1. MACRO GOALS Table 1 sets the overarching socio-economic as the macro assumptions and the set of programs macro goals of the AAID, considering the vision of and interventions contained in AAID. transforming potential wealth into real wealth, as well Table 1: AAID Macro Goals Goals Metrics Change ∆ 2024 proj. 2029 Demographics Population Growth of 10.7% 5.6m 6.2m GDP (billion) Growth of 37% $4.75b $6.51b GDP per capita Growth of 23.6% $849.3 $1,050.3 Debt (% of GDP) Increase of 0.3pp 56.1% 56.4% Economy Unemployment Decrease of 0.9pp 5.9% 5.0% Trade balance Decrease of 66.9% $-725.1m $-485.6m FDI flows (net) Growth of 18% $477m $563m Economic formalization (jobs) Increase of 17.6pp 12.4% 30% TI Corruption Perceptions Index Improvement of 10 places 145/180 135/180 Governance and Rule of Law WJP Rule of Law Index Improvement of 10 places 109/142 99/142 Ibrahim Index of Afr. Governance Improvement of 4 places 26/54 22/54 Average life expectancy Increase of 3 yrs 60 yrs 63 yrs Mortality of children < 5yrs Decrease of 46‰p 93‰ 47‰ Maternal mortality (per 100,000) Decrease of 302p 742 440 School years adjusted to learning Increase of 0.7 yrs 2.4 yrs 3.1 yrs Human Capital School completion rate Increase of 4pp 11% 15% Literacy rate (≥ 15 years) Increase of 4.2pp 59.9% 62.8% HCI Improvement of 0.05p 0.32 0.37 Multidimensional Poverty Index Improvement of 9pp 45.0% 36.0% SDG SDG Index Improvement of 7 places 152/166 145/166 Source: GoL and various international organizations. 18 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 3.2. GLOBAL ECONOMIC CONTEXT Macroeconomic conditions: According to October 2024 International Monetary Fund (IMF) World The global economic context is driven by an Economic Outlook (WEO), global growth stood at 3.3 interconnected and evolving landscape of economic percent in 2023 and is expected to stabilize at around activity, trade, investment, and financial flows across 3.2 percent in 2024 and 3.2 percent in 2025 (Figure 5). nations. It is influenced by a range of factors that Economic growth varies across regions, with advanced shape the performance of the world economy and economies experiencing slower growth at 1.8 percent the policies that governments and international (2024 projection), compared to emerging markets organizations adopt. Some key aspects of the global and Sub-Saharan Africa growing at 4.2 percent and economic context include globalization and trade, 3.6 percent respectively (2024 projection). Periods of macroeconomic conditions, financial markets and economic boom and recession are affecting global capital flows, technological change and innovation, output, employment, and income levels. Global global supply chain performance, energy markets growth prospects are also sensitive to political events, and climate change, debt and financial stability, pandemics, and natural disasters. international cooperation and multilateralism and demographic changes. Figure 5: World Economic Growth Source: IMF WEO, October 2024. In addition, high inflation rates, exacerbated by tighter monetary policies to contain price increases. supply chain disruptions and rising energy prices, Consequently, central banks in major economies (such have affected many economies after thepandemic. as the U.S. Federal Reserve or the European Central However, by the end of 2023, inflation neared its Bank) influence global interest rates and liquidity. pre-pandemic level in most economies (Figure 6), Quantitative easing and adjustments in interest rates falling from double to single digits, except for Sub- have ripple effects on currency exchange rates, capital Saharan Africa (SSA). Inflationary pressures lead to flows, and investment across borders. higher costs for businesses and consumers, requiring National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 19 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 6: World inflation Advanced Economies Emerging Markets and Developing Ec onomies Sub-Saharan Africa 17.6 18.1 15.2 % 11.2 11.6 0.7 5.2 3.1 5.9 7.3 9.8 4.6 8.1 2.6 7.9 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 E Source: IMF WEO, October 2024 Debt and financial stability: Many countries face Globalization and trade: Over the past few rising public debt levels, exacerbated by pandemic- decades, the world economy has become related spending and economic stimulus packages. increasingly integrated through trade. Countries High debt burdens, especially in developing countries, are interdependent, exporting goods and services limit their fiscal capacity to make the requisite across borders, and participating in global supply investment to facilitate growth and development. chains. However, shifts in trade policies, such as tariffs, Some developing countries are at risk of defaulting protectionism, and trade agreements, impact global on their debt obligations, creating global financial economic dynamics. Furthermore, tensions between risks. International institutions, including the IMF, are major economies, like the U.S. and China, over tariffs often involved in restructuring debts and providing and trade policies have led to disruptions in trade financial assistance. volumes particularly affecting small vulnerable economies. This was notable especially during Financial markets and capital flows: The global COVID-19 pandemic, when world trade reached financial market allows for the flow of capital between –8.5 percent annual change in 2020, affecting the countries, with stock and bond markets, and foreign global supply chain and market stability. World trade exchange playing crucial roles. Financial market recovered in 2021 with an annual growth rate of 10.8 volatility, triggered by crises, geopolitical tensions, percent and is expected to stabilize at 3.1 percent in or monetary policy changes, is affecting investment 2024 as shown in Figure 7. decisions and economic stability. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key driver of development in emerging economies, while portfolio investments impact global financial markets. Capital flight or rapid changes in investment trends can destabilize economies. 20 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 7: World Trade Performance Volume (annual change) Average 10.8 5.7 % 2.4 0.8 3.1 -8.5 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 E Source: IMF WEO, October 2024 Global supply chain disruptions: The COVID-19 transport systems are reshaping global markets, pandemic significantly disrupted global supply chains, particularly in developed countries aiming to leading to shortages, delays, and increased costs in reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate sectors like manufacturing, shipping, and healthcare. risks, including climate induced disasters influence Recovery from these disruptions remains slow, with economic decisions. Countries vulnerable to climate some industries still facing recovery challenges. The change face greater economic instability and costs IMF, in its October 2024 WEO refers to the global for recovery, while the global push for sustainability is recovery as a steady but slow and differing by region. influencing investments in green technologies. Conflicts and tensions in regions critical to supply International cooperation and multilateralism: chains have caused further disruptions, particularly Organizations such as the IMF, World Bank, World in energy and commodity markets, raising concerns Trade Organization (WTO), and United Nations about food security and energy shortages. are playing critical roles in managing economic Technological change and innovation: The challenges, providing financial support, and fostering global economy is experiencing a rapid technological cooperation among nations. Since 2015, sustainable revolution. Technological advancements, particularly development has been the core principle of global in Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and digital cooperation and national development. This has economies, have redefined production processes, involved rallying all nations and all people to labor markets, and international competitiveness. actualize the universal aspirations encapsulated in the Countries leading in technological innovation are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris influencing global productivity and growth patterns. Climate Agreement in order to achieve low emission While advanced economies benefit from innovation, economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental many developing countries lag in access to technology sustainability and good governance. To accelerate and digital infrastructure and capacity, widening the their realization for the remaining period, six SDG global economic divide. transitions, such as (i) food systems; (ii) energy access and affordability; (iii) digital connectivity; (iv) Energy markets and climate change: Fluctuations education; (v) jobs and social protection; and (vi) in energy prices, especially oil and gas, affect global climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation inflation and production costs. Energy transition and pollution, will be critical investment pathways policies toward renewable energy and low emission globally. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 21 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Demographic changes: Advanced economies are Figure 8: World population experiencing aging populations, leading to labor shortages and increased social welfare costs. In contrast, many developing countries have younger 8.11 populations but face challenges in providing sufficient 8.04 employment and education opportunities. Migration 8.00 patterns are affecting global economic contexts, with labor mobility and remittances playing significant billions 7.90 roles in both developed and developing countries. The 7.84 global population in 2024 is estimated at 8.1 billion (Figure 8) and is expected to continue growing, but at a slower pace with just eight countries contributing to 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 E half of that increase. These countries include five from Africa (Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo Source: UN Population (DRC), Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Republic of Tanzania) and three from Asia (India, Pakistan, and the Philippines). market volatility, technology, and geopolitical risks all contribute to shaping the global economy. The global economic context is marked by complexity Understanding these dynamics is essential, as they and interdependence, with nations facing shared impact policy decisions, investment strategies, and unique challenges. Factors such as global and global cooperation aimed at guaranteeing a economic growth, trade policy dynamics, financial sustainable development plan for Liberia. 3.3. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT According to October 2024 IMF WEO, Sub-Saharan Africa’s real GDP growth is expected to remain at 3.6 percent in 2024, as in 2023 (Figure 10). This growth is driven by improvements in global economic conditions and effective policy measures. Despite multiple shocks, including geopolitical tensions, climate issues, COVID pandemic and political instability, African economies have shown remarkable resilience. Figure 9: Regional Economic Growth Source: IMF WEO, October 2024 22 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) 3.4. NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT agreement, operationalized in 2021, is expected to CONTEXT increase Africa’s trade by over 50 percent by 2030. It has the potential to lift 30 million people out of poverty Liberia’s development context is characterized and increase the income of 68 million others who live by its historical legacy, economic potential, social on less than US$5.50 a day. While the AfCTA presents challenges, and ongoing efforts to rebuild and significant opportunities, it also faces challenges stabilize the nation. Addressing these issues requires such as infrastructure deficits, non-tariff barriers, and a multi-faceted approach involving governance the need for harmonized standards and regulations. reforms, investment in infrastructure, and social Effective implementation will require strong political development initiatives. will, robust institutions, and active participation from the private sector and civil society. 3.4.1. Social Context The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is expected to see a combined economic Liberia’s social context is shaped by its history, cultural growth rate of 7 percent in 2024, up from 6.5 diversity, and the ongoing challenges it faces in post- percent in 2023. This growth is driven by the start of conflict reconstruction, economic development, new hydrocarbon production and other economic and social cohesion. The social landscape reflects a activities. Inflation has fallen rapidly from its 2022 complex interplay of factors that influence the well- peaks and is now back within the target range of being and quality of life of its citizens. The country’s 1-3 percent. This stability is crucial for maintaining economic progress has not led to inclusive growth purchasing power and economic confidence. Efforts due to high-income inequality and a slow structural are underway to reduce fiscal deficits. The goal is to transformation process. The country is ranked 152 out bring the deficit back to 3 percent of GDP by 2025. of 166 globally in the 2023 Sustainable Development This fiscal discipline is essential for ensuring long- Goal Index, with an SDG Index score of 52.4. Liberia’s term economic stability. Although external reserves development indicators show limited progress, fell significantly in 2023, they rebounded by US$1.8 with a high maternal mortality rate of 742/100,000 billion in January 2024. Maintaining and rebuilding live births, prompting the government to prioritize these reserves is vital for economic resilience (IMF, comprehensive reproductive services through health 2024). infrastructure and skill development. Population and demographic dividend: Liberia’s population has been increasing steadily over the years, from 1,016,443 in 1962 when the first census was conducted. According to Liberia 2022 Population and Housing Census (LPHC), the population as of 2022 stands at 5,250,187, with an annual growth rate of 3 percent. The population is almost evenly divided between males (50.4%) and females (49.6%). A little over half (54.5%) of the population resides in urban communities, while the remaining (45.5%) resides in rural areas. Overall, as shown in Table 2, Montserrado County alone accounts for over a third (36.6%) of the population, with close to 92 percent of its population residing in urban areas. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 23 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Table 2: Population of Liberia by county, sex and residency Liberia Sex Place of Residence County Total % Male % Female % Urban % Rural % Montserrado 1,920,965 36.6 943,194 49.1 977,771 50.9 1,761,525 91.7 159,440 8.3 Nimba 621,841 11.8 312,164 50.2 309,677 49.8 209,560 33.7 412,281 66.3 Bong 467,561 8.9 235,183 50.3 232,378 49.7 149,620 32.0 317,941 68.0 Lofa 367,376 7.0 182,953 49.8 184,423 50.2 86,701 23.6 280,675 76.4 Margibi 304,946 5.8 152,778 50.1 152,168 49.9 170,465 55.9 134,481 44.1 Grand Bassa 293,689 5.6 150,369 51.2 143,320 48.8 89,575 30.5 204,114 69.5 Grand Gedeh 216,692 4.1 115,280 53.2 101,412 46.8 91,661 42.3 125,031 57.7 Cape Mount 178,867 3.4 96,767 54.1 82,100 45.9 47,221 26.4 131,646 73.6 Maryland 172,587 3.3 86,811 50.3 85,776 49.7 106,141 61.5 66,446 38.5 Sinoe 151,149 2.9 79,353 52.5 71,796 47.5 26,753 17.7 124,396 82.3 Bomi 133,705 2.5 68,591 51.3 65,114 48.7 34,228 25.6 99,477 74.4 River Gee 124,653 2.4 65,443 52.5 59,210 47.5 62,077 49.8 62,576 50.2 Grand Kru 109,342 2.1 56,967 52.1 52,375 47.9 7,217 6.6 102,125 93.4 Gbarpolu 95,995 1.8 51,165 53.3 44,830 46.7 8,832 9.2 87,163 90.8 Rivercess 90,819 1.7 47,680 52.5 43,139 47.5 10,898 12.0 79,921 88.0 Total 5,250,187 100.0 2,646,094 50.4 2,604,093 49.6 2,862,474 54.5 2,387,713 45.5 Source: LPHS, 2022, A. Migration and Urbanization also has a dormitory city status, hosts several educational institutions including the historical Migrants (mainly internal) constitute 30.5 percent of Booker Washington Institute and the Kakata Rural the population in 2022, from 21.7 percent in 2008. Teacher Training Institute as well as the Firestone For the first time in Liberia’s history, more people are Rubber Plantation serve as attractive conditions living in urban areas than in rural communities. In for internal migrants who come looking for jobs 2008, 47.0 percent of the population lived in urban and education opportunities. areas, which has since risen to 54.5 percent in 2022, and is estimated to reach approximately 60.0 percent B. Heads of Households by 2040. Male heads of households in both urban and Montserrado and Margibi counties are the rural communities have reduced, while women destinations of the majority of these migrants heads of households have increased. In 2022, (1,108,727). A large number of the population 68.2 percent of households were headed by men, residing in Montserrado (58%) and Margibi (54%) compared to 75.7 percent in 2008, while women are migrants. In Montserrado, Monrovia alone is heading households was 31.8 percent in 2022, projected to absorb around 60,000 new residents compared to 24.3 percent in 2008 (LPHC, 2022). every year over the next 15 years. Kakata, which 24 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID C. Age Structure between 2022 and 2032. This increasing youth population will continue to create demands for Liberia has a youthful population. Close to three economic opportunities (jobs) and social services quarters (74.6%) of the population is below the (education, health, sanitation), both of which age of 35 (0-34). Those under the age of 18 (0- challenge revenue generation, allocation, and 17) account for a substantial segment (41.5%) of utilization. This is seen in terms of the demographic the population, while 18 to 34-year-olds make dividend. The actual age-sex structure and up about a third (33.1%) of the population. The the accompanying changes overtime that are remaining quarter of the population are split brought about by the components of population between those aged 35-64 years (22.6%) and changes (births, deaths & migration) calls for the those aged 65 years and above (2.8%). (LPHC, need for government to invest in the population 2022). and to derive the benefits of the demographic transition (smaller under 15 population to a By account of the Liberia Demographic and more pronounced change in the productive Health Survey (LDHS), Liberia is a high-fertility working population. Such investments will country. Women in the reproductive ages, 15 -49 lead Liberia to benefit from the demographic years have on average 4.2 children (LDHS, 2019). dividend through the skills acquisition and other Total fertility rate, which continues to be high at development actions and initiatives directed at the current levels, has been gradually declining young people, which then further impacts the over the years, moving from a high of 7.1 in 1984 desired population change that leads to a more to 5.8 in 2008, then declining further to 3.9 in productive population.

2022. This represents a reduction of (1.9) births in 14 years. At the current fertility rate, children under 15 years of age in the population will D. Dependency in the population remain high in the next twenty years. Dependency in the population is the percentage of the non-working age population (aged 0-14 According to figure 10, the youth population and 65 years or over) that would be supported (15-24) is projected to increase by 34 percent economically by the working age population (15- 64 years). The percentage Figure 10: Liberia’s population pyramid in 2022  is 59 percent (56% urban and 63% rural). This means ϴϬн that about 59 persons ϳϱͲϳϵ ϳϬͲϳϰ of the non-working age DĂůĞ &ĞŵĂůĞ ϲϱͲϲϵ population are being ϲϬͲϲϰ supported by every 100 ϱϱͲϱϵ ϱϬͲϱϰ persons of the working- ϰϱͲϰϵ age population. (LPHC, ϰϬͲϰϰ ϯϱͲϯϵ 2022). ϯϬͲϯϰ ϮϱͲϮϵ This dependency ratio ϮϬͲϮϰ indicates a gradual ϭϱͲϭϵ ϭϬͲϭϰ transformation of Liberia’s ϱͲϵ population age structure ϬͲϰ with a growing working- ϴ ϲ ϰ Ϯ Ϭ Ϯ ϰ ϲ ϴ age population (55% in 2008 to 63% in 2022). This Source: LISGIS: LPHS 2022 is an indication that Liberia has an opportunity to leverage its demographic National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 25 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID dividend, (smaller under 15 population to a On average, slightly more than 30 percent of all more pronounced change in the productive households are engaged in agriculture or have at working population. Therefore, integrating least one member engaged in agriculture, with population dynamics into development planning 70 percent of these headed by males. Nimba will position Liberia to harness its demographic accounts for one-fifth (19.5%) of the total number dividend. of agricultural households in Liberia, followed by Lofa (15%), Bong (14.5%), and Montserrado E. People with disability (10.4%) (LPHC, 2022). There is an increasing number (11.4%) of the Unemployment: The state of employment in population 5 years and above having varying Liberia is a serious concern and reflects broader degrees of disability in 2022 compared to 3.2 economic challenges. According to Liberia percent in 2008. Visual and physical impairments Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information are the most common forms of disability in Services (LISGIS), in 2024, unemployment rate in Liberia in 2022 (LPHC, 2022). Liberia stood at 5.9 percent. Formal employment comprised only 12.4 percent of the employed F. Economic Activities population, meaning that informal employment represented approximately 87.6 percent. This The economically active population aged 15 shows a notably high informal sector, particularly years and above is 26.4 percent with persons among the youth. Also, the youths (aged 15– between the ages of 35 -64 years accounting 24 years) not in education, employment or for the highest proportion (13.2%), followed by training was 44.2 percent (see Table 3 in section persons 15 – 34 years (12.3%) (LPHC, 2022). 6.1.2). According to Liberia Growth Diagnostics Across all counties, participation in economic developed by the African Development Bank in activity is heavily concentrated in four counties— 2023, the agriculture sector that employs about Montserrado, Nimba, Lofa, and Bong—which 42 percent of employment in Liberia. This implies account for two-thirds (66.1%) of all economically that a growth in agricultural value-addition active persons in the population. Montserrado would significantly affect the national growth alone accounts for slightly more than a third and welfare of most of the Liberian population. (33.1%), followed by Nimba (11.7%), Lofa (10.7%), and Bong (10.6%) (LPHC, 2022). 3.4.2. Economic Context Economic activities within households are Liberia’s economic context is characterized by its diverse. Common activities include agriculture, reliance on agriculture and natural resources, the which remains a predominant sector, especially in impacts of past conflicts, and ongoing challenges rural areas, and small-scale trading, which is more in infrastructure, employment, inequality and prevalent in urban regions. Other significant changing climate and environmental conditions. activities involve various forms of employment in Over the last decade, governance has negatively services, manufacturing, and construction (LPHC, impacted economic development in Liberia 2022). through various channels. Significant levels Nationwide, approximately half (49.7%) of those of corruption and mismanagement of public engaged in economic work are salary and wage resources have historically undermined economic workers. This number includes more males development in Liberia. Funds that could have (24.8%) than females (14.2%). However, for those been invested in infrastructure, education, and self-employed, women dominate with over half healthcare have often been often diverted, and (54.6%) of those engaged in owned businesses, thereby stalling progress. This has led to a lack of compared to men (46%) (LPHC, 2022). trust in government institutions and discouraged foreign and domestic investments. 26 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID To foster sustainable growth, the country addressed to unlock its full potential. According needs to streamline economic policies, to figure 11, economic performance moderated diversify its economy, improve governance slightly to 4.6 percent growth in 2023, from the and infrastructure, and create an inclusive 4.8 percent recorded in 2022, mainly on account environment that provides opportunities for all of moderation in the primary sector (mining & segments of society, given the following sectoral panning, and forestry as well as agriculture & macroeconomic fundamentals. fisheries). Growth for 2024 is projected at 5.1 percent, reflecting improvement in the primary Real Sector: The real sector in Liberia is largely sector, particularly the agriculture and fishery driven by the services, agriculture and mining subsector. sectors. However, the sector faces challenges related to infrastructure, low productivity, and limited diversification, which need to be Figure 11: Liberia’s economic growth Source: IMF WEO, October 2024 In terms of sectoral share to GDP in 2022, the services subsector accounted for the highest share with 37.5 percent, followed by agriculture and fisheries with 29.7 percent, as shown in Figure 12. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 27 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 12: Sectorial share of GDP in Liberia 2022 % 5.9 % 8.6 Services 37.5 Agriculture & Fisheries 18.3 Mining & Panning Forestry Manufacturing 29.7 Source: LISGIS. Fiscal Sector: Liberia’s fiscal sector is characterized development of a more resilient fiscal sector. From by an underperforming revenue base, budget deficits, 2022 to 2023, Liberia’s fiscal stance recorded significant and challenges related to institutional capacity. deficit of US$193.9m and US$213.6m respectively. Effective fiscal management, enhanced revenue However, it is projected to improve in 2024 to collection, and strategic public spending are critical US$42.4m, signaling potential progress towards fiscal for achieving sustainable economic growth and consolidation (Figure 13). The government’s ability improving the overall well-being of the population. to sustainably manage expenditure and improve Investing in institutional capacity is essential for the revenue collection will be crucial in maintaining this positive trajectory. Figure 13: Liberia’s fiscal balance Source: MFDP 28 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Liberia’s fiscal deficits from 2022 to 2023 have been External Sector: Liberia’s external sector shows substantial, contributing to an increase in the country’s potential for growth through exports and foreign debt stock. This trend underscores the need for investment. Structural challenges persist related to effective fiscal management and debt sustainability trade balance, economic vulnerability, and the need strategies to avoid the risks associated with high for improved regional integration and infrastructure. levels of public debt. In 2023, total debt to GDP ratio The country’s economy remains heavily reliant on was 55.4 percent and is estimated to increase slightly exports, particularly of raw natural resources such as to 56.1 percent at the end of 2024. iron ore, gold, and timber. The agricultural sector also contributes significantly through exports of cocoa, Monetary and Financial Sector: The Liberian rubber and palm oil. monetary and financial sector is characterized by a dual currency regime, a small and underdeveloped Liberia has a negative trade (goods and services) banking system, inadequate financial inclusion, and balance. Imports rose from US$1.73 billion in 2021 limited capital markets. While the sector has shown to US$2.22 billion in 2023, reflecting a substantial increase. This indicates higher demand Figure 14: Liberia’s inflation rate trajectory for foreign products, not only due  to rising consumption but also industrial needs (e.g., for machinery, raw materials, fuel, etc.). This shows a growing dependence on imports, which is straining foreign reserves and contributing to trade imbalances. The growth in exports (from US$1.03 billion in 2021 to US$1.27 billion in 2023), while positive, is modest compared to the surge in imports. Liberia is facing challenges to increase the value or volume of its export products (especially those dominated Source: MFDP and IMF by commodities like rubber, iron ore, and palm oil). Diversification into higher-value goods and new markets is some progress, particularly in digital financial services, necessary to accelerate export growth. Consequently, it faces significant challenges related to inflation as shown in Figure 15, a growing trade deficit (from management, exchange rate stability, financial US$693.2 million in 2022 to US$961.1 million in 2023) deepening, and regulatory enforcement. Addressing places pressure on the country’s current account these challenges through reforms and improved and currency stability, requiring interventions like financial sector policies will be key to promoting increasing export competitiveness, boosting local stability and inclusive economic growth in Liberia. production, or reducing dependence on imported In 2023, the Liberian monetary aggregate expanded goods. due to increased domestic spending. Average headline inflation rose to 10.1 percent in 2023, from In relation to FDI, Liberia is positioned as an attractive 7.6 percent in 2022. The rise in average inflation was destination for FDI in the region, but the recent largely caused by the depreciation of the domestic volatility highlights the need for sustained efforts to currency and developments in the international stabilize and grow investment. Meanwhile, as shown prices of the country’s major consumables. Figure 14 in Figure 16, regional competitors like Sierra Leone shows Liberia’s inflation rate over the medium term and Côte d’Ivoire are catching up. when compared with other Mano-River Union (MRU) Countries. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 29 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 15: Trade balance Figure 16: Liberia net FDI inflows 2,000.0 19.9 5.8 2.4 1.9 0.4 1,500.0 1,000.0 1,270.9 1,334.5 1,207.9 500.0 1,030.6 23.2 24.0 Liberia net FDI inflows US$ million - % of GDP -500.0 -708.6 -753.6 -954.8 -725.1 17.2 15.2 -1,000.0 -1,500.0 -1,739.2 -1,961.5 -2,059.5 4.3 2.7 3.2 1.1 -2,225.7 -2,000.0 5.0 1.9 1.7 1.9 0.6 7.2 2.3 2.2 0.8 6.9 -2,500.0 0.0 0.5 2021 2022 2023 2024 E Liberia Sierra Leone Ghana Cote d'Ivoire Nigeria Trade Balance Imports Exports 2020 2021 2022 2023 Avg Source: CBL Source: IMF 3.5. MACROECONOMIC Economic Growth: The GDP growth prospects for FRAMEWORK 2025-2029 Liberia from 2024 to 2029 show a positive outlook, driven by some sectors, such as mining and Projecting the macroeconomic framework for agriculture. In 2024, the growth rate is expected Liberia for the period of 2025 to 2029 involves to reach 5.1 percent, accelerating to 5.8 and 5.9 considering current global, regional and national percent in 2025 and 2026, respectively. From economic conditions, recent trends, and 2027 to 2029, growth is projected at 6.0 percent. potential developments. The framework focuses This consistency highlights steady expansion on achieving sustainable economic growth, with manageable fluctuations. On average, real maintaining macroeconomic stability, and GDP growth is projected at 5.9 percent from 2025 addressing the social and economic challenges to 2029, showing a robust performance. This that the country faces. sustained growth suggests a positive economic trajectory driven by multiple sectors, especially The overall goal is to increase purchasing power agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. (Figure and improve the well-being of Liberian citizens. 17). In this regard, key priorities to pursue include economic diversification, infrastructure development, Figure 17: Liberia’s economic growth forecast fiscal consolidation, financial sector reforms, jobs creation, and social protection. These efforts will be underpinned by a commitment to improving governance, enhancing human capital, and promoting agribusiness revolution. The successful implementation of this framework will depend on effective policy coordination, political will, strong institutions, and Source: MFDP and IMF continued support from the international community. 30 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Mining, agriculture, and manufacturing are the its share of GDP from 18.3 percent in 2022 to 20.4 key growth drivers. The high growth in mining percent in 2029. This is attributed to several maturing will contribute to export revenues and foreign projects and new commitments from international direct investment while growth in agriculture and investors, coupled with implementation of the manufacturing, it will trigger value chains, essential for production sharing regime instead of the current ensuring food security and addressing rural poverty. royalty based concession regime. The high growth in According to Figures 18 and 19, the mining sector is the early years indicates favorable market conditions, expected to experience high growth rates averaging increased resource extraction activities, or potential 8.1 percent between 2005 and 2009, and increasing new investments. Figure 18: GDP structure Figure 19: GDP sectorial growth  Source: MFDP Growth in the agriculture sector is expected to (ECOWAS), African (AfCFTA), and international average 7.0 percent between 2025 and 2029. As one of economic frameworks to increase market access by the dominant sectors in Liberia, its increasing growth adjusting its tariff structure to the ECOWAS Common rates signify ongoing investment and productivity External Tariff (CET) of the Customs Union (CU) and improvements. This trend will likely have substantial ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS). social and economic benefits due to its critical The AAID demonstrates a clear trajectory towards role in employment and food security. Growth in transitioning the country from low-income country manufacturing is projected to average 6.2 percent from (LIC) to a lower middle-income country (LMCI) by 2025 to 2029. This suggests that the manufacturing

2029. Government policies and development efforts sector is becoming increasingly important for Liberia’s should drive the increase in GDP from US$4.7 billion industrialization, diversification, and job creation. The in 2024 to US$6.5 billion by 2029. This steady growth slower growth in sectors such as forestry and services suggests a gradual recovery and expansion of the reveals the need to address structural issues including economy, which is promising for long-term economic underutilization of forest resources or inefficiencies in stability. the service industry. Sectoral growth as a function of productive factors is a response to national, regional or international demand. Liberia will take advantage of regional National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 31 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 20: Liberia’s GDP and GDP per capita Source: MFDP and IMF. According to Figure 20, the rise in GDP per capita from sectors. Improving the business environment through approximately US$849.3 in 2024 to US$1,050.3 by robust policy reforms with private sector dialogue 2029 reflects an improvement in the average income and addressing challenges in the informal sector level of Liberians. This growth indicates better living will also be vital. While the projected growth figures standards and economic opportunities, assuming that are encouraging, they highlight the importance of the benefits of growth are equitably distributed. addressing underlying structural issues to ensure that Liberia’s economic development is sustainable and Despite this positive outlook, Liberia still faces inclusive over the long term. significant challenges. Issues such as infrastructure deficits, governance, climate change effects, and Fiscal sector: the country is projecting to pursue reliance on a narrow range of exports could impede prudent fiscal policies to guarantee macroeconomic sustainable growth. Sustained investment in human stability and support inclusive growth, while ensuring capital and infrastructure will be crucial to support debt sustainability. The overarching goal is to invest the AAID growth trajectory. Economic growth can in productive public infrastructure to accelerate be influenced by external factors, such as global inclusive growth while enhancing efficiency in commodity prices, international demand for Liberia’s public investment through the implementation of exports, and geopolitical conditions. The resilience of sound Public Sector Investment Policies in support Liberia’s economy will depend on its ability to adapt to of human capital development, governance, and these external shocks. agribusiness. Besides fiscal consolidation to enhance quality expenditure, efforts will be directed toward To sustain the projected growth, the government formalizing the informal economy alongside other will implement policies that attract further foreign policy measures to expand the domestic revenue investment in infrastructure, roads, energy and ICT to base. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, this approach support human development, especially education, will enable a continuous implementation of budget agribusiness (agricultural production and food commitments without expanding the debt-to-GDP processing), governance, and rule of law to enhance ratio. the business environment and tourism to diversify the economy and enhance productivity in key 32 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 21: Medium-term fiscal balance Figure 22: Debt-to-GDP ratio  Source: MFDP and IMF. Monetary sector: For the period of 2025 to 2029, the private sector credit in the economy, especially country’s monetary policy stance shall primarily be for human capital development, agribusiness and focused on achieving and maintaining domestic price tourism. stability in the Liberian economy, while contributing External sector: Liberia is projected to experience to a stable financial system. To this end, Liberia a widening trade deficit, driven by rising imports plans to achieve price stability through prudent outpacing export growth. This growth will be driven liquidity management and coordination with the by expanded imports for capital and intermediate fiscal authorities. In terms of inflation, the country goods for agribusiness (agriculture and industry) is targeting, in the short run, a single digit, while its production, mining. The trade deficit is expected medium-term goal is for inflation to be at most 5.0 to widen until 2027, translating the heavy imports percent, consistent with the ECOWAS macroeconomic of production capital, peaking at US$839.3 million convergence criterion on inflation. Finally, the country before gradually narrowing to US$485.6 million by will create a conducive environment to increase 2029, close to pre-Covid-19 performance. Figure 23: Liberia’s trade balance Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 33 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Given the global, regional and national context, From the economic transformation perspective, as well as the growth potential mentioned above, agribusiness is foundational to Liberia’s economy, given the primary drivers of development for the next its rich agricultural resources. Investing in sustainable development period are human capital, rule of law, farming practices, value addition, and enhancing governance, agribusiness and tourism, thereby food security and promoting exports of processed fostering economic growth and societal progress. cash crops like cocoa and palm oil, agribusiness can Human capital development is crucial for sustainable effectively and sustainably stimulate job creation and growth, especially investing in improving health, income generation. Supporting local farmers with education and vocational training to equip the better access to markets and technology will also help workforce with necessary skills, stimulating innovation to improve agriculture productivity and economic and productivity in agribusiness, tourism, and other diversification. Tourism holds significant potential for sectors. Liberia, given its natural beauty and cultural heritage. By promoting eco-tourism and cultural tourism, the On the other hand, rule of law and governance is country can attract international visitors, generate fundamental to establishing a stable environment revenue and create jobs in the hospitality and service for doing business. Ensuring legal protection for industries. Developing infrastructure , and branding businesses and individuals will enhance investor and marketing Liberia’s touristic products can yield confidence and promote fair competition. Similarly, faster gains in tourism revenue. Campaigns will be strengthening the judiciary and law enforcement will essential to realize this touristic potential. also help combat corruption, which has historically hindered economic progress in Liberia. Finally, infrastructure, especially roads, need to be seen as development enablers that facilitate development drivers to act as the engine for development. 34 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

4. THEORY OF CHANGE ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The Theory of Change (ToC) is vital for the AAID’s conceptualization as it enhances clarity, strategic focus, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability, ultimately contributing to more effective and sustainable development outcomes. 4.1. DRIVING THE CHANGE The Theory of Change (ToC) is based on a structured are established to guide change with its respective approach to clarify how specific interventions will interventions and outcomes leading to materializing lead to desired outcomes and impact. The process the long-term Vision 2030. Overall, the ToC requires involves conducting a situational analysis of critical that the associated assumptions are satisfied for the issues that must be addressed for change to occur. desired change to materialize. Based on the analysis, strategic goals and objectives Figure 24: Theory of Change scheme SITUATIONAL INTERVENTIONS CRITICAL ISSUES GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OUTCOMES ASSUMPTIONS ANALYSIS To develop a skilled, knowledgeable, healthy Expand and modernize the Human Capital Index 0.4 Human capital is and empowered educational and health Underperfor- performing substantially population, to drive system with focus on Maternal mortality Favourable (220%ooo ) med Human below its potential sustainable & inclusive socio-economic children, youth, women & vulnerable groups Literacy rate (52.8%) Global and capital is development National affecting To establish a just […] legal Expand and modernize Freedom House total macro Governance Institutional weakness and low civil society framework that […] promotes good governance, and fosters the judicial system with focus on establishing a ranking 90/210 economic WJP Rule of Law Index that is failing participation a stable development functional rule of law 99/142 conditions, environment environment to honor its genuine government Vision 2030 Goals social and Complex challenges that To build accountable and Strengthen anti- environment require comprehensive effective institutions that can corruption institutions Corruption Perception commitment Index 135/180 al reforms & commitments to promote value for money and implement e- Political Corruption Index to implement strengthening service delivery, prevent and governance and combat corruption […] 0.79 necessary commitment accountability information technologies reforms, s and to To build a competitive […] Create a business GDP per capita $1,048 involvement create the Consistency of the economic policy, economy that is private environment conducive to a World Bank Findex 70% of civil sector driven for Debt/GDP 56.4% appropriate bureaucratic inefficiencies sustainable economic resilient and competitive market based on local & GDP growth 6.3% society, & limited access to credit business growth regional value chains Inflation 5% private environmen sector, To develop modern, t for private Challenging infrastructure reliable and climate Build sustainable& Reduction in transportation development and SOE service delivery for inclusive infrastructure costs by 30 % sector to communities and resilient infrastructure to support socio-economic for social dignity and to Reduction in travel time by partners and produce businesses development ignite business activities 60% diaspora & goods, focus on To promote responsible services and Challenges from management of natural Strengthen institutional Environmental equity and deforestation, pollution, Performance Index 155/180 jobs climate change, & resources, […] & enhance capacity on environmental Forest Landscape Integrity inclusion resilience to environmental matters unsustainable practices changes […] Index 52/172 Source: MFDP This theory of change outlines a comprehensive The proposed interventions—modernizing framework to tackle underperforming human education and healthcare, strengthening anti- capital, governance challenges, and environmental corruption measures, creating an enabling business sustainability while enhancing business environment environment, and enhancing institutional capacity— and fostering economic growth. It identifies critical are well-suited to address these challenges. The barriers such as weak institutions, inconsistent integration of measurable outcomes, such as economic policies, inadequate infrastructure, and improvements in human capital indices, corruption unsustainable practices, linking these issues to perception rankings, GDP growth, and environmental strategic goals and interventions aligned with Vision sustainability indicators, ensures accountability and

2030. Key objectives include developing a skilled and progress tracking. healthy population, building accountable governance While the theory is ambitious and well-structured, structures, creating a private sector-driven economy, its success hinges on several assumptions, including and promoting responsible resource management. favorable global and national macroeconomic 36 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID conditions, genuine government commitment to development impact enhances the likelihood of reforms, and active participation of civil society achieving meaningful outcomes that improve the and private sector stakeholders. To strengthen its quality of life for individuals and communities, thus resilience, it would benefit from adaptive strategies contributing to overall societal progress. to address unforeseen challenges, particularly in To implement the ToC, the AAID applies two important governance and climate risks. A clearer plan for risk planning layers, namely: (i) organizational planning; mitigation and coordination among stakeholders and (ii) development planning. Both are essential in could further enhance its long-term impact and driving effective management and strategy design sustainability. within institutions and communities. However, they serve different purposes, focus on distinct aspects, 4.2. ORGANIZATIONAL AND and operate at different levels. Organizational DEVELOPMENT PLANNING planning, which precedes development planning, Development impact has been more present in aims to define and equip planning structures (vision, development planning exercises and refers to pillars, sectors, and institutions) with the necessary the significant, medium to long-term effects of resources to achieve goals and establish a framework development initiatives on individuals, communities, for coordinating efforts. Development planning on and economies. In development planning, the other hand, involves the formulation of policies, understanding and evaluating development impact programs and interventions aimed at achieving is crucial for several reasons. By focusing on the long- socio-economic development within a specific term effects of policies, programs and interventions area (such as community, region, or country). This embedded in development plans, it is possible to process encompasses identifying development make informed decisions, promote accountability, goals, outcomes and outputs, analyzing resources engage stakeholders, and foster sustainable and needs, and outlining actions to improve living development. Ultimately, a strong emphasis on standards and economic conditions (see Figure 25). Figure 25: AAID organizational and development planning scheme ORGANIZATIONAL PLANNING DEVELOPMENT PLANNING DEV. VISION 2030 PILLARS STRATEGIC POLICIES PROGRAMS INTERVENTIONS DEV. FILTERS DRIVERS ECONOMIC STABILITY & 1 1.1 GROWTH 2 1.2 ECONOMIC. 2.1 Youth & Children Economically TRANSFORMATION COMMERCE & INDUSTRY 3 3.1 prosperous 4 4.1 AGRICULTURE & 5 5.1 Gender SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FISHERIES 5.2 ROADS AND BASIC 6 6.1 Socially and INFRASTRUCTURE 7 demographicall 7.1 Employment y a harmonious INFRASTRUCTURE 8 8.1 DEVELOPMENT. TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS Agribusiness nation 9.1 9 9.2 WATER AND SEWAGE 10 10.1 Formalization Environmentally Roads 11 11.1 , a beautiful and JUSTICE 12 12.1 flourishing RULE OF LAW 13.1 Rule of Law Climate Change country 13 PUBLIC SAFETY 14.1 14 14.2 FOREIGN AFFAIRS 15 14.1 Education Complementarity Politically 14.2 16 democratic 15.1 GOVERNANCE & ANTICORRUPTION PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 17 16.1 Sanitation Business TRANSPARENCY AND 18 17.1 Environment ACCOUNTABILITY 19 18.1 Culturally 19.1 Tourism ENVIRONMENTAL 20 19.1 Vulnerable groups vibrant. SUSTAINABILITY CLIMATE CHANGE 21 19.2 22 20.1 EDUCATION 19.1 Digitization 23 21.1 Technologically HUMAN CAPITAL HEALTH 24 innovative DEVELOPMENT 22.1 Peace and 25 20.1 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Reconciliation 26 21.1 Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 37 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID This AAID aims at deriving development impact by promoting cultural heritage, and attracting recognizing different development actors, namely investment, ultimately enhancing infrastructure development drivers and filters. Five areas have and fostering community engagement for been identified as sustainable development drivers, sustainable growth. namely agribusiness value chain, roads a proxy Furthermore, development filters are defined as for infrastructure, rule of law as a proxy for good contextual factors that determine how effectively governance, education and sanitation as a proxy development drivers influence socio-economic for human capital and tourism to benefit from the development impact, namely: other development drivers’ dynamics. Development drivers are the key factors or forces that promote or ● Children and Youth: Children and youth represent hinder socio-economic development. They are the more than 50 percent of the Liberian population. underlying mechanisms that will accelerate growth, They play a crucial role in development due to improve living standards, and enhance overall well- their potential as future leaders, innovators, and being. Their importance as drivers feeding into the change-makers. Their involvement is essential macro assumptions is as follows: for creating sustainable and inclusive societies. ● Transformative agribusiness should drive ● Gender: Ensuring gender equality in Liberia’s economic growth and create jobs, while ensuring development is particularly critical given the food and nutrition security, and promoting country’s historical context, socio-economic sustainable practices, ultimately contributing to challenges, and aspirations for inclusive the resilience and prosperity of Liberia. sustainable development. ● Sustainable and inclusive infrastructure with ● Employment: Generating sufficient employment a focus on roads spurs economic growth, social opportunities is vital for economic growth, development, and resilience, ultimately driving poverty alleviation, social stability, and human the country towards sustainable development capital development. By prioritizing employment and improved living standards for the people in generation in development strategies, Liberia Liberia. can enhance the well-being of its citizens, promote sustainable development, and build a ● Enforceable rule of law will foster stability, more prosperous and resilient future. Effective accountability, protection of rights, promote employment policies not only create jobs but trust in institutions and enhancement of also foster an environment where individuals the business environment, which is vital for can thrive, and thus contribute to the overall economic growth and social equity. progress of the nation. ● Quality education drives development by ● Formalization of the informal economy: enhancing skills, promoting good governance Formalizing the economy is essential to allow and economic opportunities, fostering civic informal businesses to transition to the formal engagement, and reducing poverty, ultimately sector. Consequently, Liberia can enhance empowering individuals and communities to economic growth, improve job security and contribute to sustainable growth and social working conditions, empower marginalized progress. groups, and foster a more inclusive and resilient ● Preventive health measures, with a focus on economy. This process is critical for improving sanitation, drive development by improving domestic resource mobilization. workforce productivity, reducing healthcare ● Climate change: Addressing climate change costs, enhancing quality of life, fostering is crucial to build a resilient, sustainable, economic stability, and enabling communities and inclusive future. By integrating climate to thrive. considerations into development strategies, ● Specialized tourism can drive development Liberia can protect and sustainably utilize its by creating jobs, boosting local economies, 38 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID abundant natural resources, enhance the well- ● Digitalization: Introducing information being of its citizens, and foster economic growth technologies is vital for development impact while minimizing the impacts of climate change. as it enhances governance efficiency, improves This approach not only addresses immediate service delivery, and fosters economic growth. challenges but also contributes to long-term It enables access to information and financial development goals and enhances the overall services, promotes entrepreneurship, and resilience of the nation against climate-related predictability and supports data-driven decision- threats. making. Additionally, digitalization empowers ● Complementarity: By fostering integrated marginalized communities, enhances global approaches, enhancing resource utilization, competitiveness, and facilitates sustainable and promoting stakeholder collaboration, practices, ultimately driving social progress and complementary strategies lead to more improving quality of life across various sectors. consistent, impactful, sustainable, and resilient ● Peace and reconciliation: Peace and development outcomes. This alignment is crucial reconciliation strengthen stability, promote for addressing the multifaceted challenges economic resilience, empower vulnerable Liberia faces, ultimately contributing to a more groups, and enhance governance. By fostering prosperous and equitable society. social cohesion, reducing conflict, and ensuring ● Business environment: Improving the business equitable resource use, peace and reconciliation environment is crucial for fostering development support sustainable growth, unite communities, and requires robust policy dialogues with and establish Liberia as a secure, attractive the private sector and reforms. It fosters environment for development and investment. economic growth, job creation, innovation, and These themes act as the essence of development competitiveness while enhancing governance thinking, fostering inclusive and sustainable and institutional frameworks. By prioritizing development impact of every single intervention. a conducive business climate, Liberia can To achieve the functionality of the development derive incremental investments, empower drivers and filters, the AAID is constructed to secure local entrepreneurs, and create sustainable interlinkages among sectors in their actions. Sectoral development pathways that benefit all interlinkages allow connections and relationships citizens. This strategic focus not only addresses between different sectors (such as health, education, immediate economic challenges but also lays agriculture, infrastructure, and environment) for the foundation for long-term prosperity and common goals and how they impact one another. resilience. Recognizing and leveraging these interlinkages is ● Vulnerable groups: Supporting vulnerable crucial for effective planning and development. groups is crucial for fostering inclusive and equitable growth where no one is left behind. 4.3. PRIORITIZATION OF By prioritizing the needs of these groups, Liberia INTERVENTIONS can reduce inequalities, enhance economic development, improve health and well-being, The utilization of development drivers and filters and build resilience. This inclusive approach ensures that resources are allocated effectively and not only contributes to social justice and that interventions align with strategic goals. Having stability but also aligns with national and global identified the development drivers and filters, a development goals, ultimately paving the way scoring system is developed to assign weights to for a more prosperous and sustainable future for both development drivers and filters based on their all citizens. importance. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 39 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Furthermore, the weights identified are used to score of resources. There are 6 development drivers and future projects against drivers and filters and provide 8 development filters. Each development driver is development impact certificates, postponing or worth 10 points and the development filter 5 points. adjusting projects with lower development scoring. The maximum points a project can get from targeting This process allows one to assess ex-ante the potential development drivers is 60 points (60 percent), and for development impact of each project and make it development filters is 40 points (40 percent), totaling budget-sensitive. During and after implementation, 100 points (100 percent). outcomes of prioritized interventions will be monitored against ex-ante commitments. By following these steps, the development impact process decisions can guide the efficient allocation Figure 26: Project prioritization scheme (examples) PROJECT EXAMPLES DEV. DRIVERS: 10pts DEVELOPMENT FILTERS: 5 pts TOTAL # Improvement of Liberian Economic Diplomacy (i) Agribusiness, (ii) Tourism 20 pts (i) Employment, (ii) Complementarity, (iii) Business environment 15 pts 35 pts # Formalization of Artisanal & Small-scale Mining Sector (i) Rule of Law 10 pts (i) Youth & Children, (ii) Gender, (iii) Employment, (iv) Formalization, (v) Climate, (vi) Bus. Environ. 30 pts 40 pts # Improve School Feeding (i) Education, (ii) Sanitation, (iii) Agribusiness 30 pts (i) Youth & Children, (ii) Gender, (iii) Complementarity, (iv) Vulner. Groups 20 pts 50 pts # Improvement the regulatory and (i) Rule of Law, (ii) Education 20 pts (i) Formalization, (ii) Business Environment 10 pts 20 pts monitoring framework for gaming # Enhancement of Sewage Services (i) Sanitation 10 pts (i) Complementarity, (ii) Climate 10 pts 20 pts # Enhance Support to County Peace Service Centers None 0 pts (i) Complementarity, (ii) Gender, (iii) Youth & Children, (iv) Digitization, (v) vulnerable groups, (vi) Peacebuilding 30 pts 30 pts # Support to Inclusive MSME Credit to (i) Agribusiness, (ii) Tourism, (i) Youth & Children, (ii) Gender, (iii) Complementarity, (iv) Vulner. Liberian-Owned Businesses (iii) Education 30 pts Groups, (v) Digitization, (vi) Formalization, (vi) Business Environ. 30 pts 60 pts # Support to the Increase of Food Crops (i) Agribusiness, (ii) (i) Youth & Children, (ii) Gender, (iii) Complementarity, (iv) Vulner. 35 Production Education 20 pts Groups, (v) Formalization, (vi) Business Environment, (vii) Climate pts 55 pts # Strengthening Institutional Public 35 Financial Management Capacity (i) Education, (ii) Rule of Law 20 pts (i) Youth & Children, (ii) Gender, (iii) Complementarity, (iv) Vulner. Groups, (v) Formalization, (vi) Business Environment, (vii) Climate pts 55 pts Source: MFDP. 40 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID

5. AAID STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 41 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The AAID strategic framework is a critical component contributing to the successful implementation and achievement of national development goals. The strategic framework provides a structured approach for addressing the country’s developmental challenges, guiding resource allocation, and promoting sustainable economic growth. It ensures that Liberia’s development agenda is coherent, inclusive, and sustainable. It provides a clear roadmap for achieving long-term economic transformation, guiding policy formulation, resource mobilization and allocation, and promoting accountability. Ultimately, it ensures that Liberia’s development efforts are aligned with its national priorities, and responsive to both domestic and global challenges and opportunities. 5.1. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK The field of development planning has evolved interconnectedness of social, economic, governance significantly over the past two decades, reflecting and environmental challenges plus the need for changes in global economic dynamics, social coordinated and interlinked actions to achieve needs, environmental concerns, and technological sustainable development goals (Figure 27). The advancements. This trend in development planning evolving landscape of global challenges and reflects a shift towards more inclusive, realistic, technological advancements will likely continue to sustainable, and evidence-based approaches. shape development planning in the years to come. These changes are driven by recognizing the Figure 27: Pathway to achieving Vison 2030 Source: MFDP. 42 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID In 2012, Liberia Vision 2030 was developed. It was B. Enhanced Decentralization through designed as a long-term strategy for the country’s County Development Framework development, aligned with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Over the past twelve Both AfT and PAPD lacked accompanying County years, Liberia has developed two (2) NDPs to guide Development Agendas, thus making it difficult its development efforts. The first was the Agenda to engender ownership among citizens at the for Transformation (AfT), developed for the period county level. The AAID is developed in concert 2012-2017. The second was the Pro-Poor Agenda for with the County Development Agendas through a Development and Prosperity (PAPD), developed for participatory process involving the people at the the period 2018-2023. Building on these two previous district and county levels. Ownership is further medium-term development plans, the AAID is aligned strengthened by the Local Government Act of 2018, with Liberia’s National Vision 2030 and international which enhances the LGA’s decentralization efforts and development frameworks, including the United local government performance. Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. C. Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks 5.1.1. Lessons Learned from Previous Development Plans Failure to fully migrate to program-based budgeting under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework Despite contributing to the realization of the (MTEF) affected the implementation of the MTEF Liberia Vision 2030 aspirations, each of the above rollout. Between the AfT and the PAPD periods, there development plans encountered challenges during were attempts to effectuate the rollout process as implementation. These challenges provide useful several reviews and capacity-building initiatives lessons upon which the AAID is partly developed. were undertaken. However, these initiatives did not The challenges were more pronounced in several materialize as expected, primarily due to limited development management areas including the political will. The current AAID has adopted a following: programmatic approach to development which makes it compelling for implementation to allow A. Monitoring & Evaluation Framework the development of program-based budgeting. This approach will improve the development impact and There was a lack of a robust M&E framework or system complementarity of projects at the national and sub- that would effectively disaggregate and periodically national level. It will also compel decision-makers to measure progress at both national and subnational ensure proper alignment between the budget and levels to augment decision-making. While the AfT the Plan by upholding the requirements of program- and the PAPD M&E frameworks were premised on based budgeting. However, implementation of an institutionalized arrangement wherein the MFDP program-based budgeting and its corresponding assumed the role of the national M&E office, the MTEF will require a strong political will. AAID intends to improve this mechanism. Within this arrangement, the national M&E Unit at MFDP will execute the robust M&E framework developed in collaboration with USAID/DELTA. Provisions within the framework cover the roles and responsibilities of both national and subnational actors to address core challenges related to data collection, management, and decision-making. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 43 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID D. Coordination Linkage between F. Misalignment between the NDPs National and Sub-National Levels and the National Budget The coordination linkage between the national and Whereas the annual budget is the main subnational levels through the County Development implementation vehicle for the NDPs, there has been Steering Committee (CDSC) arrangement that was a weak link between the two. The implementation initiated during the Poverty Reduction Strategy and of the annual national budgets associated with the the AfT implementation was gradually weakened AfT and the PAPD were not strongly linked to the during the PAPD implementation. The 2025-2029 aforementioned Plans’ interventions and projects, County Development Agendas for the 15 counties which resulted in poor development outcomes. have revived, expanded and reinstituted the necessary The AAID in its formative stage (2024) has already coordinating mechanisms between the AAID and the made provision for key ARREST-related projects and CDAs. Three constituency committees are established interventions in the fiscal year 2025 annual budget. to advise and guide the CDAs’ program management The AAID will continue this trajectory of ensuring teams: (i) District Development Steering Committee that critical development interventions and projects (DDSC); (ii) County Development Steering Committee at both national and sub-national levels are always (CDSC); and (iii) National Development Steering captured in the national budget for development Committee (NDSC), with the latter two linking with effectiveness. the AAID National Steering Committee. The AAID The AAID therefore demonstrates a continuity of seeks to strengthen this arrangement and provide the planning culture that builds on the foundations the platform for effectuating this mechanism and already laid by the previous plans. Consequently, as processes. With the 2018 LGA Act providing cogent shown in Figure 28, besides the macro assumptions recommendations for decentralization and robust and the adoption of best practices in the formulation coordination, the AAID envisages a more aggressive of the AAID, a set of steps were pursued to add and robust coordination regime that will link the robustness into the outcomes, namely (i) alignment national and sub-national development processes. with Vision 2030 and international, continental E. Risk Mitigation Measures regional and bilateral commitments; (ii) utilization of lessons learned from past AAIDs; (iii) undertaking Previous development plans did not have risk county and sectoral consultations to ensure bottom- mitigation strategies. The AfT was negatively affected up and top-down principles; and (iv) adoption of the by twin shocks- the declining prices of Liberia’s major ruling party’s manifesto commitments. commodities on the world markets coupled with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and other risks. Similarly, the PAPD (2018-2023) implementation was obstructed by the COVID-19 epidemic which negatively impacted all facets of Liberia’s growth and development. The AAID is cognizant of the potential risks that may affect its implementation and incorporates ‘lessons learned’ from the mistakes of the most recent past thus it has undertaken a risk assessment and provided risk mitigation measures. Two other critical risk factors that were not adequately dealt with during the execution of the AfT and the PAPD, but are addressed in the AAID and shall be strictly monitored and managed, are corruption and the citizens ownership and involvement in the planning and implementation process. 44 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 28: Steps in setting the AAID framework Liberia 2030 Vision Contribute to Liberia’s transition from low- income to a lower AfT (2013-2017) & PAPD middle-income country (2018-2023) GOAL ARREST Agenda AAID NDP 2025-2029 Sectorial, county and district consultations International commitments Source: GoL. The county and sectoral consultations resulted in setting the sectoral goals and the county priorities as shown in Figure 29. Roads as a proxy for infrastructure represent approximately 34 percent of the priorities of the counties, followed by agriculture and health accounting for 22 percent each, education 17 percent, rule of law 5 percent and sanitation 1 percent. Figure 29: County priorities set during consultations Source: GoL National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 45 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 5.1.2. Plan Formulation Process championed, owned, and driven by Liberians. The AAID planning process was launched by His The AAID endeavors to address five foundational Excellency the President of Liberia on May 23, 2024, developmental questions in its formulation process. with the inauguration of the Coordination Framework First, as a country, where is Liberia on key areas to guide the formulation and implementation of of socio-economic development? To address this the AAID in a participatory and inclusive manner. question, the strategic policies under each of the On July 18, 2024, His Excellency also launched the six (6) pillars have been investigated and baseline consultative process leading to the formulation of findings captured in the Development Pillar, Policies the AAID, Public Sector Investment Programs (PSIP), and Programs chapter. and the County Development Agendas (CDAs). Second, where does Liberia want to be in the next five Hence, the consultative process involved diverse (5) years in terms of its socio-economic development? stakeholders from counties, government institutions , To answer this question, key macro goals, development the Legislature and Judiciary, development partners, results and targets to be achieved by 2029 have been civil society organizations, private sector actors and set based on the macro assumptions and local context the Diaspora. demonstrated under each pillar. The consultations involved participants from 136 Third, how does the country intend to get to where districts and were conducted in 44 assembly venues. it wants to be in the next five (5) years? To address There were also 15 county deliberations, 11 budget this question, strategic policies, programs, and sector engagements, an online survey for diaspora interventions required to achieve the objectives of participation, and an exclusive consultation for people each pillar area have been determined, elaborated, with disabilities to inform the preparation of the AAID. and exacted. Following these consultations, the AAID was drafted and shared with various stakeholders for inputs and Fourth, what assurances are there to determine the improved draft was validated and subsequently achievement of the desired outputs or outcomes? endorsed by both the National Coordination and Here, the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with National Steering Committees. key performance indicators for the achievement of (outputs and outcomes) as well as corresponding 5.2. AAID PRINCIPLES, STRUCTURE strategic policies and interventions under each pillar AND STAKEHOLDERS has been developed. The strategic goal of the AAID is to contribute to Fifth, which stakeholder institutions will be Liberia’s transition from low-income to a lower middle- responsible to achieve the desired outputs or and income country. This is in line with the Liberian Vision outcomes? An exercise in responsibility analysis has 2030 whose overall goal is to create a vibrant economy been undertaken. It identified which stakeholder in which more than half of the working population is institutions will be responsible to achieve the employed in the formal sector, and per capita income determined outputs or outcomes. exceeds US$1,000. The AAID provides strategic directions and guidance 5.2.1. AAID Guiding Principles for Liberia’s development over the next five years The AAID Guiding Principles provide a foundation for (2025–2029). It identifies key development challenges designing, implementing, and evaluating, programs, and presents prescriptions that link peace and and interventions. They serve as a compass to ensure stability to inclusive, sustained economic growth, that development efforts are aligned with long-term transformation, and human development. The goals, reflect the values and priorities of society, and Plan is bold and ambitious. While the Plan solicits are implemented in a coherent, sustainable, and the goodwill and support of the development inclusive manner. partners and other stakeholders, it is expected to be 46 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The AAID guiding principles are: adapt to changing times and circumstances; ● Inclusiveness: The development of the country ● Cause-consequence: Recognition of cause and the processes to attain it must be equitable and consequence challenges enables the and inclusive. It must reflect ownership, government to prioritize interventions for involvement and be for the benefit of all the effective decision-making and strategic Liberian people; planning to yield the most significant positive ● Justice and Equality: The rights and freedoms and sustainable outcomes. The focus on of the people must always be respected and resolving the cause over the consequences has protected. Everyone should have equal access sustainable outcomes and offers efficiency in to opportunities and be treated fairly before the public resource usage; and law. There should be no impunity for those who ● Digital Transformation: Embedding digital break the law; transformation into the AAID, Liberia will ● Transparency and Accountability: Transparency leverage technology to fight corruption, drive and accountability are hallmarks of good progress, improve governance, living standards, governance. They must be exhibited by all and position itself competitively in the global Liberians, particularly those who govern. economy. These tenets are not a matter of choice: they are imperative for every civilized society. Only 5.2.2. AAID Structure when governing systems are fair, transparent and accountable, can the government claim The AAID structure is consistent with Liberia’s Vision legitimacy; 2030, incorporates lessons learned from previous ● Peace and Reconciliation: Peace and NDPs and the main elements from the strategic reconciliation are the bedrocks of stability and development pillars set out in the 2024-2029 political human progress. Violence is unacceptable and program of the winning party of the 2023 general must not be tolerated. All problems can be elections. Figure 30 presents the main elements of the resolved through dialogues and constructive AAID structure. engagements. This requires tolerance, mutual respect, and a commitment to co-existence as a people; ● People-Centered Development: Human development is the primary goal of economic Figure 30: AAID Structure growth. Economic progress is irrelevant if it is not transformed into identifiable sustained changes in the quality of life of a people. Pillars 6 Accordingly, development must be people- centered and people-driven; Strategic Policies 23 ● Local Ownership: Liberians must take charge of their development process. Local governments Programs 52 and communities must participate in decision-making and take ownership of their Development Drivers 6 development. Decentralization of governance and development activities to the counties and Development Filters 8 communities is thus mandatory; ● Flexibility: To remain relevant, the Source: GoL implementation of this Plan must be flexible to National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 47 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Pillars: Pillars are central themes guiding public policy Programs: Programs are organized sets of activities, and development efforts, providing a framework for initiatives, or interventions designed to achieve integrating and coordinating actions across various specific objectives within a particular sector or area of sectors to achieve the country’s medium-term development. development objectives. Objectives: Objectives are essential for ensuring that Strategic Goals: Strategic goals are overarching a program delivers the desired outcomes within the objectives of the pillars that guide the development defined scope, budget, and timeline. They provide and implementation of policies within a particular clear, measurable goals that guide the program’s sector. planning, execution, and evaluation. Strategic Policies: Strategic policies are guidelines Interventions: Interventions refer to specific, time- governing economic, social, and environmental bound initiatives or efforts designed to achieve challenges. specific objectives within a defined program. They are critical components of broader programs and Strategic objectives: Strategic objectives of strategic plans, aimed at delivering concrete outcomes that policies are high-level, medium-term aspirations contribute to policy strategic goals. that provide direction and purpose to the program’s activities. These strategic objectives are aligned with Targets: Targets refer to specific, measurable goals broader national or organizational strategic policies that guide the planning process and help assess to ensure that the program contributes to sustainable progress. development, economic growth, and social well- being. Figure 31: AAID Pillars and Strategic Goals Source: GoL 48 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 5.2.3. AAID Key Stakeholders Traditional leaders: Their role is crucial in community mobilization, advocacy, conflict resolution, and The key stakeholders who will be fundamental in the cultural preservation thereby positioning them as implementation of the Plan include the following: essential partners in achieving the AAID’s goals. By collaborating with traditional leaders, the Public sector: The Government will provide government and development partners can enhance the policy direction, governance, public services, the effectiveness of their interventions and contribute infrastructure, and institutional frameworks necessary to sustainable development in Liberia. to achieve the AAID’s goals. By ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in governance, Development partners: Development partners the Government will not only improve the lives of contribute financial and technical resources, build citizens but will also create a conducive environment capacity of public officials, and provide policy support for economic transformation, peace, and sustainable towards easing Liberia’s development challenges. development. Strengthening public institutions is By supporting infrastructure interventions, therefore essential for the effective implementation promoting good governance, enhancing social of the AAID and for achieving long-term national sector development, and fostering environmental prosperity. sustainability, development partners can help Liberia achieve the inclusive and transformative development Private sector: This will drive economic growth, envisioned in the AAID. Additionally, their involvement generate employment, foster innovation, and ensures alignment with global development goals investment in infrastructure. The private sector is and promotes long-term sustainability, making them indispensable as it plays a crucial role in transforming significant collaborators in Liberia’s journey toward Liberia’s economy. Its ability to attract investment, economic transformation and national progress. support innovation in SMEs and start-ups, enhance exports, and promote human capital development Diaspora: The Liberian communities abroad play a makes it a key partner in achieving the AAID’s key role in the development of the country. They are objectives. Furthermore, by adhering to its corporate the country’s most loyal ambassadors in promoting social responsibility, promoting governance, and Liberia’s image and attracting investment. The supporting environmental sustainability, the Diaspora’s financial contributions, knowledge transfer, private sector ensures that Liberia’s development is investment in entrepreneurship, advocacy, and inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Strengthening global networks significantly contribute to Liberia’s collaboration between the public and private sectors social, economic, and governance goals. By engaging will be essential to fully realize the AAID’s vision for Liberians abroad more systematically and leveraging national progress. their resources, the country can enhance its capacity to meet the AAID’s objectives of inclusive growth, Civil society: This, including non-governmental poverty reduction, and sustainable development. organizations (NGOs), will be a key partner in achieving the AAID’s goals, using its ability to engage Academia: Academia conduct evidence-based citizens, hold the government accountable, advocate research to inform policy decisions. They can provide for marginalized groups, and foster transparency and policy recommendations that enable Government good governance. By promoting inclusiveness, peace, to address emerging development challenges based human rights, and environmental sustainability, on findings from their research. The Government civil society organizations will help to ensure that anticipates enhanced collaboration with academia Liberia’s development is equitable, participatory, to foster evidence-based research and innovation to and sustainable. Collaboration between the public inform key policy decisions that are critical for the sector, private sector, and civil society is crucial for sustainable transformation of the country. transforming Liberia’s economy and improving the quality of life for all its citizens. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 49 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 5.3. ALIGNMENT TO GLOBAL, CONTINENTAL AND REGIONAL COMMITMENTS The AAID is aligned with international commitments, especially the SDGs, Africa Union’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the DoPA. Figure 32: AAID alignment with international commitments Organization Description The alignment of the NDP with the UN SDG and its Six Transformations framework is essential for ensuring that Liberia’s development trajectory is sustainable, inclusive, and globally connected. The Six Transformations Framework provides a structured approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a roadmap that can help Liberia focus on key areas that drive long-term growth and human well-being. These transformations span various sectors critical to holistic development and aim to foster equity, sustainability, and resilience. Aligning the NDP with Africa's Agenda 2063 is crucial for ensuring that Liberia's long-term development goals are consistent with the continent's broader aspirations for inclusive and sustainable growth. Agenda 2063 is the African Union's blueprint for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future, and aligning national development strategies with this vision ensures coherence, solidarity, and shared progress across the continent. ECOWAS The ECOWAS Vision 2050 is crucial for ensuring that Liberia’s national development strategy is integrated with regional objectives, fostering economic growth, peace, and sustainability within the West African subregion. By aligning its NDP with ECOWAS Vision 2050, Liberia can maximize the benefits of regional cooperation and advance its national goals in a way that is consistent with broader West African priorities. Doha Program of Action The Doha Program of Action (DPoA) for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) 2022-2031 is crucial for ensuring that Liberia maximizes its development potential while addressing the specific challenges it faces as an LDC. The DPoA outlines a comprehensive framework to support LDCs in achieving structural transformation, sustainable development, and integration into the global economy. Liberia’s alignment with the DPoA ensures that its national development goals are aligned with international efforts to uplift the most vulnerable economies. In the specific case of the SDGs, the AAID programs (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) with 43 and and interventions have been aligned with the SDGs 39 interventions respectively. This concentration of at 83 percent level. The Plan has 52 programs and interventions in SDGs 8 and 16 is confirmed by the 375 development interventions of which most of UNDP SDG Push diagnostics that showed the above them (45) are directly aligned with SDG 8 of decent SDGs to be the most fundamental ones for Liberia. work and economic growth. Following in second and A close observation of these three top-ranking third positions are SDGs 4 (Quality Education) and 16 SDGs exhibits the aspirations of the Liberian people 50 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID and these are: the means to sustain livelihoods total interventions followed by digital connectivity, (employment); human capital development; and at 19 percent and closely followed by the transition sustainable institutions which can foster inclusion, on jobs and social protection with 17 percent of the peace, stability and prosperity. total SDG –aligned interventions. Further, Energy access and affordability transition has 16 percent, The AAID has further incorporated the six SDG climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution have transitions with the aim to create holistic and 15 percent and lastly food systems entail 9 percent integrated synergies, ensuring that interventions of the interventions (Figure 33). The implication of are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient to future placing education and digital connectivity high up challenges. This approach fosters a comprehensive based on the transitions approach is that investing understanding of the interconnections between in the two development areas provides the most environmental sustainability, economic growth, feasible pathway for accelerated SDGs attainment in and social equity. Education is the highest ranked the remaining period and overall progress. of the six transitions constituting 24 percent of the Figure 33: AAID-SDG-aligned interventions Source: GoL Furthermore, the AAID is aligned with the outcomes and security, science, technology, innovation and of the Summit of the Future expressed in the Pact of digital cooperation, youth and future generations, the Future with its annexes, the Global Digital Pact and and transformation of global governance. Declaration on Future Generations, covering a broad In addition to the alignment of the AAID with the range of themes, including sustainable development SDGs at different levels, the AAID is also aligned with and financing for development, international peace National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 51 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID the AU Agenda 2063 as shown in Figure 34. All AAID Spheres of Life with 14 strategic policies, followed by strategic policies are addressing the AU Agenda 2063 Goal 7 on Environmentally Sustainable and Climate goals, except Goal 9. Most AAID strategic policies are Resilient Economies and Communities with 13 addressing AU Goal 17 on Full Gender Equality in All strategic policies, Goal. Figure 34: Alignment of AAID Strategic Policies with AU Agenda 2063 goals 1 2 3 4 5 6 # GOVERNANCE AND ANTI- Alignement of AAID Policies AAID Development Pillars ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL HUMAN CAPITAL RULE OF LAW CORRUPTION with AU 2063 Agenda Goals UA 2063 Agenda Goals TRANSFORMATION DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT A High Standard of Living, Quality of Life and Well Being for 1 2 2 1 3 8 All Citizens Well Educated Citizens and Skills revolution underpinned by 2 2 1 2 5 Science, Technology and Innovation 3 Healthy and Well-Nourished Citizens 1 3 4 4 Transformed Economies 6 1 2 9 Modern Agriculture for increased productivity and 5 4 4 production 6 Blue/ocean economy for accelerated economic growth 1 1 Environmentally sustainable and climate resilient 7 3 3 1 1 5 13 economies and communities 8 United Africa (Federal or Confederate) 1 1 2 Continental Financial and Monetary Institutions are 9 0 established and functional 10 World Class Infrastructure crisscrosses Africa 2 2 Democratic values, practices, universal principles of human 11 2 3 5 rights, justice and the rule of law entrenched 12 Capable institutions and transformed leadership in place 2 3 3 8 13 Peace, Security and Stability is preserved 1 2 3 3 9 14 A Stable and Peaceful Africa 1 2 3 4 10 15 A Fully Functional and Operational APSA 2 1 3 16 African Cultural Renaissance is pre-eminent 1 1 1 3 17 Full Gender Equality in All Spheres of Life 6 1 2 1 1 3 14 18 Engaged and Empowered Youth and Children 2 1 3 6 Africa as a major partner in global affairs and peaceful co- 19 1 1 1 1 1 5 existence Africa takes full responsibility for financing her 20 1 1 2 development Source: MFDP. Finally, there are international alliances Liberia can utilize for its development needs such as the Africa Opportunity and Issues-Based Coalitions (OIBCs) comprised of experts from different international organizations, led by the UN. 52 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

6. DEVELOPMENT PILLARS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1. PILLAR 1: ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION Strategic Goal: Build a competitive, diversified, inclusive and resilient economy that is private sector driven for sustainable economic growth. The Economic Transformation pillar focuses on providing appropriate policy incentives for a conducive investment environment that supports local production, industrialization, employment and wealth creation, innovations, export growth, and import rationalization. 54 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Over the years, Liberia has heavily relied on a few leading sectors to generate its national output and revenue. As of 2022, the services sector was the most dominant at 37.5 percent, followed by agriculture at 29.7 percent and mining and panning at 18.3 percent. Manufacturing, which has a huge potential to create jobs, contributed only 5.9 percent. This indicates that the economy is less diversified with limited value addition and minimal sources of growth. Furthermore, exports of unprocessed raw materials earn Liberia less in export revenues (US$1.2 billion), while total imports totaling US$1.9 billion in 2023 was significantly higher leading to a trade deficit of US$753.6 million. Reliance on unprocessed commodities and a less diversified economy constrains revenue mobilization and overall fiscal operations of the government in the delivery of essential public goods and services. Tax revenue, a major revenue source for the government, is also vulnerable to global price fluctuations (DoD Study, UNDP, 2024). Owing to the limited diversification and sophistication of available economic activities, poverty reduction, job growth, and human development have been constrained. Furthermore, other constraints hampering development include demographic pressures from rapid population growth, limited institutional capacity, poor service delivery in health and education, inadequate infrastructure, and entrenched socio-cultural norms (DoD Study, UNDP; 2024). Poverty and the exclusion of large segment of the population into gainful activities remain a major shortcoming. The share of people living below the international poverty line of US$2.15 a day remains high, at 35.4 percent. Unemployment is also high and is particularly detrimental for young people and women (Liberia Poverty Assessment: World Bank; 2023). As a coping mechanism, individuals have opted for opportunities in the informal sector which accounts for approximately 87 percent of the total labor force in Liberia, and which inadvertently restricts tax collection and reduces funds available for social spending by the government. Therefore, the AAID seeks to build a vibrant and diversified economy where the private sector will flourish and contribute to job creation. The government will focus on reinforcing the rule of law, strengthening governance, and fighting corruption, while ensuring efficient management of the economy to maximize its growth potential. The government will also undertake prudent fiscal management and provide incentives for investments, particularly in the productive sectors of the economy. Additionally, the government will fully operationalize the Special Economic Zone by providing the requisite infrastructure and incentives to facilitate value addition of agriculture products, and other light and heavy manufacturing. Overall, the Economic Transformation pillar presents investment opportunities and signals that can trigger private and public-private partnership enterprises in the economy. The agribusiness value chain that includes agricultural production, processing, marketing, and storage offers several growth opportunities for the private sector. In addition, forestry, wood, animal husbandry, and fisheries also provide enormous potential. Mineral beneficiation and tourism activities including trade, commerce, and services also offer potential private-sector investment opportunities. Figure 35 highlights the comparative ranking of investment potential areas by county to guide investment decisions during the planned period and beyond. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 55 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 35: Potential private sector investment areas by sector and counties PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT AREAS Fish Light & Agricultura Forestry & Eco- COUNTIES Agri- Production Animal Commerce Medium l Wood Mining Processing & Husbandry & Services Manufactu Production Processing Tourism Processing ring Bomi Good Exceptional Fair Good Good Fair Exceptional Good Good Bong Exceptional Exceptional Good Good Good Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Good Gbarpolu Good Fair Exceptional Fair Good Fair Fair Exceptional Good Grand Bassa Good Exceptional Good Exceptional Fair Exceptional Exceptional Fair Good Grand Cape Good Good Fair Exceptional Good Fair Fair Exceptional Exceptional Mt. Grand Good Fair Exceptional Fair Good Fair Fair Exceptional Good Gedeh Grand Kru Good Fair Good Exceptional Exceptional Fair Fair Exceptional Good Lofa Exceptional Fair Exceptional Fair Good Fair Fair Exceptional Exceptional Margibi Good Exceptional Exceptional Good Good Exceptional Exceptional Good Good Maryland Good Good Fair Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Fair Good Montserrado Good Exceptional Fair Good Fair Exceptional Exceptional Fair Good Nimba Exceptional Good Good Fair Good Exceptional Good Exceptional Exceptional Rivercess Good Good Good Exceptional Good Good Exceptional Good Good River Gee Good Fair Exceptional Fair Exceptional Fair Fair Fair Exceptional Sinoe Good Exceptional Good Exceptional Exceptional Fair Fair Fair Exceptional KEY: ● Limited Potential with room for growth in natural and non-natural resources ● High potential with room for growth in natural and non-natural resources ● High potential with room for boom in natural and non-natural resources 56 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 1: Economic Transformation and Development Filters To successfully implement the programs under the Economic Transformation pillar, a multidisciplinary approach will be taken into consideration and reinforced by the development filters, namely: Youth and Children: Expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training ( TVET ) programs focused on industry-relevant skills, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy, while promoting internships, apprenticeships, and youth-focused entrepreneurial programs to transition young people into the workforce. Gender: Reinforcement of gender-based data collection and implementation of policies that improve women’s access to credit, land ownership, and business registration, and offer entrepreneurship training tailored to women, while developing business infrastructure, such as marketplaces to give more dignity to women and girls. Vulnerable Groups: Ensuring that vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and disadvantaged youths, have access to skills training, entrepreneurship programs, and micro-financing opportunities. Employment: Strengthening labor market regulations to improve working conditions, expand workers’ rights, and promote job formalization and development of policies to expand labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture, construction, and tourism, while promoting the creative and blue economies as new sources of jobs. Formalization: Streamlining business registration and licensing processes, particularly for small and informal businesses, while offering tax incentives, social benefits, and training programs to encourage informal businesses to formalize their operations. Climate Change: Promoting investment in infrastructure that is resilient to climate risks, particularly in agriculture and coastal communities, and encouraging climate-smart agricultural practices to boost productivity while reducing environmental impact. Complementarity: Fostering partnerships between the government, private sector, and civil society to implement complementary initiatives across sectors such as infrastructure, education, and health, while prioritizing cross-sectoral programs with the same goal. Business Environment: Streamlining business regulations to reduce administrative barriers, enhance investor protections, and enforce property rights, while improving financial sector regulation and expand access to credit for SMEs through microfinance institutions and development banks. Digitization: Expansion of digital government services to improve business registration, licensing, and tax compliance, while creating policies to support tech startups, including incubation programs and tax incentives. Peace and Reconciliation: Fostering social cohesion, reducing conflict, and ensuring equitable resource use support sustainable growth, unite communities, and establish Liberia as a secure, attractive environment for development and investment. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 57 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.1. Strategic Policy 1: Economic Stability and Growth Strategic Objective: Create a resilient economy that fosters sustainable development and improves living standards for all citizens. This includes promoting diversified economic activities, attracting both foreign and domestic investment, and enhancing local entrepreneurship. The AAID aims to implement sound fiscal policies and improve infrastructure to support trade and industry. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen agricultural productivity and natural resource management. By ensuring macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth, the AAID aspires to reduce poverty, create jobs, and enhance overall economic resilience, contributing to a prosperous future for Liberia. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a stabilized and growing economy. Figure 36: Strategic Policy 1 goals by 2029 GDP per capita $1,050. 3 World Bank Findex Debt/GDP 70% 56.4% 52% (2022) GDP $6.5b Gross International $4.7b (2024 proj.) Reserves GDP growth (months of imports) 6.3% 5.9% 4 average 2.3 (2024) Inflation 5% average Source: MFDP 58 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s economy faces challenges from internal imports. Despite a modest average growth rate of mismanagement and external shocks, limiting 3.8 percent in terms of trade over the past decade, sustainable growth. High inflation, severe investment- the volatility presents risks that can destabilize saving gaps, and a weak trade balance hinder private- the economy, particularly as trade is a key growth sector development. Excessive deficit financing and predictor in Africa. reliance on commodity exports create vulnerabilities, Moreover, Liberia’s reliance on official development impacting private investment. Since 2017, assistance (ODA)—which constitutes 28 percent inflation remained in double digits, complicating of GDP, one of the highest rates in the region— macroeconomic management, though recent exacerbates economic vulnerabilities. The declines indicate possible stabilization. Addressing dependency on ODA and the limited revenue base these issues requires a robust policy framework not only impacts fiscal sustainability but also limits the focused on macroeconomic stability, prudent fiscal government’s capacity to formulate and implement management, and sustainable growth to mitigate economic policies that could spur long-term growth. risks and attract private-sector investments. The public debt and GDP ratio is another vital Indicators of economic vulnerability are troubling. concern. With total public debt reaching 55.4 percent Liberia has consistently faced a significant trade of GDP in 2023, effective debt management is critical deficit which peaked at around 22 percent of GDP to any growth strategy. Misallocation of borrowed between 2022 and 2024, not showing a change in the funds, particularly in infrastructure, has undermined pattern. This persistent imbalance underscores the investment returns and perpetuated a cycle of fragility of the country’s macroeconomic condition dependency on external financing. and its susceptibility to external shocks, particularly concerning its terms of trade. To confront some of the financing challenges requires adoption of robust public financial management Another critical issue is the gap between investment reforms in line with best practices that involve and domestic savings, which has fluctuated between streamlining revenues and expenditures. Such 26 percent and 50 percent of GDP over the past decade, measures include reducing tax expenditures; indicating a heavy reliance on external financing harmonizing excise base rates between domestic to support domestic investment. Domestic savings and imported goods; increasing goods and services reduced from 26 percent of GDP in 2013 to 3 percent tax (GST) rates on selected commodities, expanding by 2020, showcasing this vulnerability. Although the tax base; and accelerating preparation for Liberia’s public deficit has averaged 5.3 percent of value-added tax (VAT) implementation. Improving GDP from 2011 to 2021, it reflects a pressing need governance, transparency, and prioritization of high- for sustainable fiscal policies that support growth return projects can enhance the efficiency of public without worsening debt levels. expenditure, thereby significantly boosting economic Domestic private investment continues to be timid. growth. This disparity reveals systemic issues that stifle private- In recent years, Liberia achieved an average GDP sector growth due to low savings and an overreliance growth of 4.7 percent from 2022 to 2023, with on challenging public services. Consequently, projections suggesting acceleration to 5.1 percent without a solid base of domestic savings, Liberia’s in 2024. This positive outlook is supported by data growth trajectory remains precariously dependent on indicating that inflationary pressures are easing faster external capital, which is often unpredictable. than anticipated, while the exchange rate remains The terms of trade have experienced significant stable at L$190 per US dollar. Medium-term prospects fluctuations, highlighting Liberia’s dependence on appear favorable, heavily reliant on the extractive primary commodity exports and manufactured sector, with growth projected to reach 9.2 percent National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 59 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID in 2025 and averaging 8.1 percent over the medium Authorities and IMF estimates). To rebuild reserves term (2025-2029), driven primarily by mining and a to four months of imports by the end of 2029, fiscal recovery in the agriculture sector. consolidation measures and a greater use of the local currency for public salaries will continue to be Significant investments in the iron ore mining implemented. industry are expected to double production in the medium term and triple it by 2030, further stimulating Regrettably, Liberia’s manufacturing sector has economic growth. Additionally, infrastructure seen a significant decline in its contribution to GDP investments aim to enhance electricity generation over the past two decades. Since 2010, its share has and improve domestic production capabilities, remained below 10 percent, compared to 17 to 24 creating positive ripple effects across the economy. percent from 2001 to 2010. This deindustrialization process is characterized by low levels of technology, However, external vulnerabilities have increased due capital investment, and human capital development, to a weakened external position and low international resulting in a labor force concentrated in low- reserve coverage. The current account deficit productivity service sectors. widened to nearly 24.5 percent of GDP in 2023, with gross official reserves falling to US$486 million— equivalent to just 2.1 months of imports (Liberian 60 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 1: Macroeconomic Stability Objective: Create a stable and conducive environment that supports sustainable, inclusive, and diversified economic growth. Macroeconomic policies, encompassing real, fiscal, monetary, and external sector policies, are crucial in shaping the broader economic landscape, fostering productivity, investment, and structural changes in the economy. They help guide the transition from reliance on a few sectors (e.g., natural resources or agriculture) to a more diverse, competitive, and resilient economy capable of generating long-term prosperity. Key targets by 2029:

1. Develop procedures and process to regularly improve macroeconomic data collection and update forecasts

2. Develop the Liberia Economic Geography database and reports

3. De-dollarize the Liberian economic and financial transactions

4. Ensure that average inflation is reduced from 10 percent to 5 percent

5. Increase Gross International Reserves from 2.3 to 4 months of imports Key interventions: ● Strengthening of the macroeconomic framework ● Development of the Liberia economic geography database and reports ● Achievement of a single Liberian dollar currency in line with ECOWAS objective ● Transition to an inflation targeting framework and reducing inflation ● Increasing Gross International Reserves National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 61 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 2: Public Financial Management Objective: Ensure that public resources are managed efficiently, transparently, and in a way that supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth, while maximizing the revenue potential. Effective PFM contributes to economic transformation by improving mobilization and allocation of public resources, ensuring fiscal discipline, and promoting accountability, which collectively foster a stable macroeconomic environment conducive to growth, investment, and poverty reduction. Key targets by 2029:

1. Develop the PPP policy and legal framework

2. Develop a corporate governance policy and legal framework for SOEs

3. Develop the Green Financing Strategic Plan

4. Align the State Budget execution to NDP implementation

5. Ensure alignment between budget’s financial and physical execution

6. Increase domestic revenues by 25%

7. Rationalize the productive sector taxes

8. Establish the Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank Key interventions: ● Development of PPP policy and legal framework ● Strengthening the SOE governance and legal framework ● Implementation of program-based budgeting ● Development and implementation of Green Financing Strategic Plan ● Improvement of public expenditure management system and process ● Increasing domestic resource mobilization ● Rationalization of the productive sector tax eco-system ● Establishment of Agriculture Enterprise Development Bank PROGRAM 3: Planning Instruments and Statistical Products Objective: Provide accurate, comprehensive, and timely information that guides policymaking, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making, ensuring that economic development is both sustainable and inclusive. These tools will help the government to design, implement, and monitor economic policies that foster structural transformation, enhance productivity, and improve living standards. 62 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Key targets by 2029:

1. Develop an integrated planning reporting information system

2. Develop planning legal framework 3. 20 statistical products widely available

4. Strengthen the capacity of 1,500 statistical system related personnel Key interventions: ● Implement an integrated planning information management system ● Development and implementation of the development planning legal framework ● Improvement of statistical data collection and accessibility ● Strengthening of the institutional capacity of the national statistical systems ● Development of a national human resource capacity development strategy ● Development and implementation of the development planning legal framework ● Improvement of statistical data collection and accessibility PROGRAM 4: Financial Inclusion Objective: Create a more equitable financial landscape and enhance the economic well-being of individuals and communities. Financial inclusion encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at providing individuals and businesses with access to useful and affordable financial products and services. This is vital to allow for active participation of individuals and communities in the development process. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase the number of the adult population having bank accounts and access to basic financial services to 70%

2. Increase Commercial Bank Branches and networks per 100,000 adults to 12

3. Increase coverage of the population using Mobile Money to 75-80%

4. Increase lending to housing by 20%

5. Increase the number of ATMs to 6-8 per 100,000 adults

6. Increase the issuance of partial credit guarantees to housing, agribusiness and mining by 20% Key interventions: ● Increasing the number of the adult population having bank accounts and access to basic financial services ● Increasing commercial bank branches and networks per 100,000 adults ● Increasing the number of mobile money users ● Increasing number of ATMS users per 100,000 adults ● Increasing lending to housing projects ● Providing partial credit guarantees for housing, agribusiness and mining projects National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 63 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.2. Strategic Policy 2: Labor and Employment Strategic Objective: Contribute to creation of an inclusive labor market which is capable of driving economic growth by increasing access to decent and productive employment opportunities, fostering skills development, enhancing labor market governance, and promoting entrepreneurship, especially for women, youth, and vulnerable groups. These elements collectively contribute to improving the quality of life for all people in Liberia. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a vibrant and growing labor market. Figure 37: Strategic Policy 2 goals by 2029 Youth Unemployment 1.6% of total labor Employment in force, 15-24 yrs Employers services 47% 2% % of total 52.39% (2022) Unemployment employment 5.0% of total labor force Employment Informal jobs in agriculture 70% 43% 87% (2024) Employment in 42 % (2024) industry 11% 8.33% (2022) Source: MFDP 64 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The country faces a significant deficit in productive attainment compared to men withsubstantial rural- employment opportunities, in the wake of a youthful urban disparities in education and skills acquisition population— young people aged 15 -24 years which also compound employment generation. Youth constitute 23.6 percent of the population (LPHC, unemployment is particularly alarming, with around 2022). This demographic challenge necessitates that 19.0 percent of young Liberians neither working nor the economy not only creates jobs for the growing in school, disproportionately affecting women. These labor force but also enhances productivity and income young individuals often encounter barriers to entering for the existing working poor. An estimated three- the labor market, including a lack of skills and limited quarters of adults participate in the labor force, yet job availability. unemployment is prevalent particularly among urban Employment conditions are not conducive, with many youth. Monrovia, the capital, hosts about half of the workers earning the minimum wage of $0.85 per hour, unemployed population. which is currently under review. The official workweek The 14 years of conflict caused a significant shift from is 40 hours, yet many Liberians work significantly longer rural to urban living, with many migrants ending up in hours, resulting in a “vicious cycle” of low pay and low informal employment or unemployment. The rural labor productivity, primarily in the informal sector. market includes daily wage workers on plantations, The 2022 Liberia Population and Housing Census particularly in rubber, but declining global prices have (LPHC, 2022) indicates the existence of child labor in negatively affected their livelihoods. Both urban and Liberia, and this affects the holistic development of rural labor markets are characterized by informality, the children. Secondary data on child labor puts the with approximately 87 percent of citizens engaged number of working children around 300,000 aged 5-14 in informal employment, including subsistence years. Additionally, 14.8 percent of young people aged agriculture. Although agriculture remains a primary 15-24 years were engaged in salary/wage employment source of employment, its share of total employment (LPHC, 2022). These young people are more driven by constituted 42.0 percent at the end of 2023 (AfDB, looking for livelihood for themselves and their families African Economic Outlook, 2024). Productivity is low, due to the breakdown of the education system mainly and many rural workers rely on subsistence farming, because of the war. Existing social safety nets, such as and the occurrence of significant urban migration, has the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation resulted into precarious employment conditions in (NASSCORP), have limited coverage and low benefit cities. payments, failing to adequately support vulnerable As mentioned above, informality dominates both populations. urban and rural labor markets with the percentage Generally, labor markets and employment conditions of the workforce outside of the formal employment in Liberia as is summarized in Table 3 indicate serious system nationally being estimated at 87 percent, underlying socioeconomic and welfare issues. The restricting access to formal wage employment primarily government’s efforts are geared at creating a favorable to those with higher education. Unfortunately, environment for economic growth with a focus on nearly 45.0 percent of the working population has improving job creation, formalization of businesses, never completed primary school, and less than 15.0 skills training, increasing productivity, and fostering percent have completed secondary education. The inclusive employment opportunities to build a destruction of educational infrastructure during sustainable future for all Liberians. the conflict has severely limited opportunities for skills development, especially in rural areas. Women face additional challenges, with lower educational National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 65 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Table 3: Status of the labor market outcomes Indicator Male (%) Female (%) Total (%) Proportion of informal employment in total employment 82.6 92.6 87.6 Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities 11.6 13.6 12.6 Proportion of youth (aged 15–24 years) not in education, 41.2 47.2 44.2 employment or training Source: LISGIS & MOL 2024. Liberia Labor Force Survey Results. 66 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 5: Decent Jobs Environment Objective: Promote sustainable economic growth which can create inclusive employment. It aims to enhance job quality, ensure fair wages, and improve working conditions. This initiative seeks to empower citizens, reduce poverty, and foster social stability, ultimately contributing to a resilient economy and community development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Improve job creation environment

2. Improve workforce planning Key interventions: ● Implementation of the Decent Work Act ● Formulation of Human Capacity Development Strategy National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 67 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.3. Strategic Policy 3: Commerce and Industry Strategic Objective: Foster industrial development, and expand domestic and regional trade through diversification, modernization, and competitiveness of the economy, as well as promoting entrepreneurship. The key to unlock economic growth potential is development of entrepreneurs, supported by diversification of the economy with particular attention to agriculture value chain, manufacturing and tourism. These three sectors play key roles in creating jobs, increasing productivity, and boosting exports, all of which are essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a vibrant private sector driven commercial and industrial sector. Figure 38: Strategic Policy 3 goals by 2029 Services 37.6% of GDP Credit to private sector Trade deficit 20.1% 12.5% of GDP of GDP Manufacturing 5.9% Global of GDP Competitiveness Formalizaed Index Jobs 130/137 30% 134/137 20% (2024) (2018) net FDI flows $563m $477m (2024) Source: MFDP 68 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The private sector plays a pivotal role in Liberia’s assembly of imported components, with minimal development, offering significant potential to processing of local raw materials. This lack of value transform the nation’s economic landscape. addition is particularly evident in the rubber and wood Strengthening this sector can attract domestic and industries, where Liberia has comparative advantage. foreign investment, stimulate job creation, and foster The primary outputs from the manufacturing sector the emergence of a robust middle class. However, are bottled water and beverages, highlighting to fully harness these opportunities, it is crucial the narrow scope of production and employment to address the challenges facing sectors such as opportunities. agriculture, which suffers from inadequate inputs and The challenges facing Liberia’s industrial development low capacity. By enhancing productivity in agriculture, include inadequate infrastructure, including road Liberia can bolster economic resilience and reduce networks, electricity, and technology, and limited dependency on food imports. utilities, which restrict manufacturing activities Currently, Liberia’s agricultural value chain is predominantly to Monrovia. This concentration not underdeveloped, which limits the potential for only hampers growth but also exposes the economy farmers to maximize their output and income. Most to vulnerabilities from external shocks. Therefore, agricultural activities are subsistence-based, with identifying new growth drivers is essential. The about 30 percent of households relying on agriculture unprocessed export of resources should cease, and for their livelihoods. This sector contributes value addition should be promoted to ensure local approximately 28.6 percent to GDP, but its potential economic benefits. remains largely untapped. Therefore, involving Creating a conducive business environment is the private sector in strengthening agricultural paramount for attracting investments in special practices and the associated value chain could economic zones or industrial parks. Liberia is endowed relieve farmers from downstream activities, allowing with vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds, them to concentrate on production. Private sector- iron ore, and fertile soil, which present significant led technological innovations can further enhance productivity and improve access to markets, which is opportunities for various sectors. Unfortunately, the country operates primarily as an import-driven vital for sustainable economic growth. economy, with most goods consumed being Liberia’s economy has a narrow base, heavily reliant imported. In 2023, imports were estimated at around on a few sectors. Services dominate the GDP, $2 billion, a slight increase from $1.7 billion in 2022. accounting for 38.4 percent, followed by agriculture Key imports included food and beverages (20-30%), and mining, which contribute 28.6 percent and 18.8 fuel (25-30%), machinery and equipment (15-20%), percent, respectively. Manufacturing is notably weak, and consumer goods (10-15%). This heavy reliance on contributing only 6 percent to GDP. The economy is imports for essential goods underscores the need for characterized by a lack of diversification, with few local production capabilities. exports primarily consisting of unprocessed goods The Liberian government has long recognized the such as iron ore, gold, rubber, and timbers. These importance of industrialization for economic growth. goods are extracted and exported by foreign-owned In 1975, the Liberia Industrial Free Zone Authority entities under unfavorable concession agreements to was established to attract foreign direct investment, Liberians, which limits local economic benefits and process goods and promote exports. A free zone was value addition. created near the Freeport of Monrovia to facilitate Manufacturing in Liberia has remained stagnant, with manufacturing and warehousing, aiming to boost an average growth rate of just 0.14 percent over the exports. In 2011, Liberia developed the “Industry past three years. The sector is largely confined to the for Liberia’s Future” policy roadmap, which aimed National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 69 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID to stimulate industrial growth for employment and Although the manufacturing sector’s current sustainable development. This policy acknowledged contributions are limited, its potential for growth that Liberia’s economic growth had historically been and diversification is significant, especially driven by extractive industries with minimal linkages through increased processing of local materials. to the broader economy, resulting in “growth without Industrialization can generate employment, enhance development.” income, promote international trade, improve local resource utilization, and ultimately elevate Under this roadmap, the government committed the standard of living for the Liberian populace. to several key actions to stimulate industrial Addressing the challenges that hinder manufacturing development: analyzing priority sectors for specific growth, improving infrastructure, and implementing support needs, tracking and measuring the impacts supportive policies are crucial steps toward realizing of fiscal incentives on industries, establishing areas this potential. for industrial production such as export processing zones, and promoting domestic industries through Within the service sector, growth over the past decade supportive services. Despite these efforts, the has been driven primarily by public administration manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP remains and defense, which accounted for 37.5 percent of modest. According to LISGIS, manufacturing GDP in 2022. Other contributing sectors include accounted for approximately 5.9 percent of the GDP transportation and communication, as well as trade of about $3.9 billion in 2022, with food and beverages and hospitality. Table 4 highlights key manufacturing making up 40 to 50 percent of this contribution. outputs (2021-2023). Table 4: Key Manufacturing outputs (2021-2023) Items Units 2021 2022 2023 Cement mt 534,993 474,187 500,877 Beverages liter 17,239,963 16,366,299 26,848,331 Paints gal 206,223 233,862 214,355 Candle kg 48,416 44,121 73,763 Bleach liter 829,241 909,282 607,398 Rubbing Alcohol liter 306,268 198,485 374,632 Mattresses pcs 129,454 130,047 128,271 Bottled Water gal 1,120,947,013 1,094,928,382 1,195,903,438 Services w/o electricity kw 272,691,852 275,131,939 469,743,200 Sources: Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MOCI) 70 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 6: Economic diversification and value addition Objective: Enhance the growth of diverse sectors, such as agriculture, low-emissions manufacturing, and technology, to promote local value-added for the domestic and international markets using the economic zones model, thereby driving sustainable growth and generating productive jobs and wealth. Economic diversification and value addition reduce reliance on a single sector, enhance local value chains, create jobs, attract investment, promote sustainable development, and empower communities for inclusive economic growth and resilience. Accomplishing this objective ensures the full utilization of the nation’s resources and improvement in the living standard of the citizens. Key targets by 2029:

1. Establish 4 incubators

2. Increase business development services to entrepreneurs by 30%

3. Increase exports by 20%

4. Increase capacity-building initiatives in manufacturing and market access by 30%

5. Establish and operationalize two logistic centers with a focus on agribusiness

6. Establish and operationalize at least two additional special economic zones, with focus on agribusiness and manufacturing

7. Increase by 50% the formalization of commerce and industrial activities

8. Increase FDI by 50%, especially in agribusiness, tourism and mining sectors Key interventions: ● Establishment of incubators focused on emerging industries to build the startup society and encourage youth participation in the value chain segments ● Improvement of inclusive business development services for entrepreneurs focusing on youth and women ● Implementation of trade agreements and partnerships with regional, continental, and global markets to secure market access for Liberian value-added products. ● Provision of training for local producers on international quality standards, packaging, green production techniques, and certification to help them meet export requirements ● Supporting investment in shared processing facilities and infrastructure, such as logistic centers with cold storage and packaging units ● Supporting the operationalization of industrial parks and special economic zones by providing basic infrastructure and needed services for low-emissions industrialization ● Formalization of commerce and industrial activities ● Attraction of FDI for priority sectors, especially for agribusiness, tourism and mining ● Supporting franchising investment in priority areas through the Diaspora, especially in agribusiness, mining, and tourism National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 71 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 7: Business Enabling Environment Objective: Reform and modernize business and regulatory frameworks to create a transparent, predictable, and supportive environment for businesses and investors, enhancing overall economic efficiency and competitiveness. A business-enabling environment aims to attract investment, promote entrepreneurship, enhance competitiveness, facilitate trade, build resilience, encourage sustainable practices, and empower communities for sustainable economic growth and improved living standard of citizens. Accomplishing this objective ensures increased household and national income and sustained development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Implement a business regulatory reform.

2. Strengthen the institutional capacity with training of at least 50 officials.

3. Decrease the time to establish a company to 24 hours

4. Implement the national intellectual property ecosystem

5. Increase inclusive micro finance support to Liberian owned businesses by 30%

6. Rationalize and develop investment and re-investment incentives Key interventions: ● Implementation of business regulatory reforms, especially in the mining and lottery sectors ● Strengthening of institutional capacity in business practices and digital compliance tools ● Expansion and modernization of One Stop Shop business registry ● Development of a robust national intellectual property ecosystem ● Support to inclusive MSME credit and insurance products to Liberian-owned businesses, especially for youth and women focusing on agribusiness, tourism and mining ● Development of investment and re-investment incentives in priority sector, especially agribusiness, mining and tourism ● Improvement of accreditation and certification system and facilities ● Implementation of AfCFTA signed legal instruments and best practices 72 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.4. Strategic Policy 4: Agriculture and Fisheries Strategic Objective: Leverage the sector to drive growth through private sector resilience and determination, enhance livelihoods, and promote sustainable development. Prioritizing food security, employment creation, and value addition, agriculture can play a pivotal role in transforming economies and improving the well- being of populations. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a vibrant agriculture and fisheries sector. Figure 39: Strategic Policy 4 goals by 2029 Agriculture & Fisheries growth 7% average Output Locally produced eggs (metric tons) 100% 630,000 of consumption of food and cash Agriculture & Fisheries crops per year 29.8% of GDP Formalized fishers' Global Hunger and agricultural cooperatives Index 150 110/127 10 (2024) 120/127 (2024) Output (metric tons) 35,000 of fish per year Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 73 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Agriculture is the mainstay of Liberia’s economy, The state of food security in Liberia is concerning. providing livelihoods for approximately two-thirds According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), of the population (World Bank, 2021). The sector Liberia ranks 120th out of 127 countries with a accounts for about 28.6 percent of Liberia’s GDP in score of 32.2, indicating a serious level of hunger. 2023 (CBL Annual Report, 2023). Most agricultural The World Food Program’s 2023 Annual Country activities in Liberia are conducted by smallholder Report highlights that a rapid Comprehensive Food subsistence farmers, particularly in rural communities, Security and Nutrition Survey conducted in 2022 where food crops are primarily grown. These farmers found that approximately 47 percent of Liberian typically operate on small plots of land, averaging households are food insecure, with rural areas being less than 2 hectares, and rely on rainfed agriculture disproportionately affected (54 percent of rural and traditional farming methods. Unfortunately, this households face food insecurity compared to 40 renders them highly vulnerable to climate change percent in urban areas). impacts, significantly affecting their productivity and Despite its challenges, Liberia possesses vast food security. agricultural potential. The country benefits from a The role of women in agriculture is significant, with favorable climate, rich soil, abundant water resources, many smallholder farmers being female. Despite their and approximately 4 million acres of arable land, contributions, the productivity of these women is often which represents about 5.19 percent of its total land low, leading to challenges in meeting household food area. The diverse agroecological zones are ideal for needs throughout the year. In contrast to subsistence cultivating a wide variety of crops and livestock. farming, Liberia’s agricultural landscape also includes However, the country faces a paradox, as it imported foreign and Liberian-owned plantations that focus nearly 80 percent of the rice consumed in 2022 at a on cash crops such as rubber, coffee, cocoa, and oil cost of $124 million, alongside significant imports of palm, primarily for export. These plantations are frozen foods. typically commercial entities, benefiting from better The fisheries sector is another critical component of farm management practices and higher productivity compared to subsistence farmers. Liberia’s agricultural landscape, providing a primary source of animal protein for the population. Liberia According to the National Oil Pam Strategy (2021- is endowed with substantial inland and marine water 2025), among cash crops, oil palm is particularly resources, including numerous rivers and a coastline vital to Liberia’s economy, occupying over 1 million that stretches over 680 kilometers. The coastal hectares and involving about 21 percent of farming regions are some of the richest fishing grounds households. The sector employs over 220,000 globally, significantly contributing to livelihoods, individuals and generates substantial foreign nutrition, and the overall economy. Fisheries account exchange. The production of oil palm has seen a for approximately 10 percent of Liberia’s GDP and remarkable increase, from 18,104 metric tons in 2018 employ around 33,000 people full-time, with many to 22,265 metric tons in 2019, positioning Liberia as more engaged part-time. a significant player in West Africa’s oil palm industry. Liberian fisheries encompass three main components: Also, livestock production is relatively limited, marine fisheries (industrial and artisanal), inland primarily consisting of backyard rearing of chickens, fisheries (primarily artisanal), and aquaculture. goats, sheep, and pigs. This production method Artisanal and semi-artisanal coastal fisheries dominate yields low output, contributing to a deficit of meat the sector, accounting for about 86 percent of total in the local diet. To supplement their protein intake, fisheries output. According to the National Fisheries Liberians often resort to hunting wildlife for bushmeat and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), artisanal fisheries or fishing. yielded 18,086 metric tons of fish in 2020, while 74 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID industrial trawlers caught only 5,113 metric tons in Liberia’s youthful and dynamic population presents an Liberian waters. opportunity for agricultural development. However, attracting youth to the agricultural sector remains The coastal and freshwater ecosystems serve as a challenge due to perceptions of farming as a low- breeding grounds for various marine species, income, labor-intensive endeavor. Nevertheless, the including crab, lobster, shrimp, tilapia, tuna, shark, agriculture sector holds significant potential to help and barracuda. However, Liberia lacks a developed Liberia achieve its Vision 2030 Goals by stimulating commercial fishing sector and established domestic economic growth and development. fish processing plants. Most fish are sold informally in local markets, while high-grade fish and aquatic In light of these challenges and opportunities, the products are often harvested by foreign trawlers for government of Liberia has articulated a strategic export. initiative known as the Liberians Feed Yourselves Agenda (NADP), which aims to transform agriculture through a comprehensive development plan. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 75 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 8: Food and Cash Crop Production Objective: Enhancing food security, promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring sustainable practices. Improving productivity and resilience in this sector, Liberia can achieve significant economic transformation and improve the livelihoods of its population. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase local seeds production by 30%

2. Decrease imports of food crops by 30% in which Liberia has comparative advantage

3. Decrease imports of agricultural processed products by 30% in which Liberia has comparative advantage

4. Formalize and capacitate additional 100 farmers cooperatives with climate resilient and ecological practices in agriculture, energy and alternative livelihood Key interventions: ● Supporting the increase of food crop production ● Supporting the increase of cash crop production ● Supporting inclusive agricultural food and non-food value chains ● Promotion of climate smart agriculture and irrigation ● Strengthening of research and development in agriculture ● Implementation of home-grown feeding projects ● Formalization of farmers cooperatives ● Enhancing agriculture extension capacity and service delivery ● Supporting the creation of mechanization hubs in production clusters for both production and post-harvest handling 76 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 9: Livestock and Poultry Production Objective: Increase the production and productivity of livestock and poultry, thereby boosting local economies, providing employment opportunities, and ensuring a stable supply of protein-rich foods. This program aims at enhancing food security through livestock and poultry production, improving livelihoods, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, as well as focusing on building resilient farming systems that can withstand environmental challenges. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Increase national veterinary ● Supporting the increase of livestock service delivery by 30% production

2. Increase local production ● Supporting the increase of poultry meat (blending) of animal feed production by 30% ● Supporting the increase of egg production

3. Produce 450,000 tons of ● Supporting animal feed production poultry meat ● Strengthening the national veterinarian

4. Produce 40 million carts of service delivery system eggs PROGRAM 10: Fish Production Objective: Harness the potential of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, ensure food security, and promote environmental sustainability. Fish production can play a vital role in the development of local economies, especially in coastal and inland communities, and contribute to national economic transformation. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Decrease imports of fish ● Supporting the increase of sustainable fish products by 30%. captures

2. Implement blue economy ● Supporting the development of aquaculture initiatives. ● Supporting the development of the blue

3. Formalize additional 50 economy cooperatives of fishing ● Supporting salt production operators. ● Supporting the establishment of commercial

4. Produce 500 tons of salt per fish processing year. ● Formalization of the informal operators into cooperatives ● Reducing threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 77 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.5. Strategic Policy 5: Mineral Resource Management Strategic Objective: Promote sustainable economic growth, attract foreign investment, and create jobs, while ensuring environmental sustainability and community engagement. Effective and climate smart management of mineral resources, such as gold, diamonds, and iron ore, can enhance revenue generation, support infrastructure development, and foster local industry through value addition, which are essential for long-term development goals. By optimizing resource management, Liberia can strengthen its economy and improve the livelihoods of its citizens. Significant outcomes shall be derived from the effective and efficient management of the nation’s mineral resource. Figure 40: Strategic Policy 5 goals by 2029 Mining growth 8.1% average Exports Exports 18% 93% of total exports of GDP Mining 93% (2023) 20.4% of GDP Formalized cooperatives EITI Score 15 80/100 0 (2024) 75/100 (2023) Output (metric tons) 6,000,000 per year Source: MFDP 78 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia is endowed with a wealth of mineral resources, sector has different categories of mining activities, including iron ore, gold, diamonds, and bauxite. including artisanal/small-scale miners (ASM), medium The mining sector plays a significant role in the size domestic enterprises, large-scale mining, and country’s economy, contributing to government exploration companies. revenues, foreign direct investment, and employment There were approximately 1,293 mining operations opportunities. However, the effective management in the country before the inception of the last of these resources has been challenging due to Government, of which 1,142 (88.3%) were ASM, 65 historical, social, and economic factors. (5%) were medium size, 78 (6%) were exploration The management of natural resources comes with companies, and 8 (0.6%) were large-scale enterprises. risks as well as opportunities. There are opportunities Among the large-scale companies, the main producers to use the natural endowments to attract investment were Arcelor Mittal (iron ore), China Union Investment and promote greater economic development and (iron ore), MNG Gold Inc. (gold), and Aureus Mining risks of political and social instability caused by the Inc. (gold). Table 5 lists the major mining companies mismanagement of natural resources. Mining has that were operating under Mineral Development been one of Liberia’s major sources of real GDP. The Agreements (MDA). Table 5: Mineral production in Liberia Mining Estimated Mine/company MDA Production Type of Mineral Ore Grade Method reserves Nimba Range/AML 2005; 5.1 Mt ore Iron ore; Hematite, 65-69% Fe Open pit 417Mt. 25years Magnetite Bong Mines/China 2009; 25 0.70 Mt ore Iron ore; Magnetite 35-45% Fe Open pit 290Mt. Union years Putu Range/PIOM 2010; 25 Mine Iron ore; itabirite, 45% Fe Open pit 4.5Bt. years development goethite Bomi, Bea, Mano/WCL 2011; 25 Mine Iron ore; hematite, 51% Fe Open pit 563Mt. years development magnetite Kokoya/MNG 2004; 25 619.48 Koz Au Gold 3.54% g/t Au Open pit 1.84Mt. years Bea Mt./Aureus 2002; 25 2376.45 Koz Au Greenstone gold 4.17 g/t Au Open pit 8.7Mt. years Source: Ministry of Mining and Energy. Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) in Liberia these gaps, ensure equitable resource distribution, drive economic growth through revenue generation, strengthen environmental safeguards, and align job creation, and foreign investment while fostering agreements with Liberia’s development priorities. infrastructure and skills development. However, there In attracting foreign investment, issues such are many challenges such as insufficient revenue as corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and capture, limited community benefits, environmental environmental degradation continue to pose harm, and governance weaknesses. Poorly negotiated significant hurdles. Other challenges include limited terms often favor investors, reducing public revenue capacity by Liberian institutions to implement mining and transparency. Revising MDAs is critical to address National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 79 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID laws, limited benefits to the communities around government, private sector, and local communities the mining areas which causes tensions, limited will be crucial for realizing the potential benefits of enforcement and compliance to environmental Liberia’s mineral wealth. In addition, UNDP’s DoD standards by the companies, limited mineral study of 2024 shows that it is possible for Liberia to beneficiation, limited transparency in licensing and develop its mineral processing capabilities particularly regulation among others. in iron ore, diamonds, and gold and minimize on the exportation of raw materials. To produce these Effective mineral resources management in Liberia outcomes, government will mobilize significant requires a comprehensive approach that addresses resources from all sources including the Diaspora regulatory weaknesses, environmental sustainability, community, multinational corporations among community engagement, and economic others. Low hanging fruits lie in the mobilization of diversification. Strengthening institutions, enhancing the small artisanal miners whose livelihoods depends transparency, and fostering partnerships between the on rudimentary mining. 80 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 11: Extractive Industry Objective: Leverage the extraction of natural resources to drive sustainable economic growth, create jobs, and contribute to national development, while ensuring environmental sustainability and community well-being. Mining can play a critical role in transforming economies, particularly in resource-rich countries, but it requires responsible management to maximize benefits and minimize negative impacts. Key targets by 2029:

1. Formalize 15 artisanal and small-scale mining operators into cooperatives

2. Update Liberia Mineral Resource Geological and geo-physical Maps

3. Issue 20 new exploration licenses in the upstream oil and gas sector

4. Increase FDI in all segments of the mining value chain by at least 10 percent

5. Revise the Mineral Development Agreement mechanism Key interventions: ● Formalization of artisanal & small-scale mining production ● Development of mineral resource geological and geo-physical maps ● Support to climate responsive mineral production and value chains ● Improvement of mining business environment ● Improvement of gender and safeguarding frameworks and environment social impact processes for concession communities ● Expansion and modernization of oil and gas storage ● Strengthen local capacity in upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas development ● Revision of MDA mechanism from royalty-based model to production sharing model National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 81 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.1.6. Strategic Policy 6: Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy Strategic Objective: Leverage the country’s rich cultural, ecological and natural resources heritage to promote sustainable economic growth. This includes developing tourism infrastructure that enhances cultural and ecological assets and supporting local artists and creative industries. The AAID aims to create job opportunities, diversify the economy, and attract both domestic and international visitors. Additionally, it seeks to preserve and promote the nation’s cultural identity while fostering community engagement and participation. By integrating tourism and cultural initiatives, the AAID aspires to boost economic resilience and enhance the overall quality of life for Liberians. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a vibrant private sector driven tourism, culture and creative economy. Figure 41: Strategic Policy 6 goals by 2029 Accommodation 150 130 (2014) Share in total exports 18% Tourism and Culture 15% of GDP T&T Share in total Competitiveness revenue Index 20% 135/140 (2024) 138/140 (2019) Employment 200,000 195,000 (2010) Source: MFDP 82 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Economic diversification is crucial for Liberia to reduce particular product (from the overall package price reliance on mining and agriculture. The services sector paid in the source market, including the retailer profit presents significant investment opportunities, in and overheads, air fares, travel insurance and other renewable energy, transport and logistics, and tourism items unrelated to in-country expenses. and the creative economy, which can provide diverse Based on the value chain in figure 42 and taking into employment opportunities, especially for women and perspective the local conditions, the various nodes of youths. Tourism drives socioeconomic development, the value chain guided the selection of the relevant and it has deep interlinkages with domestic activities programs which are driving the AAID’s interventions in agriculture, transport, accommodation, arts, crafts, geared towards tapping the low-hanging fruits culture and the orange (creative) economy. The that may exist in the short to medium term. A brief sector is labor-intensive, fosters SMEs growth, and is overview of the various nodes of the value chain expected to continue expanding, with international reveals existing opportunities and challenges: tourist arrivals projected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030. Addressing capacity building in the hospitality sector ● Pre-Visit Stage: The pre-visit services involve is urgent. In short, strengthening these institutions activities deliberately undertaken by a and expanding training opportunities is essential for government to provide information on the enhancing the sector’s workforce quality, meeting tourism offerings of the country. The major industry demands and fostering economic growth constraints in providing pre-visit services lie in through skilled labor (DoD Study, UNDP, 2024). the negative news about the country and the region where the country is based as well as visa There has been a shift towards emerging economies and travel restrictions and how swiftly they can as tourism destinations, with their market share be complied with by potential tourists. expected to surpass that of advanced economies in ● The International Transport services: The the future. This shift presents an opportunity for Liberia international transport services and their to position itself as a desirable tourist’s destination. dynamics may constrain or enhance smoothen Fundamentally, Liberia offers several nature-based the tourist inflow in the country. The ease of tourist attractions to the world, including natural International and regional connectivity in terms resources and biodiversity (pristine beaches, national of air travel is critical in boosting tourism. Direct parks supporting diverse wildlife, rainforests and flights from major European Union markets waterfalls) and cultural heritage (historical sites, to Monrovia are absent, with most flights indigenous cultures, festivals and events) among being diverted through Freetown. The overall others. frequency of flights to Liberia, including those Using the value chain approach, it is observed that the connecting within Africa, remains notably low. tourism sector is multifaceted and supports several ● Information and reception services: The first backward and forward linkages involving many point of entry and experience by the tourists direct and indirect actors. The impact, especially of is at the point of arrival or entry. This involves international visitors starts from outside a destination ground handling services, the immigration all the way through the final destination in Liberia. processes, information sharing and processing The primary market providers (tourism operators) of information at the airports. In addition, the are critical in generating demand in the secondary tourists need to feel secure as soon as they market by virtue of their actions, which is to channel arrive in the country and handled with courtesy. consumers (tourists) to their destination. Each tourism With inadequate tourism training institutions product is therefore a packaging of sub-products in Liberia, the country is short on skills and from multiple value chains. Therefore, a ‘pure’ value competences to support the handling of tourists chain analysis looks at the end-to-end expense of a on arrival and during their stay in the country. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 83 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID ● Local Transport Services: The transportation competencies in handling tourists, inadequate infrastructure connecting Monrovia with other lodging facilities, inadequately developed regions is notably inadequate, necessitating banking facilities in the face of increased digital consideration of alternative transportation payments. methods such as helicopter, seaplanes or ferry ● Excursion: This centers around activities that boat services, alongside enhancements to road enhance tourists’ experiences usually conducted infrastructure. through guided trips or tours, lasting from a ● Hospitality Services: Hospitality services in few hours to a full day. The excursions could tourism development constitute the businesses be nature-based (national parks, eco-systems), that provide welcoming and accommodating cultural-based (museums, historical sites) etc. experiences for travelers, tourists, and There is a need for building adequate skills and customers. The major constraints that require competences to provide services to the tourists handling include the inadequate skills and at the excursion stage. Figure 42: Tourism development value chain Source: MFDP Liberia faces both opportunities and challenges in and cultural heritage. Culture and creative economy reviving its tourism industry. Learning from successful are essential for promoting sustainable economic post-conflict destinations like Rwanda, Cambodia, growth, preserving cultural heritage, and stimulating Vietnam, and Sierra Leone can provide valuable innovation. This sector would not only contribute models. Sierra Leone has transformed its image significantly to economic diversification but also will to attract eco-tourism and cultural experiences, enhance national identity and cultural pride. Through showcasing recovery and resilience. To build its this, the nation can leverage its unique cultural assets own tourism niche, Liberia will develop its tourism to attract tourism, generate employment, and open value chain and adopt visionary approaches for new markets for cultural products both domestically long-term growth, focusing on its natural beauty and internationally. 84 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 12: Tourism Development, Branding and Marketing Objective: Establish Liberia as a premier travel destination by promoting its unique attractions and cultural heritage. This involves creating a competitive tourism industry promoted by cohesive branding strategy that showcase the country’s natural beauty, historical sites, and vibrant culture. With this in mind, the AAID aims to improve tourism infrastructure, enhance touristic services, and develop targeted marketing campaigns to attract both local and international tourists. By fostering partnerships with stakeholders and promoting sustainable tourism practices, the AAID seeks to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance community engagement while preserving Liberia’s cultural identity. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Brand and commercialize ● Establishment of a Tourism Authority Liberian touristic destinations ● Branding and marketing of Liberian tourism,

2. Develop 15 eco-tourism sites with focus on nature and culture tourism across the country ● Development of touristic products and sites

3. Establish and capacitate the ● Improvement of coordination and tourism Tourism Authority value chain development

4. Increase international tourists’ ● Tourism stakeholders’ capacity building arrivals by 10% ● Improvement of the provision of statistical

5. Increase domestic tourism trips and other information in the sector by 10% ● Improvement of the investment climate for

6. Develop the Liberia tourism the sector website with trip journeys ● Supporting hotels in improving on-the-job training programs PROGRAM 13: Culture and Creative Economy Objective: Harness the potential of arts, culture, and creativity as drivers of economic growth and social development. This includes supporting local artists, craftsmen, and cultural industries through funding, training, and infrastructure development. The AAID aims to promote cultural heritage and creative expression while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. By integrating cultural initiatives into broader economic strategies, the AAID seeks to create jobs, enhance community identity, and attract tourism, ultimately contributing to a vibrant and sustainable economy that celebrates Liberia’s rich cultural diversity. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Increase visits to cultural sites by 30% ● Promotion of cultural heritage

2. Organize 5 creative economy trade ● Development of the creative economy fairs with private sector ● Support financing for creative economy

3. Increase financing for creative operators economy operators by 20% National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 85 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2. PILLAR 2: INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT Strategic Goal: Develop modern, reliable, inclusive and climate resilient infrastructure to support sustainable socio-economic development. The Infrastructural Development pillar focuses largely on the developments and programs in transport, seaports, energy and electricity and ICT infrastructure as well as housing. The Infrastructural Development pillar priorities creating resilient and accessible transport, seaports, water, electricity and ICT infrastructure as well as housing that promotes economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability across Liberia. 86 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The World Bank highlights that investing in sustainable infrastructure fosters economic growth, connects communities to opportunities, and addresses climate change through renewable energy and digital solutions. Effective and reliable infrastructure is a critical enabler of socio- economic development. Conversely, Liberia’s infrastructure is generally undeveloped, a condition that affects progress in all aspects of social and economic development, including business, agriculture, healthcare delivery, access to education, and the daily livelihood needs of the population, especially those in rural communities. According to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index (2020), with a score of 43.2 (below the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 50.7), Liberia ranks 175 out of 190 countries in terms of ease of doing business. This is partially due to its inadequate infrastructure, particularly access to road network and electricity. This is primarily driven by low levels of investment in infrastructure, with estimates indicating that only 2.2 percent of Liberia’s GDP is invested in infrastructure. This is significantly lower than the African average of 4.7 percent. Furthermore, the country’s infrastructure is also affected by its geography, where access to many areas is hindered by poor road conditions coupled with limited transportation infrastructure”. County consultations for the AAID and County Development Agendas revealed that inadequate roads, limited electricity, and poor telecommunications hinder local development across Liberia’s 15 counties. Citizens highlighted bad roads as a major barrier to accessing markets, thus, prioritizing road infrastructure improvement. A 2010 infrastructure assessment noted Liberia’s lack of a complete national infrastructure. On the other hand, some progress has been achieved through international support and investments, improving electricity access, expanding paved roads, and advancing digital transformation. Table 6 presents selected infrastructure Table 6: Selected infrastructure service access in Liberia Key Infrastructure Previous 2022-2024 Source Energy (Electricity) 24.2% 2017) 31.8% (2022) World Bank Transportation (Paved Roads) 745 km (2017) 1,275 of 11,422 MPW/GAC NFR Audit 2022 Technology (Internet Access) - 46% of popn. (2022) LTA (www.ltalr.org) Technology (Mobile Phone Coverage) - 84% of popn. (2022) LTA (www.ltalr.org) Access to Safe Drinking Water 59.8% (2008) 69.3% of HH (2022) NPHS 2022 Access to Flush Toilet 13.5% (2008) 40% of HH (2022 NPHS 2022 Despite progress, Liberia continues to face significant infrastructure deficits, with over 88 percent of its road network is unpaved and electricity access is only 2 percent. Internet access remains limited, primarily in urban areas. The international airport requires upgrades, and domestic airports, once vibrant, are now in disrepair and underutilized. Recognizing infrastructure as crucial for inclusive economic growth and improved livelihoods, the AAID aims to reduce these deficits. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 87 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 2: Infrastructure Development and Development Filters To implement programs successfully under the infrastructure pillar, a holistic, inclusive approach will be adopted, guided by key development filters: Youth and Children: Expand access to inclusive, safe, and quality educational and recreational spaces. Prioritize child-friendly designs that promote learning, physical well-being, and community engagement. Gender: Strengthen safeguarding policies to promote women’s economic participation and leadership and build essential business infrastructure, such as marketplaces, that empower and support women and girls. Vulnerable Groups: Design and construct spaces that are safe and accessible to all, especially vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities. Employ inclusive design standards and construction practices to enhance usability across public and private infrastructure. Employment: Increase women’s participation in the infrastructure sector by implementing fair recruitment and training practices, providing targeted skills training, and developing worker protections. Promote policies that protect and uphold workers’ rights, safety, and dignity. Formalization: Facilitate seamless registration and licensing for businesses, especially for small and informal enterprises. Climate Change: Prioritize investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and adaptive measures that address gendered impacts of climate change, particularly for communities reliant on local ecosystems and natural resources. Complementarity: Promote strong partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society to implement cross-sectoral programs. Align initiatives across infrastructure, energy, water, hygiene, and other public services, focusing on shared goals that promote inclusivity and sustainability. Business Environment: Build an inclusive, secure, and transparent business environment. Enhance protections for local and international businesses, with access to financial resources, workforce support, transport, consulting, and other essential services. Ensure the business climate supports the Liberianization policy and empower local enterprises Digitization: Improve planning and management through data analysis, increasing project efficiency, facilitating public engagement and transparency, attracting investment, and fostering innovation. Peace and Reconciliation: In fostering social cohesion, reducing conflict, and ensuring equitable resource use, peacebuilding supports sustainable growth, unites communities, and establishes Liberia as a secure, attractive environment for development and investment 88 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.1. Strategic Policy 7: Roads and Basic Infrastructure Strategic Objective: Develop and modernize essential roads to enhance connectivity, promote economic growth, and improve access to essential services to improve the country’s overall productivity and competitiveness. This includes developing and maintaining a comprehensive network of paved roads to facilitate transportation, support local markets, and enhance trade. Additionally, the plan aims to improve public buildings and facilities to ensure they meet community needs, thereby fostering social development and improving safety increasing overall quality of life. Ultimately, these efforts seek to stimulate investment and support sustainable development across the country. Significant outcomes shall be derived from increased transportation due to a well-developed and maintained road network. Figure 43: Strategic Policy 7 goals by 2029 Increased economic activities by 25% in counties Reduction in Reduction in transportation travel time by costs by 30 % Increased 60% transportation by 15% Rehabilitation & of goods, people and animals Asphalt pavement Expansion of of 1500 km 485 km of the road of primary roads network Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 89 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context According to the Ministry of Public Works, the As a result, large parts of the country are typically cut transport infrastructure of Liberia comprises of 11,422 off from the Capital, Monrovia, and county capitals, kilometers of roads. They include 2,846 kilometers affecting the movement of goods and people, with of primary roads , 1,960 kilometers of secondary consequences for the livelihood of people across the roads, and 6,616 kilometers of feeder roads. While country, especially in the rural areas. roads are the predominant mode of transportation The maintenance of an expanding quality and safe and currently account for over 95 percent of the road network is not only critical for Liberia’s economic movement of passengers and goods, only an growth. It is also key to ensuring that Liberia achieves estimated 1,275 kilometers (11.2 percent) are paved, commitments under UN SDG 2030, especially SDGs up from 745 in 2017/18. According to the World 2 and 9. SDG 2 aims to reduce hunger and poverty Bank (2022), roughly 40 percent of all rural roads by ensuring food security for all. The Government are classified as “inaccessible”, affecting agricultural of Liberia, as a part of its commitment to achieve productivity and local economies. The road network SDG 2, has adopted a strategy to maintain and is not only poor in terms of quality, but also low in rehabilitate existing roads, which also addresses terms of coverage, which is reflected by a road density SDG 9—building a resilient infrastructure, promoting of 10.3 km per 100 km2 of land area, lower than the sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Sub-Saharan Africa average of 10.9 km. Most of the Under current conditions, the road network requires existing bridges and culverts, which were estimated radical interventions to overcome the challenges to average one bridge and three culverts for every 5 of poor road quality, maintenance deficits, and km of road in 2018 and built in the 50s and 60s, lacked seasonal inaccessibility. Accordingly, the government maintenance over the years, have obsolete design life, sustainable improvements in the national road and pose a serious threat to road safety (Atsushi Iimi network as a key priority of the AAID. Working with & Kulwinder Rao, 2018. “Spatial Analysis of Liberia’s development partners and the private sector, the Transport Connectivity and Potential Growth,” World government will undertake critical investments in the Bank Publications). road sector to expand coverage and access, especially While improvements are being made with reference in high-priority zones—areas with considerable to percentage of paved roads, poor road maintenance economic potential and connections to all county practice, driven largely by resource constraints, and a capitals. characteristically long rainy season, limit progress on road pavement and the continuous conditioning of laterite roads to make them passable all year round. 90 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 14: Road Network and Safety Objective: Expand and modernize road infrastructure by undertaking construction of climate-resilient roads, upgrading of roads and bridges, and maintaining the existing stock in order to enhance accessibility and connectivity of rural and urban areas, while strengthening social inclusion. This will involve fostering public-private-partnerships to explore toll systems and enhance road safety to protect lives, ensure the smooth movement of goods and people, and to support national economic growth and social well- being. The focus is on creating safer roads, improving traffic management, and promoting road safety awareness across the country. Key targets by 2029:

1. Pave at least 485 km of primary roads with asphalt

2. Rehabilitate and maintain at least 445.1 km primary road network

3. Expand, rehabilitate and maintain at least 1,090 km of secondary road network

4. Develop, expand, rehabilitate and maintain at least 2,500 km of feeder roads network

5. Upgrade, pave and maintain at least 125 km of urban and community roads

6. Establish 5 Regional Operational Hubs Key interventions: ● Expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance of primary roads ● Expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance of secondary roads ● Expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance of feeder roads ● Establishment of the National Road Authority ● Expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance of urban and community road National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 91 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.2. Strategic Policy 8: Transport and Logistics Strategic Objective: Enhance the efficiency and reliability of the transportation network, facilitating the movement of goods and people. This includes improving road, rail, and port infrastructure to support trade and economic activities. By developing a robust logistics framework, the AAID aims to reduce transportation costs, improve access to markets, and boost regional and international trade. Ultimately, these efforts are intended to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and enhance overall national development. Significant outcomes shall be derived from an efficient and reliable transportation and logistical network. Figure 44: Strategic Policy 8 goals by 2029 Logistics Transport services Performance (% of commercial Index service exports) 3/5 1% 2.4/5 (2022) 0.39% (2022) Source: MFDP 92 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s transport and logistics sector faces numerous resilience, while ensuring that they can handle technical and performance-oriented challenges that the volume of traffic expected; and have been identified over the years, particularly in D. Traffic engineering and management recent analyses undertaken to prepare an updated schemes: Introducing effective traffic National Transport Policy and Strategy and the Multi- engineering and management schemes, Modal Transport Master Plan. These challenges are particularly in urban areas like Monrovia, is critical to address, as they significantly impact the essential. This includes implementing measures country’s development, economy, and the daily lives such as traffic signals, road signs, and designated of its citizens. The transport sector has distilled these lanes that can help regulate traffic flow and challenges into three critical issues that require urgent improve safety. attention. Over-Reliance on Cars: Another major issue is over- Poor Road Safety: One of the foremost challenges in reliance on vehicles, which has serious implications Liberia’s transport sector is poor road safety, which for congestion, safety, health, and the environment. has dire consequences for individuals involved in This trend is contributing to climate change and is road accidents. In addition, this situation hampers the evident in various parts of the country, particularly free flow of goods and passengers. This situation not in urban centers. To address these challenges, Liberia only affects the lives of those directly involved but urgently requires: also represents a substantial drain on the country’s A. Mass transit solutions: Developing mass economy. Improving road safety in Liberia must be transit solutions is critical to reducing congestion driven by a holistic approach that addresses several and providing an alternative to private car use. key factors: This could include bus rapid transit systems A. C o m p r e h e n s i v e e a n d e s u s t a i n e d or other forms of public transportation that enforcement of regulations: There is an are efficient, affordable, and accessible to all urgent need for more rigorous enforcement of citizens; and existing road traffic regulations. This includes B. Integrated land use and transport enhancing driver and vehicle testing protocols to ensure that only qualified drivers operate planning: An integrated approach to land use and transport planning is essential, especially safe vehicles. Stricter adherence to traffic laws in urban areas. By coordinating transportation can significantly reduce accidents and their development with urban planning, Liberia associated costs; can create environments that support public B. Strengthening road traffic regulations: transport and reduce dependence on personal The current road traffic regulations must vehicles, ultimately leading to a more sustainable be reviewed and strengthened to raise the urban transport system. standards required of drivers, vehicles, and especially commercial transport operators. This R i s i n g eTr a n s p o r t a t i o n e C o s t s : e R i s i n g means implementing higher safety standards transportation costs pose a perpetual threat to and ensuring that all transport operators are users, disproportionately affecting the poor. High compliant with these regulations; transport costs can limit access to essential services and opportunities, exacerbating socio-economic C. Improving infrastructure design and inequalities. To achieve widespread accessibility and construction: The design and construction of reduce environmental impacts, as envisioned in the road infrastructure in Liberia require significant AAID, several measures must be adopted: improvement. This involves building roads that meet safety standards, incorporating features A. Mitigating fuel costs: It’s crucial to limit the that reduce accident risks, increase climate effects of escalating fuel costs on transportation. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 93 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID This can be achieved through policies that required to fulfill its mandates effectively. Addressing promote fuel efficiency and alternative energy these decentralization challenges involves: sources, reducing the financial burden on users; A. Improving budgetary allocations: B. Safeguarding road infrastructure: Ensuring that the transport sector receives Implementing axle load controls and adequate funding is crucial. This requires undertaking planned routine and periodic increasing budgetary support, allowing for the maintenance of road infrastructure can help procurement of essential tools, equipment, safeguard these assets. Sustainable financing and resources necessary for effective service mechanisms can be established, where users delivery; and contribute to the maintenance of the roads they B. Enhancing logistics and capacity: utilize; and Developing logistics capabilities within the C. Identifying alternative modes of transport: transport sector is vital for efficient operations. Exploring alternative modes of transport, such This includes investing in training programs for as rail, inland water transport, and mass transit, personnel, acquiring modern equipment, and is essential for creating a cost-effective and establishing maintenance facilities to support environmentally friendly transport system. transport infrastructure. These alternatives can provide viable options Liberia’s transport sector faces significant challenges for both investors and users, helping to ease the that require urgent and comprehensive solutions. burden of rising transport costs. Addressing poor road safety, reducing reliance on Decentralization: The absence of decentralization cars, mitigating rising transportation costs, and has posed significant challenges to the transport sector, overcoming decentralization challenges are critical for particularly regarding the quality-of-service delivery improving the overall effectiveness and accessibility across the nation. Each Liberian deserves access to of transport and logistics sector. high-quality, safe transport services, regardless of their location. Unfortunately, the transport sector has been impeded by insufficient budgetary allocations, which have led to a lack of necessary logistics and tools 94 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 15: Transport Services and Safety Objective: Create an efficient, reliable, and sustainable transportation system that supports economic growth, trade, and development by facilitating the movement of goods, services, and people. Effective transport services are essential for improving productivity, reducing costs, and enhancing national and international competitiveness, ultimately contributing to overall economic transformation. Key targets by 2029:

1. Install 1,000 pieces traffic signs across the country

2. Install 20 weighbridges

3. Driver licensing and vehicle registration processes modernized across the country

4. Upgrade James Spriggs Payne Airport

5. Improve RIA facilities and safety in compliance with air traffic regulations

6. Establish four climate-controlled warehouses across counties

7. Establish four multi-purpose bus terminals

8. Rehabilitate five domestic airstrips

9. Expand the railway from Yekepa to Guinea border

10. Expand and modernize four ports and one dry-port in Nimba Key interventions: ● Improvement of road safety for all ● Improvement and enforcement of bridge usage compliance ● Improvement of driver licensing and vehicle registration ● Improvement of port trade facilitation and control services ● Expansion and modernization of port facilities ● Improvement of airport services and safety to promote business and tourism services ● Construction of climate-smart warehouses in four counties ● Expansion, upgrade and modernization of airport facilities ● Development and decentralization of driver testing and licensing centers ● Decentralization of vehicle registration at county service centers ● Expansion and modernization of inclusive mass public transport services ● Supporting the construction of four multi-purpose bus terminals ● Expansion and modernization of railways ● Supporting the adoption of low-emission transport facilities and technologies National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 95 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.3. Strategic Policy 9: Water and Sewage Strategic Objective: Provide universal access to water for the population and businesses and effective sewage management systems, while improving public health. This aims to improve public health, reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases, and enhance environmental sustainability. The AAID seeks to develop and upgrade water treatment facilities and sewage systems to ensure sanitation and hygiene standards are met. Ultimately, these efforts are intended to promote a healthier population, support community well-being, and contribute to overall economic development. Significant outcomes shall be derived from providing universal access to water and sewage facilities. Figure 45: Strategic Policy 9 goals by 2029 PPP in water & sewage $1m Population with $ 0 (2022) Population with access to basic access to basic drinking water in drinking water in urban areas rural areas 90% 70% Population with 84.5% (2022) access to basic 65.4% (2022) drinking water 80% People with basic 75.6% (2022) At least handwashing facilities including 75% soap and water of schools with 10% Water productivity, properly functioning WASH facilities total $ 19/m3 $21/m3 (2020) Source: MFDP 96 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia has a notable deficit in the management and Several outstation facilities in Robertsport, Sanniquellie, operations of water and sewage services. This is largely and Voinjama have been rehabilitated in recent past. due to the impact of the civil war that led to the However, other key facilities in Greenville, Harper, destruction of water and sewer infrastructure. Prior to Gbarnga, and Tubmanburg are yet to be rehabilitated. the civil war, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation This makes expansion of water services to several (LWSC) operated a large-scale Water Treatment Plant communities in these cities a challenge. The sewage (WTP) at White Plains, Monrovia, with a water production infrastructure suffered significant damage during the capacity of 16 million gallons per day (mgpd). This civil war, rendering the sewage main lift stations, and plant served Monrovia and the surrounding areas with Fiamah Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) non-functional. purified pipe-borne water. In addition to the White Currently, sewage is collected using trucks across Plains WTP, LWSC managed ten (10) water outstations Monrovia and transported to the containment tank at across urban centers, including Kakata, Buchanan, the Fiamah facility for treatment before release into the Zwedru, Gbarnga, Sanniquellie, Voinjama, Robertsport, designated discharge area. Managing waste or sludge Harper, Greenville, and Tubmanburg. These stations effectively is crucial for sustainable development relied primarily on groundwater sources, which were for several reasons: it reduces pollution, conserves treated, stored in elevated reservoirs, and distributed natural resources, protects ecosystems, minimizes the by gravity. The White Plains plant remains the only spread of diseases, reduce costs associated with waste surface water intake facility in the LWSC system, while disposal, and create economic opportunities through all other stations depend on underground sources. recycling and resource recovery. Owing to the deficit in the water and sewage infrastructure, Liberia has made slow progress in improving water and sanitation coverage. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 97 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 16: Water Resource and Sewage Management Objective: Ensure universal access to clean, safe, and reliable water supply and adequate sewage facilities. These services are critical for public health, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. Providing efficient water and sewage infrastructure supports social well-being, reduces poverty, improves living standards, and fosters sustainable urban and rural development. Ensuring access to clean water is a fundamental part of building a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future. The same is true for ensuring the effective management of sewage facilities. Key targets by 2029:

1. Produce and distribute 100,000 cubic meters (26.5 million gallons) of water per day

2. Increase coverage of sewage services to 30%

3. Cater coverage increased by 75%

4. Update the Liberia water resource map

5. Improve the fecal sludge management in Monrovia and other urban centers Key interventions: ● Expansion and modernization of sustainable urban water supply to businesses and communities ● Expansion and modernization of sustainable rural water supply to businesses and communities ● Expansion and modernization of sewage services ● Updating of the water resource map ● Improvement of fecal sludge management in Monrovia and other urban centers. 98 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.4. Strategic Policy 10: Energy Strategic Objective: Ensure sustainable energy access for the population and businesses, while guaranteeing energy security. This sector plays a critical role in Liberia’s economic transformation by providing reliable energy for economic activities, improving environmental management, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. Energy is a fundamental driver of economic growth and development. A reliable energy supply is crucial for industries, enabling production processes, reducing production cost, and increasing efficiency. Significant outcomes shall be derived from an efficient and reliable energy sector, as shown in Figure 46 below. Figure 46: Strategic Policy 10 goals by 2029 PPP investments $ 84 m $0 (2023) Access to electricity, Access to electricity, urban rural (% of population) (% of population) 60% 20% 53.7% (2022) 14.9% (2022) Access to electricity 35% Renewable (% of population) Global Power energy Ranking consumption 120/138 (% of total) 132/138 (2023) 95% 92.8% (2022) Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 99 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s energy mix has historically been dominated RESPITE (US$96 million portfolio), with US$21.5 by traditional biomass fuels such as firewood and million allocated to 20MW solar farm at Mount Coffee, charcoal, accounting for more than 80 percent of US$58 million for MCHPP extension, US$3 million for the country’s total energy consumption. Petroleum Dam safety, US$6 million for Saint Paul River 2 Project, products, including gasoline and diesel, contribute and US$6.5 million for implementation support. to about 10 percent of energy consumption, while United States Agency for International Development hydroelectric power makes up just over 6 percent. (USAID) is also funding additional protection systems The remaining energy comes from various sources, for MCHPP units 2, 3 and 4 to prevent the recurrence including solar energy. The goal of the GoL’s National of what happened to Unit 1. Energy Policy (NEP) is to provide power to 70 percent Despite the size of the current investment, access of the population of Monrovia and 35 percent of the to electricity is low, estimated to be only around 26 entire country by 2030. However, the current energy percent nationally — 46.4 percent in Monrovia and infrastructure is limited to deliver only a fraction nearly 8 percent in the rural areas—while biomass of what is required to meet the NEP’s target and to account for over 93 percent of energy used for ensure sustained economic development. domestic cooking. In addition, electricity supply Energy supply increased from 201 MWh to 401 MWh is also unstable, especially during the 6-month dry over the last six years. According to LEC, sales also season, when the output of the MCHPP is immensely increased during this period from 71.5 MWh to 204.7 diminished by fall in water level. As a result, commercial MWh, while aggregate technical and commercial consumers continue to experience financial losses, losses dropped from 66.5 percent to 50.7 percent. due to lack of power and/or frequent power outages. The LEC also expanded the electricity network to On the other hand, even though there has been a Gbarnga, Bong County; Bomi County; Grand Cape gradual decline in electricity tariffs from US$0.54/ Mount County; RIA Highway in Margibi County; and kwh to US$0.24/kwh, Liberia still has one of the many unserved communities in Montserrado County. highest electricity tariffs in the world and businesses There are over 200,000 active prepaid customers and continue to rely on generators. Improving access to over 150 active post-paid comprising LEC customer affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy supply base. The current installed generation capacity of will boost private sector development, especially the system is 126 MW—188 MW from the Mount manufacturing, and the efficient and effective Coffee Hydro Power Plant (MCHPP) and 38 MW delivery of social services, using technology. A priority from the Bushrod Thermal Plant. Liberia imports focus on renewable energy expansion can achieve 35MW of electricity from La Cote D’Ivoire as follows, greater energy security, reduce costs, and enhance bringing the total capacity of the system to 161 MW. access for all. Such interventions require government Additionally, there are support projects, funded by commitment and international partners support international development partners. They include the to overcome the current limitations and unlock the World Bank’s Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening country’s energy potential. and Access Project (LESSAP) (US$64.2 million The 2016 RESMAP outlines a goal of 100 percent portfolio) for the repair of Unit 1 at MCHPP (US$7 electricity access by 2030, with 70 percent through million ); overhaul of GoL HFO Plant (US$1.5 million LEC and 30 percent via off-grid solar (OGS). Hence, ), and expansion of the electricity Grid, procurement the OGS sector is of great importance, especially for of SCADA, among others; African Development Bank’s remote, low-income households, where off-grid solar Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project (LEEAP) solutions like smaller SHS are more cost-effective than (US$46.94 million portfolio, with balance of US$5.17 grid connections. million); AfDB’s CLSG-RE (US$22.18 million portfolio, with a balance US$0.20 million ); and World Bank’s 100 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 17: Energy Resource Development and Management Objective: Ensure that reliable, affordable, efficient, and sustainable electricity is accessible to all sectors of the economy, to facilitate economic growth, and improve quality of life, and social equity. This is based on the Liberia Energy Compact which is the government’s commitment to ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030 in partnership with development partners such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Electricity services are critical for industrialization, enhancing productivity, and enabling the delivery of essential services such as health, education, and ICT. Developing indigenous low-cost renewable energy resources is crucial to satisfy the growth in demand for electricity, reduce the cost of supply and enhance energy security. Overall, investing in renewable energy, expanding access to underserved areas, improving energy infrastructure reliability, regulation, and building institutional capacity of the energy MACs, will be the main areas of focus in the medium term. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase national electricity access rate by 55%

2. Operationalize 4 turbines at MCHPP

3. Increase capacity of MCHPP to 148 MW

4. Increase energy mixed by 36 MW solar

5. Reduce total electricity loss to 10% Key interventions: ● Upgrading of electricity regulatory framework and database management system ● Rehabilitation of Unit One of Mount Coffee Hydro Power Plant (MCHPP) and Saint Paul 2 and Gbedin Hydro ● Expansion of regional, businesses, and communities’ electricity distribution ● Implementation of Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention (RESPITE) ● Supporting the provision of reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity to underserved and remote areas in Liberia by leveraging off-grid solar solutions ● Improvement of the electricity distribution network to reduce electricity losses National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 101 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 102 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.5. Strategic Policy 11: Communication Technologies and Digital Economy Strategic Objective: Enhance access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to drive economic growth and improve service delivery. This includes expanding internet connectivity, improving telecommunications infrastructure, and promoting digital literacy among citizens. The AAID aims to leverage technology to enhance governance, facilitate e-commerce, and improve access to education and health services. Ultimately, these efforts seek to foster innovation, empower communities, and support sustainable development through effective communication channels. Significant outcomes shall be derived from enhanced access to information and communication technologies. Figure 47: Strategic Policy 11 goals by 2029 ICT Development Index 170/176 Global N/A (2017) Global Cybersecurity Connectivity Index Index Tier 3 75/80 Global Startup Tier 4 (2024) Ecosystem Index N/A (2020) (Monrovia) Mobile 900/1000 N/A (2024) Networked Connectivity Readiness Index Index 150/173 130/134 Integrated Index N/A (2023) 157/173 (2023) for Postal Development 135/168 141/168 Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 103 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia has moved into the digital transformation Other areas include digital information management era with limited capacity to adapt new technologies systems solutions, e-government solutions (i.e. and poor infrastructure to leverage the gains that harmonization of all government services on a single technological advancement brings to economies. The platform), integrating tech-solutions in vertical Country launched the National Digital Transformation production and services value chains to include: Agenda in the first half of 2024. This policy statement e-agriculture, e-health, e-mining, e-commerce, affirmed the “political will” of the country to explore e-education, e-forestry, e-government, etc. opportunities in attracting digital investment and Technology plays a key role in national development establishing prudent legal and regulatory frameworks by serving as a catalyst for a modern, competitive, and to facilitate economic growth through enhanced inclusive economy. The AAID’s focus on technology digitalization of the economy and all vertical value is aligned with global efforts to achieve the UN chains. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Liberia is an emerging economy that has experienced Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal over twenty years of peace, solidified by three 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and successful elections and two political transitions. Most Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). That of the country’s population are young people. The explains why a little over two decades ago, Liberia youth-technology nexus has influenced technological embraced ICT, and the technology infrastructure is still advancements around the world in countries such as developing. During this period, the country has made China, the United States, South Korea, Japan, Rwanda, significant strides in transforming the ICT sector, while Kenya, Angola, and South Africa. Studies have shown trying to enhance socio-economic development that most of the world’s best technologists are young across the country, yet multiple challenges have people under the age of 20. With Liberia’s growing affected the pace of progress. The ICT infrastructure, population, early digital investment in this part of particularly internet access and telecommunication the world will yield benefits not only for companies services, has been constantly expanding, bolstered but also for the aspiring young population venturing by public and private sector initiatives. A draft policy into digital literacy and digital marketing. The country seeks to ensure inclusion in ICT. According to the currently has a friendly investment climate with Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MoPT), several digital infrastructural gaps and tech-related the proposed ICT Policy in Liberia aims to create new business opportunities that larger foreign direct learning and ICT access opportunities for women, investments (FDIs) can leverage. youths, the disabled, and disadvantaged groups, particularly disenfranchised and illiterate people, to Key challenges ahead are limited ICT infrastructure address social inequities. and broadband connectivity around the country, limited technology manufacturing industries & App The ACE (Africa Coast to Europe) submarine cable solutions developers, low ICT capacity development system has improved international connectivity, with among the population and inadequate digital systems plans to bring on a second international submarine and lack of interoperability. optical fiber cable system. As of 2023, internet penetration stood at around 25 percent, with gradual The key areas for investments are broadband growth hinged on an expanding mobile data service. connectivity or fiber deployment, rural connectivity, However, fixed broadband subscriptions are relatively tech-solutions, including software and hardware low, with a 2.5 percent penetration rate, though many applications to facilitate a robust ICT ecosystem, new service providers are entering the broadband cybersecurity solutions, data protection and cloud market and enhancing competition. On the other computing, data center or big data management, and hand, the coverage of mobile broadband (3G and digital learning platforms (e-learning and u-learning). 4G networks) has been expanding, with 4G services 104 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID available in major cities and coverage estimated in the world once there is internet connectivity. The at 30 percent of the population.[i] With respect to introduction of mobile money has helped individuals general mobile network coverage, penetration is manage their finances better and engage in economic approximately 80 percent of the population.[ii] activities, leading to increased entrepreneurship and According to the Liberian 2022 National Census, 66.3 small business development as well as reduction in percent of households owned a mobile phone, while the cost of transactions for both buyers and sellers. 33.6 percent had access to the internet, with access Digital literacy is crucial for advancing economic far more prevalent in urban areas, compared to rural growth, education, and social inclusion in Liberia. areas. Initiatives are underway to enhance digital skills, Increased access to technology products has including a government program launched in early also bolstered financial inclusion in the economy, 2024 aiming to educate 10,000 young people. Efforts particularly with the introduction and growth of to boost internet access and integrate technology mobile money (wallets) services and other digital into public services are ongoing and are being payment methods. In addition to automated teller led by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority machines (ATMs), most banks now have point of and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. sales (POS) services at hotels, supermarkets, clinics, Additionally, a national identification scheme is and restaurants, among others. These systems accept expanding, requiring ID cards for banking, SIM both international and local credit and debit cards. registration, and employment. However, adoption The banks have also enhanced their services with remains low, and the national identification number their customers by providing online services, enabling has yet to be fully integrated across various platforms. Liberians and residents to transact from anywhere National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 105 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 18: Postal Services Objective: Enhance communication and connectivity across the country by improving the efficiency and reliability of postal services. This includes modernizing postal infrastructure, expanding service coverage, and integrating technology to facilitate faster and more secure mail delivery. The AAID aims to ensure that all citizens have access to essential postal services, which can support business activities, enhance access to information, and promote social inclusion. Ultimately, these efforts seek to strengthen the overall communication framework and contribute to national development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Digitize Postal System and Services by 70%

2. National Digital Postal Address System available for 55% of houses Key interventions: ● Implementation of National Digital Postal Address System ● Digitalization of the Postal Services PROGRAM 19: Broadcasting Services Objective: Enhance the reach, capabilities, sustainability, and ensure high-quality, accessible content for all Liberians. This plan focuses on expanding infrastructure and embracing digital transformation. Broadcasting plays a crucial role in the development process. It serves as a powerful tool for communication, education, and information dissemination with many impactful results. Broadcasting provides timely and accurate information to the public, helping people stay informed about local, national, and international events. Besides playing its public awareness creation role, the media plays a watchdog role, holding governments and officials accountable for their actions and promoting transparency and good governance. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase nationwide radio and television coverage to 60%

2. Complete comprehensive digital migration across LBS broadcasting platforms Key interventions: ● Installation of transmission towers and repeaters in targeted locations. ● Completion of comprehensive digital migration across LBS broadcasting platforms. ● Digitization of archives and upgrade of equipment for digital transmission 106 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 20: National ICT Eco-System and Digital Societies Objective: Create a robust digital infrastructure that fosters innovation, economic growth, and social inclusion. This involves developing a comprehensive ICT framework that enhances connectivity, promotes digital literacy, and supports the growth of digital services and entrepreneurship. The AAID aims to leverage technology to improve governance, education, healthcare, and access to information, ultimately empowering citizens and communities. By building a vibrant digital ecosystem, Liberia seeks to enhance overall development and competitiveness in the global economy. Key targets by 2029:

1. Automate 100 MACs with automated GoL services

2. Increase ICT coverage nationwide by 30%

3. Increase broadband coverage nationwide by 30%

4. Increase internet access of the population by 40% Key interventions: ● Harmonization of GoL ICT Infrastructure and Services ● Improvement of E-Governance Strategy ● Deployment ACE fiber cable national backbone and landing of Amilcar Cabral Fiber Cable ● Integrating ICT services in schools, health facilities and digital villages ● Increasing ICT start-up society ● Supporting women and youth ICT entrepreneurs ● Enhancement of cybersecurity for protection of data and systems National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 107 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.2.6. Strategic Policy 12: Housing Development Strategic Objective: Provide affordable, safe, and adequate housing for citizens, thereby improving living conditions and promoting social stability. This includes addressing the housing deficit, upgrading informal settlements, and ensuring access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. The AAID aims to foster sustainable urban development, stimulate economic growth through construction and related industries, and enhance community resilience. Ultimately, these efforts seek to support the right to housing and contribute to overall national development. Significant outcomes shall be derived from providing adequate housing. Figure 48: Strategic Policy 12 goals by 2029 Housing Affordability Index 105/109 N/A (2024) Source: MFDP 108 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Housing is a fundamental human necessitate. in semi-permanent units, 35 percent in temporary According to UN-HABITAT, housing is an important housing units and only 20 percent in permanent for achieving many of the SDGs as adequate and housing units. For instance, according to the 2022 affordable housing leads to benefits in health, National Population and Housing Census, only about education, and economic opportunities and housing 40 percent of households use flush toilet facilities, and improvement often a ladder out of poverty. In 2014, about one-third (32.0%) use open defecation (outback the housing stock totaled 327,000 dwellings, while or beach) or have no toilet facility at home. The quality housing needs were forecasted to reach 512,000 units of housing is influenced by the high cost of housing by 2030. At this level of need, UN-Habitat estimated a and the relatively low-income levels of most Liberians. minimum build rate of 30,000 new housing units per To address the demand for housing and housing annum will be required to meet this need. In fact, with improvements requires a multifaceted approach an increasing rate of urbanization and more people involving government initiatives, community (54.5%) now living in urban areas, compared to just 15 engagement, and public and private investment years ago, when more people lived in rural areas, the to ensure that all citizens have access to safe and demand for housing is estimated to be much higher. affordable housing. Accordingly, the government Not only is housing a critical demand across the will pursue policy and institutional frameworks to country, but the quality of housing is equally a facilitate improved expertise and management of challenging issue. A substantial portion of urban the sector and increased investment in housing housing is informal, and the quality of housing is often development in the country. This will involve poor, with many structures lacking basic amenities establishing diverse partnerships with the private such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation sector, CBOs, communities, and financial institutions facilities. For housing conditions, report from NPHC to increase housing supply and access to affordable 2022 reveals that housing condition is deplorable housing. with 45 percent of household nationwide residing National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 109 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 21: Modern and Affordable Housing Opportunities for All Objective: Offer affordable housing, promote homeownership and empower citizens to build their own homes This initiative aims to increase access to affordable housing and land, facilitate the development of housing, and encourage self-construction practices. By providing modern and affordable housing opportunities for all at reasonable prices, the AAID seeks to stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities in the construction sector, and improve living standards, while addressing the housing deficit and foster sustainable community development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Construct 1000 inclusive housing units

2. Commercialize 5000 plots for public servants and diaspora 3. 1000 acres of land purchased for construction of housing

4. Requalify 10% of urban and suburban areas Key interventions: ● Development and strengthening of housing policy ● Establishment of housing information system ● Strengthening and expansion of partnerships for housing development ● Development and upgrading of slums ● Requalification of urban and suburban areas ● Development of site and service schemes for citizens and the Diaspora ● Provision of housing for public servants, especially security, health and education officers ● Commercialization of affordable housing and plots to empower citizens to build their own homes 110 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.3. PILLAR 3: RULE OF LAW Strategic Goal: Establish a just, equitable, and accountable legal framework that ensures the protection of rights, promotes good governance, and fosters a stable environment The Rule of Law pillar involves improving access to justice, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and fostering community engagement in governance to uphold the rule of law as a foundation for sustainable development and social equity in Liberia. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 111 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Rule of law in Liberia is challenged by a combination of institutional weaknesses, mismanagement, limited access to justice, human rights violations, political interference, and decentralization issues. The judiciary suffers from significant resource constraints, including inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, and inadequately trained personnel. According to the World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2021, Liberia ranked 96 out of 139 countries in terms of judicial independence, indicating systemic issues in the legal system . Similarly, Liberia’s overall rule of law score decreased by 1.7percent in the 2022 Index. It ranks 112th out of 140 countries worldwide, falling two positions since last year. Regionally, Liberia ranks 20th out of 34 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (WJP Rule of Law Index 2021) The World Bank improving justice study (2023), referred to earlier in this section, found that only 83 percent of courts across the country were functional, ranging from 100 percent in Montserrado to only 50 percent in Bomi. The report further revealed that of all civil cases occurring in communities, only 3 percent reached a formal forum such as a court for resolution, while 38 percent were heard at informal forums and 59 percent not taken to any forum for resolution. For criminal cases, only an estimated 2 percent of cases appeared before a formal forum for resolution, while 45 percent, including rape cases, were resolved through informal forums and 53 percent were never taken to any forum for resolution. The study concluded that Liberians were more satisfied with informal than formal justice actors, with the perception that customary justice is fairer and more impartial. This outcome made the case for a lack of confidence in the formal justice system. Rule of law in Liberia is also affected by limited access to justice. Many citizens, especially those in rural areas, lack access to legal services. The Legal Aid Act is not fully implemented, resulting in many individuals being unable to afford legal representation. A UNDP 2019 study revealed that approximately 70 percent of the population of Liberia has no access to formal justice systems. In addition, despite improvements since the civil war, human rights abuses, including gender-based violence and police brutality, remain serious issues affecting the rule of law in Liberia. A 2022 Human Rights Watch report noted a significant increase in reported cases of gender-based violence, with 1 in every 3 women experiencing violence in their lifetime (Human Rights Watch - HRW, “World Report 2022: Events of 2021.”). Complicating the situation is political interference in the judiciary, which often compromises judicial independence, leading to biased rulings and a lack of accountability for public officials. The U.S. Department of State’s 2021 Human Rights Report highlighted numerous instances of political interference in judicial proceedings. The centralization of resources and capacities in Monrovia also presents challenges for the rule of law. Although there are efforts to decentralize governance, local authorities often lack the necessary resources and training to effectively manage local justice systems. The key challenges to improving the rule of law in Liberia center on strengthening the independence of judicial and law enforcement institutions, improving transparency, strengthening institutional capacity, improving access to justice, promoting cooperation among all justice actors, and expanding avenues for accountability. Addressing these issues means adopting a comprehensive approach to improving the rule of law in Liberia over the next five years. 112 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 3: Rule of Law and Development Filters To successfully implement programs under the Rule of Law pillar, a comprehensive and inclusive approach will be adopted. This approach will prioritize equitable access, accountability, and community engagement, guided by the following key development filters: Youth and Children: Expand access to inclusive, safe, and child-friendly legal and justice services. Develop specialized youth and child justice programs that address the unique needs of children and young people, including legal aid, child protection services, and juvenile justice. This includes implementing practices that safeguard minors during legal proceedings and creating youth-centered legal awareness campaigns to educate children on their rights. Gender: Strengthen access to justice policies that specifically support women and girls, empowering them to exercise their rights fully and equitably. Enhance rule of law institutions and legal frameworks to address gender-specific challenges. Expand resources and training to improve sensitivity to gender sensitive issues within the judiciary and law enforcement. Vulnerable Groups: Ensure that legal and law enforcement services are accessible to all, especially vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and marginalized communities. Develop specialized support services, such as witness protection, safe homes etc to enhance the ability of vulnerable groups to access justice equitably and effectively. Employment: Increase women’s participation in the administration of justice by implementing fair recruitment practices, providing targeted skills training, and improving working conditions, particularly for those deployed in rural or underserved areas. Promote women’s participation within law enforcement, and provide mentorship to support their career advancement. Formalization: Formalize legal professions by streamlining registration for small-scale practitioners and community-based legal aid. Enhance climate justice through legal frameworks safeguarding natural resources and environmental rights within the justice system. Complementarity: Promote partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society to support cross-sectoral initiatives focused on improving the rule of law. Coordinate efforts across legal and social actors to create programs, such as joint advocacy on legal reforms, coordinated training on human rights and integrated victim support services. Business Environment: Promote a secure and transparent business environment by enhancing legal protections for local and international businesses, including access to dispute resolution services, contract enforcement, and anti-corruption measures. Develop frameworks that protect property rights, secure investments, and uphold fair competition, supporting the Liberianization policy by empowering local enterprises to operate within a just legal system. Digitization: Leverage digital technologies to enhance transparency, efficiency and transparency in the rule of law such digital records to reduce bureaucracy and improvement in service delivery. Peace and Reconciliation: Peaceful social conditions create an environment where legal institutions can function effectively, and reconciliation processes help heal past grievances, reducing tensions that could lead to conflict. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 113 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.3.1. Strategic Policy 13: Justice and Human Rights Strategic Objective: Focus on strengthening legal institutions, promoting human rights awareness, ensuring access to justice, holding violators accountable, fostering reconciliation, and supporting civil society to build a just and equitable society. This includes improving legal infrastructure, enhancing the capacity of the judiciary, and ensuring timely access to justice. Ultimately, these efforts seek to foster social stability, build public trust in institutions, and support sustainable development by ensuring that justice is served for all. Figure 49: Strategic Policy 13 goals by 2029 WB Rule of Law: Percentile Rank 30 19.5 (2015) Freedom House WB Rule of total ranking Law: Estimate 90/210 0.1 97/210 (2024) WJP Rule of Law -0.9 (2023) Index ranking 99/142 Human Freedom 109/142 (2024) Econmic ranking Freedom 99/164 120/100 104/163 (2023) 130/163 (2023) Personal Freedom 85/164 91/163 (2023) Source: MFDP 114 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The justice sector in Liberia is a complex system Corruption and political influence frequently influenced by the country’s history, particularly its civil undermine the rule of law in Liberia. Despite conflicts and ongoing governance challenges. Since constitutional protections for human rights, violations the civil wars ended in 2003, Liberia has attempted such as arbitrary detention, police brutality, and to rebuild its justice system, but it faces significant restrictions on freedom of expression are prevalent. obstacles in creating a fair and effective framework. The government’s commitment to human rights is often questioned, especially amid reports of abuses Historically, Liberia’s justice system has been by security forces and a lack of accountability. hindered by political instability and severe human rights violations. The civil wars devastated judicial Furthermore, women encounter significant barriers, infrastructure and diminished public trust in legal with gender-based violence being widespread and institutions. Efforts by international organizations cultural norms restricting their rights. While legislation and local NGOs to restore and strengthen these exists to protect women, enforcement is weak, and institutions have seen slow and uneven progress due women continue to have limited access to education to multifaceted challenges. and healthcare, perpetuating gender inequalities. The current justice sector consists of the judiciary, Children also face dire circumstances, including child law enforcement agencies, and correctional facilities. labor and trafficking, compounded by inadequate The judiciary, including the Supreme Court and lower educational opportunities. The legacy of civil war courts, struggles with inadequate funding, limited has left many children vulnerable, and reintegration resources, and insufficient training for judges and efforts for former child soldiers have been inconsistent. personnel, impairing its effectiveness. The Liberia Although the government and NGOs are working to National Police (LNP) faces issues such as corruption, improve child rights, progress is slow. inadequate training, inadequate compensation, and Challenges in the justice sector include capacity general distrust from the community. Moreover, and resource constraints, leading to inefficiencies, the correctional system suffers from overcrowding, delays, and significant case backlogs, which in effect poor conditions, and a lack of effective rehabilitation complicate the business environment. Corruption programs for inmates. further complicates access to justice, with bribery The judiciary is plagued by inefficiency, hindering and nepotism skewing judicial outcomes. Geographic the rule of law and citizens’ access to justice. Many disparities exacerbate these issues, particularly in individuals remain in prolonged pre-trial detention, rural areas lacking legal infrastructure. and legal representation is often inaccessible, Despite these challenges, there are opportunities for especially for the impoverished. Although there have reform. Continued collaboration with international been attempts to strengthen judicial processes, these organizations can provide vital funding and technical efforts are met with considerable obstacles. support. Legal reforms are essential for improving Access to justice is a critical concern, particularly for efficiency, transparency, and trust, while community marginalized populations in rural areas. Many citizens engagement can empower citizens and enhance encounter barriers such as geographic isolation, access to justice. Integrating technology into the poverty, and a lack of awareness regarding their rights. justice system offers a promising path forward, Legal aid services are underdeveloped, leaving most increasing efficiency and accessibility. Strengthening people unable to afford private legal representation. accountability mechanisms is crucial for rebuilding While traditional dispute resolution mechanisms are trust in legal institutions, ultimately paving the way for important in many communities, they often operate a more just society. The government will collaborate outside the formal legal framework, leading to with development partners and other stakeholders to inconsistencies in justice delivery. strengthen the justice system and protect the rights of all residents. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 115 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 22: Justice Policy Reform and Decentralization Objective: Enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and fairness of the justice system across the country. This involves revising legal frameworks, improving the capacity of judicial and law enforcement institutions, and decentralizing services to ensure that justice services are readily available to all citizens, particularly in rural areas. The AAID aims to promote local governance, improve the doing business environment, strengthen community engagement in the justice process, and ensure accountability and transparency. Ultimately, these efforts seek to build public trust, protect human rights, and foster economic prosperity, social cohesion and stability. Key targets by 2029:

1. Operationalize alternative dispute resolution law

2. Publish 110 Executive Orders, volumes of Liberia Code of Law revised (LCLR) and Liberia Law reports

3. Ensure semi-autonomous status for the Bureau of Correction

4. Increase Liberia’s compliance with human rights rating by 80%

5. Include human rights in educational curricula

6. Amend Vehicle and Traffic Law of Liberia

7. Operationalize the Legal Aid Act Key interventions: ● Support to the enactment and operationalization of the alternative dispute resolution law ● Revision of constitutional and legal regimes ● Establishment of an integrated legal codification system for the supreme court opinions and other statutes ● Introduction of digital technologies in court proceedings management ● Empowerment of the Bureau of Correction to become semi-autonomous and improve Corrections Services ● Strengthening judicial ethics and public confidence ● Expansion, modernization and decentralization of justice services with a focus on GBV, juvenile and family courts ● Strengthening traditional/community justice mechanisms ● Strengthening access to justice services for PWDs and other vulnerable persons ● Passage of the Legal Aid Act ● Mainstreaming and domestication of gender and human rights laws into national legal instruments ● Conducting policy reforms for the rule of law institutions 116 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 23: Enforcement of Human Rights Objective: Ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, enjoy the same rights and opportunities. This includes implementing policies to combat discrimination, promote gender equality, and protect marginalized groups. The AAID aims to strengthen legal frameworks and institutions that uphold equal rights, enhance access to justice, and foster public awareness of human rights issues. By promoting inclusivity and social justice, the AAID seeks to create a fairer society where the people’s rights are protected and every citizen can participate fully in national development and contribute to communal prosperity. Key targets by 2029:

1. Strengthen the legal framework to enhance protection of the rights of citizens and residents, including vulnerable and marginalized groups

2. Include human rights courses in educational curricula

3. Revise the National Human Rights Action Plan Key interventions: ● Supporting the protection of the rights of citizens and residents, including vulnerable and marginalized groups ● Promoting the inclusion of human rights in the educational curricula ● Strengthening the national mechanism for reporting and follow-ups on all human rights instruments ● Revision of the national human rights action plan ● Supporting the establishment of the war and economic crimes Court National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 117 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.3.2. Strategic Policy 14: Public Safety and National Defense Strategic Objective: Strengthen law enforcement, enhance emergency response, combat gender-based violence, improve judicial access, promote youth engagement, combat trafficking, and foster interagency collaboration for comprehensive security and stability. Strengthening law enforcement and emergency response enhances community safety, which is essential for attracting investment and fostering economic growth. Addressing gender-based violence and human trafficking protects vulnerable populations and promotes social justice, while improving the judiciary ensures access to justice and the rule of law. Significant outcomes shall be derived from ensuring public safety and national defense. Figure 50: Strategic Policy 14 goals by 2029 Criminality score ranking in Africa 18/54 23/54 (2023) Global Finance Global Peace Index Safest Country Index 63/170 49/134 69/163 (2022) Law Enforcement 53/134 (2023) 110 Security & Rule police officers per of Law Index 100k population 43/100 48.8/100 (2023) Power Index 137/14 5 140/145 (2024) Source: MFDP 118 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Public safety in Liberia is a complex issue shaped by law enforcement capabilities and establishing its historical context, socio-economic conditions, and transparent mechanisms to combat corruption reform efforts. Following decades of civil wars from are necessary steps toward rebuilding trust and 1989 to 2003, Liberia struggles with establishing enhancing public safety in Liberia. a secure environment. The legacy of conflict has The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has been undergoing resulted in a breakdown of law and order, with citizens significant reconstruction since its reestablishment often mistrusting law enforcement officers due to in 2006 after the civil war. The AFL is a relatively past abuses by security forces. small military force. It has received training from The Liberia National Police (LNP) is tasked with international partners, including the United States, maintaining public safety but faces significant to enhance its operational capabilities in areas such challenges, including inadequate funding, training, as peacekeeping and human rights. The AFL actively and resources. Many officers lack the skills to address participates in regional peacekeeping missions, which complex security issues, leading to inefficiencies helps build its skills and international relationships. and low morale. Corruption, including bribery and However, it faces challenges, including limited extortion, further undermines public confidence, resources, inadequate infrastructure, and governance discouraging community cooperation with law issues that affect its effectiveness. Efforts are being enforcement. made to engage with local communities and promote a positive image of the military as a contributor to According to Global Organized Crime Index, Liberia national development and security. The AFL’s strategic ranks 23rd in Africa in criminality score. Crime focus includes national defense, border security, and rates are concerning, particularly regarding violent supporting civil authorities during crises, aiming to crime, theft, and gender-based violence, which are evolve into a reliable force for stability in Liberia and exacerbated by economic hardships and poverty. the region. Many Liberians, especially in urban areas, feel unsafe in their neighborhoods, contributing to a culture of fear. From the border integrity and migration side, an Women and girls are especially vulnerable to violence, influx of largely undocumented migrants to Liberia yet stigma often prevents them from seeking help. (estimated between 40,000 and 60,000), is posing a threat to Liberia’s sovereignty. Undocumented In response to these challenges, community migrants are primarily engaged in agriculture in engagement is becoming crucial. Grassroots initiatives forested border areas (Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River such as neighborhood watch programs foster a sense Gee, and Maryland). Their presence supports Liberia’s of ownership and responsibility among residents. agricultural sector but raises issues of documentation, However, the effectiveness of these efforts hinges border control, environmental sustainability, and on the relationship between communities and law social cohesion, especially in Liberia’s valuable Upper enforcement, as distrust often forces communities to Guinean Rainforest. There is a need to develop a take safety into their own hands. comprehensive strategy to integrate migrants into the Addressing socio-economic issues such as poverty formal economy, provide social services, and ensure and unemployment is vital for long-term public safety legal protection. This situation is further complicated improvements. Economic development, job creation, by the recent ECOWAS exclusion of some members, and education can provide alternatives to crime. affecting regional migration governance. Additionally, reforming the criminal justice system is essential, as overcrowded prisons and slow legal processes undermine the rule of law. Strengthening National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 119 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 24: Public Safety Readiness Objective: Establish a comprehensive framework to prepare for and respond to emergencies effectively. This includes enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and emergency services, developing rapid response protocols, and conducting regular training exercises. The AAID aims to foster community resilience through awareness programs and partnerships with local organizations. Additionally, it seeks to improve infrastructure and resource allocation for disaster management. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure a proactive approach to public safety that protects citizens and promotes a secure, stable environment for development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Decrease the number of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants by 20%

2. Zero tolerance to road accidents provoked by alcohol and drug consumption

3. Increase access to safety services by 20%

4. Decrease incidents of fire outbreaks by 30%

5. Decrease the occupation rate of the prison system by 20%

6. Establish and operationalize 5 regional security hubs

7. Construct at least 4 fire stations with support facilities

8. Construct and operationalize at least 10 border plazas (posts)

9. Construct and operationalize 1 training academy

10. Train and equip 40% security sectors personnel Key interventions: ● Strengthening administrative and operational capacity of public safety institutions ● Expansion, modernization and decentralization of public safety services ● Expansion, modernization and decentralization of women and children safety services ● Expansion and modernization of immigration services ● Development and implementation of the drug and substance abuse action plan ● Implementation of National Emergency Preparedness and Response ● Expansion, modernization and decentralization of fire services ● Improvement of national disaster preparedness and response ● Improvement of community engagement ● Recruitment, training and equipping security sector personnel as required 120 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 25: Sovereignty of the National Territory Objective: Protect and uphold the integrity of Liberia’s borders and resources. This includes strengthening the capabilities of the armed forces and fostering a professional military that respects human rights. The AAID emphasizes collaboration with international partners for capacity building and intelligence sharing. Additionally, it aims to enhance disaster response mechanisms and community resilience against emerging threats. By integrating defense strategies with national development goals, the AAID seeks to create a secure environment that supports socio-economic growth and protects the well-being of all Liberians. Key targets by 2029:

1. Maintain high level of preparedness for the AFL

2. Increase participation in peacekeeping missions by 20%

3. Develop the National Security Strategy

4. Renovate and equip 7 barracks across the country

5. Construct and equip at least 2 Defense facilities

6. Revise AFL welfare and pension scheme Key interventions: ● Building and equipping national defense operational facilities ● Renovation and construction of AFL housing units ● Development of the National Security Strategy ● Securing national defense assets ● Development and operationalization of AFL Welfare and Pension Policy ● Amendment of 2008 National Defense Act ● Activation of the AIR Wing ● Supporting International Peace Mission Preparedness National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 121 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.4. PILLAR 4: GOVERNANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION Strategic Goal: Build accountable and effective institutions that can promote value for money service delivery, prevent and combat corruption and deepen decentralized governance. The Governance and Anti-Corruption pillar focuses on building a capable state by strengthening governance systems both at the national and sub-national levels where public trust in institutions, political stability, and social cohesion can be enhanced. 122 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The critical ingredients for national development include observance of good governance, and a stable security environment. Part of Liberia’s post-conflict development planning initiatives were focused on governance reforms with emphases on building institutions and structures that contribute to social and economic growth and development (PRS, 2008; AfT, 2012; PAPD, 2018). The 2024 Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) shows that Liberia continues to nurture the governance space regardless of several bottlenecks. The BTI scale ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best) and the focus is on 137 countries. Regarding Political Transformation, Liberia was ranked 47 (out of 137 countries) with a score of 6.25. On Economic Transformation, Liberia ranked 105 (out of 137 countries) with a score of 4.07; and on the Governance Index, the score was 4.93 and rank 59 out of 137 countries. The civil service is bloated on account of overlapping job descriptions, and politicized staff configurations. The system of public administration remains centralized in the capital, despite legislations to roll out decentralization. Decentralization of governance is a key enabler of socio-economic transformation and the building of public trust in the relationship between the state and its grassroots citizens. Implementation of governance reforms is consistent with aspirations of the African Union’s principles that support sustainable governance and development of local democracies such as the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance, and Local Development; the Africa Agenda 2063 –the Africa We Want, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Aspiration 3 of the African Union Agenda 2063 calls for “An Africa of good governance, democracy, and respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”; and Aspiration 6 “An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women, and youth”. Similarly, the UN Sustainable Development Goals target 16.6 makes a clarion call for nations to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions; while target 16.5 calls on nations to substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms; and to develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. Mechanisms that enhance effectiveness of public institutions and improve center-of-government policy management in Liberia must be put in place. There is also the need to continue roll-out of administrative, political, and fiscal decentralization reforms to ensure a culture of citizen-centered governance that is inclusive, gender-sensitive, participatory, transparent, and accountable. Additionally, a critical focus is on the generation, collation, analysis, and application of quality data to support evidence-based planning and effective progress measurement. By establishing robust data systems, Liberia aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making across sectors. Reliable data collection and analysis enable timely identification of challenges and tracking of developmental outcomes, ensuring that strategies are responsive and adaptive. This commitment to data- driven governance strengthens institutional capacity and builds trust among stakeholders, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and better alignment with national priorities and international standards. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 123 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 4: Governance and Anti-Corruption and Development Filters To effectively implement programs under the Governance and Anti-Corruption pillar, a comprehensive approach will be integrated. This approach prioritizes accountability, transparency, and fairness, ensuring that governance systems meet the needs of all citizens. The strategy will be guided by the following key development filters: Youth and Children: Strengthen governance systems to provide transparent, accountable public services that respond to the needs and rights of young people and children, fostering a generation that values integrity and civic engagement. Gender: Build a more equitable governance system that ensures women, youth, and girls have equal access to public services. This includes addressing gender-specific barriers to participation in governance and supporting policies that enhance gender-sensitive public service delivery. Vulnerable Groups: Ensure that public policies and service delivery meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities and marginalized communities, by integrating accessibility and inclusivity into governance frameworks. Employment: Increase women’s participation in the public sector by offering targeted skills training and improving working conditions. This includes creating supportive environments for career advancement, reducing structural barriers, and fostering mentorship opportunities for women. Formalization: Review and restructure registration and regulatory processes to formalize informal businesses. Develop frameworks that make formalization accessible and affordable while deterring corrupt practices that undermine business legitimacy. Climate: Integrate climate considerations into governance by strengthening legal frameworks that safeguard natural resources and promote compliance with environmental regulations, ensuring sustainable development and justice for affected communities. Complementarity: Encourage partnerships among government, the private sector, and civil society to drive cross-sectoral initiatives aimed at enhancing governance systems and promoting collective accountability and responsibility. Business Environment: Foster a secure and transparent business environment by implementing reforms that eliminate corruption and encourage a fair regulatory landscape, strengthening the trust of investors and promoting sustainable economic growth. Digitization: Integrate technology to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability, empowering citizens, reducing corruption, and fostering trust for sustainable development. Peacebuilding: Address historical grievances, promote dialogue, reconciliation and encourage diverse communities to actively engage in governance processes, which creates a more accountable and transparent system. 124 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.4.1. Strategic Policy 15: Transparency and Accountability Strategic Objective: Foster a governance environment supported by digital technologies where in public officials are held accountable for their actions and decisions. This policy aims to enhance trust between citizens and the government by ensuring that information regarding public resources, expenditures, and decision-making processes is accessible and clear. The initiative seeks to empower citizens, encourage civic engagement, and improve service delivery by using digital technologies, promoting ethical standards. and reducing corruption. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to sustainable development, social justice, and strengthening democratic institutions in Liberia. Significant outcomes shall be derived from fostering a transparent and accountable governance environment. Figure 51: Strategic Policy 15 goals by 2029 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance 22/54 BTI Political 26/54 (2023) Transformation BTI Governance ranking Index 40/137 50/137 47/137 (2024) Corruption 59/137 (2024) Perception Index ranking 135/180 Participation, Foundations for 145/180 (2023) economic Rights & Inclusion Index opportunity 65/100 55/100 60.6/100 (2024) 46.8/100 (2023) Political Corruption Index 0.79 0.88 (2023) Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 125 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s journey towards transparency and As a result of all these factors, Liberia ranks poorly in all accountability has been shaped by its history of civil global government transparency and accountability conflict, governance challenges, and efforts to rebuild indexes. The Transparency International’s Corruption public institutions. Efforts to improve transparency Perception Index (CPI) shows a continuous year- in government operations resulted in the enactment on-year decline in ranking, based on the survey of of the Liberia Freedom of Information Act and the the experiences of everyday people confronting establishment of the Independent Information corruption in Liberia. As shown in Table 7, the Commission. However, the implementation of the Act country’s CPI score declined from 41/100 in 2012 to has been inconsistent. Citizens often face challenges 25/100 in 2023. Overall, the CPI 2023 report ranked in accessing information about government activities, Liberia at 145/180 countries. In addition, 47 percent budgets, earnings of government officials, public of people interviewed thought corruption increased expenditure, and decision-making processes, which in the previous 12 months since the last survey, while has eroded public trust in government. Established 53 percent of public service users said they paid a accountability systems have also struggled to bribe in the last 12 months leading up to the survey. implement their mandates, due mainly to their lack These ranks affect the country’s global standing, and of independence, resource challenges, a weak rule ability to attract foreign investment, access critical of law system, and the lack of political will to ensure international development assistance, and the overall accountability. stability of the nation’s economic development of the nation. Table 7: Liberia: CPI Score (2012 - 2023) Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 CPI Score 41 38 37 37 37 31 32 28 28 29 26 25 Source: Transparency International CPI Reports The overall conclusion is that while Liberia has made transparency and accountability from government significant strides toward improving transparency officials. Accordingly, efforts to improve transparency and accountability, corruption remains a pervasive and accountability in government must address issue across various sectors, affecting public trust systems issues, resource challenges, independence, and service delivery. Worse, many institutions lack and accountability of justice actors. Political will at the capacity and resources to enforce laws and the highest level is also essential for strengthening policies effectively. In many instances, there is an the commitment of government to transparency and inconsistency and disconnect between rhetoric/ accountability. intentions and action regarding commitments to 126 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 26: Expansion and Modernization of Governance and Audit Services Objective: Enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in public service delivery, by leveraging technology and innovative practices to streamline bureaucratic processes, reduce corruption, and foster citizen engagement. Modernizing governance approaches and practices will improve public sector accountability and responsiveness, eventually promoting sustainable development and social equity. Additionally, it intends to strengthen institutional capacities, ensuring that governance frameworks align with contemporary needs and challenges, thereby contributing to Liberia’s overall economic and social progress. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase enrollment into the National Bio-metric and Identification System to 90%

2. Migrate 80 MACs to the e-procurement platform

3. Develop and operationalize price index database

4. Implement an internal audit system for local government and revenue-sharing law

5. Digitize national documents and records system

6. Strengthen institutional capacity to enforce transparency standards

7. Full compliance with EITI standards

8. Achieve a 50 percent increase in unqualified audit opinions in the public sector Key interventions: ● Mass enrollment into the National Bio-metric and Identification System ● Implementation of the electronic government systems, including procurement (eGP) ● Development of a price index database for common user items ● Implementation of an internal audit management system ● Digitalization and protection of national documents and records ● Decentralization of archival services ● Strengthening institutional capacity to enforce transparency standards ● Ensuring compliance to EITI standards ● Enhancement of auditing quality and compliance to international auditing standards National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 127 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 27: Sustainable Democratic Governance Reform Objective: Strengthen democratic institutions and practices to ensure long-term stability and inclusivity. This program endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions and practices to enhance the rule of law, promote human rights, and ensure fair electoral processes, thereby fostering a political culture that values participation and accountability. The reform program seeks to build a more representative governance structure by empowering marginalized groups and promoting civic engagement. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to national unity, social cohesion, and sustainable development, and ensure that all citizens have a voice in shaping the country’s future. Key targets by 2029:

1. Strengthen and operationalize the election management system

2. Improve civic and voter education through public engagements

3. Implement public sector governance reform

4. Strengthen sector-specific legal regimes

5. Enhance technicians’ capacities

6. Increase prosecution of corruption cases by 40%

7. Extend coverage of LACC services to all counties

8. Strengthen transparency institutions capacity

9. Strengthen the Office of the Ombudsman Key interventions: ● Strengthening the elections management processes ● Enhancing civic and voter education and public engagement ● Conducting public sector reform ● Promotion of the implementation of sector-specific legal regimes ● Enhancement of internal, sectoral, and local government technical capacity ● Decentralizing anti-corruption services ● Strengthening and decentralization of freedom of information services ● Enhancement of compliance with the national Code of conduct ● Strengthening the Office of the Ombudsman 128 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.4.2. Strategic Policy 16: Public Administration Strategic Objective: Promote equitable regional growth and strengthen central and local governance. This includes decentralizing decision-making processes to empower local authorities and strengthening their capacities to address community needs effectively. The AAID seeks to ensure that resources and services are distributed fairly across regions, reducing urban-rural disparities. By fostering participatory planning and development initiatives, Liberia seeks to improve infrastructure, public services, and economic opportunities at the local level, ultimately contributing to national cohesion and sustainable development throughout the country. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a strengthened public administration and local governance system. Figure 52: Strategic Policy 16 goals by 2029 Global Sustainable Competitiveness 127/180 132/180 (2023) Governance Efficiency 140/180 149/180 (2023) Local Government Chandler Good Index Government Index 0.7 108/113 0.43 (2022) N/A (2023) Women in Local Government 135/141 N/A (2022) Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 129 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The collective experience from the last three national impact and service recognition. Many civil servants planning periods (2008; 2012; 2018) impels the need believe they can build better careers outside of the for a new program of public sector modernization. The civil service (World Bank, Public Sector Modernization national drive towards establishing autonomous local Report-Liberia, (No. ICR00005745 (2022). All these government service delivery necessitates a reduction point to the need to strengthen the merit system and in the current size of the central government. There expand in-service opportunities and benefits to civil is a need for smaller government at the center for servants. effective and efficient public service delivery at local Centralization of political, administrative, and fiscal levels in the counties. The challenge is that currently, governance in Monrovia has culminated in entrenched the comprises more than 100 ministries, agencies, socio-economic inequality nationwide; it continues to and commissions of the central government in undermine political stability by heightening feelings addition to 20 state-owned enterprises – almost all of exclusion from lack of participation of the citizens with central offices in Monrovia. Initial mandates- in the developmental processes thereby resulting in and-functions review conducted between 2010 and the need for greater accountability, transparency and 2012 revealed instances of overlapping mandates ownership in the management of public affairs. and underperforming functions. This led to the redesignation of some functions, for example, of The Local Government Act calls for the establishment the former Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, of county councils and county administrations, thereby creating the Ministry of Health and the as well as the governance structures of cities Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. and townships to strengthen implementation This process led by the Governance Commission, in of decentralization reforms. The effectiveness of collaboration with the Civil Service Agency, has not decentralized governance reforms depends on the been completed. To date, some ministries, agencies, functioning of these structures. Additionally, the and state-owned enterprises either have overlapping forerunner to these reforms was the establishment of mandates, unclear functions, or weak administrative county service centers as one-stop-service delivery structures; while others have functions that could be shops from where citizens can access a wide range incorporated into other institutions. of public services such as registration of businesses and vehicles, issuance of birth certificates, traditional The public sector remains challenged by significant marriage and divorce certificates, alien work permits, gaps between job requirements and the skill levels of and psychosocial counseling services. However, all current job holders. Conditions of service including these initiatives faced many challenges, including arbitrary wage disparities, and politicized staff sustainability. configurations continue to impede effective delivery of services. Attempts to address these constraints are Boundary disputes are critical issues of local further hampered by human resource practices that government and a long-standing problem and feature weak professional requirements and uneven potential source of conflict that needs to be addressed. compliance among MACs, with salary structures and Boundary issues border on land rights. Land rights rewards that are arbitrarily determined, low, and issues continue to drive conflict, obstruct investment, rarely linked to performance. and undermine overall national security and development in Liberia. Boundary conflicts are major In addition to politicized employment, and wage issues of the right to land and remain a key source of disparity, increasing numbers of civil servants conflict between towns, clans, chiefdoms, districts, are dissatisfied, and would like to change their and counties. Boundary disputes are also a source jobs because of (a) poor conditions of work, (b) of persistent social and political tension. If boundary lack of opportunities for mentoring, training, and issues are not resolved, through appropriate modern development, and (c) limited opportunities for 130 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID and traditional conflict resolution approaches, the collaborate and initiate the process leading to the issue will undermine peace and security in Liberia. resolution of all land and boundary disputes. A roster The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has the mandate of harmonized boundaries must be legislated to to identify, map, and register all public, private, and prevent possible future disputes. community lands. The MIA, LLA, and LISGIS will National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 131 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 28: Land Governance and Management Objective: Sustain peace and enhance community social cohesion through effective and efficient land governance and management services This involves creating integrated infrastructure systems that enhance connectivity between urban and rural areas, facilitating economic activities, consolidating peace, and securing access to essential services. The AAID aims to promote sustainable urban planning, protect natural resources while accommodating population growth, and managing land allocation. By prioritizing investments in transportation, housing, and public amenities, Liberia seeks to stimulate economic development, improve living conditions, and ensure environmental sustainability. Eventually, effective spatial development will create vibrant, resilient communities that contribute to national prosperity and social equity. Key targets by 2029:

1. Demarcate and harmonize local government boundaries

2. Identify and operationalize local communal farming and agricultural sites for new agri-business investors

3. Digitize 30% of new and existing land deeds

4. Develop a National Spatial Plan

5. Establish the National Cadastre Key interventions: ● Support the development of local communal farming, agribusiness value chain, and trade fairs ● Support the identification and marketing of local tourist sites ● Identification of local communal farming and agricultural sites for new agri-business economic operators ● Creation of physical boundary delimitations and urban toponymy ● Strengthening rural and urban spatial planning ● Implementation of the minimum standards for chartering cities ● Establishment of the national cadastre ● Strengthening of the institutional capacity in land management and governance ● Strengthening Deed titling services ● Establishment of a Land Management Information System ● Strengthening of land and real property valuation 132 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 29: Public Service Decentralization Objective: Enhance local governance and empower communities, by transferring decision-making authority and resources to local governments and improving service delivery and responsiveness to community needs. This program encourages citizen participation in governance, fostering ownership, accountability and transparency. Decentralization is intended to reduce regional disparities by ensuring equitable distribution of resources and development opportunities. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen democratic processes, promote local economic development, and enhance the overall quality of citizens living standards, thereby contributing to national stability and resilience. Key targets by 2029:

1. Establish the Ministry of Local Government

2. Provide capacity building support to all local government administrative structures in the counties

3. Empower and digitize county service centers

4. Implement the revenue sharing Act in all counties

5. Automate and operationalize the performance management system

6. Implement a unified legal identity system Key interventions: ● Capacity building of Local Government Administrative Structures ● Capacity building for Public Sector, Local Governments and Stakeholders ● Creation and operationalization of the Ministry of Local Government ● Establishment of local government administrative guidelines and regulations ● Establishment and empowerment of county treasuries and county development planning units ● Strengthening the municipal structures and empowering municipalities to deliver services ● Identification and ownership of waste disposal sites ● Improvement of fiscal devolution through the establishment of an implementation roadmap for the revenue-sharing law of 2021 ● Constitution and operationalization of the local government fiscal board ● Construction/modernization of conference facilities in counties ● Rehabilitation, strengthening, and modernization of the county service centers across the country ● Enhancement of inclusive and gender responsive local economic development ● Digitization and institutionalization of performance management System across the country ● Awareness creation on occupational health and safety protocols in the Civil Service ● Implementation of a unified legal identity system National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 133 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 30: Peace and Reconciliation Objective: Foster social cohesion and healing in post-conflict society. This involves promoting dialogue among diverse communities to address grievances and build mutual trust. The AAID endeavors to implement initiatives that support conflict resolution, justice, and inclusivity, to ensure that marginalized groups have a voice in the reconciliation process. Additionally, it seeks to strengthen institutions that uphold peace and security, mitigate violence, and promote human rights. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a stable and peaceful environment conducive to sustainable development and national unity. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Establish a war and economic ● Improvement of civic education and awareness crimes court ● Enhancement of social cohesion and peaceful co-

2. Improve Liberia’s Social existence Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) rating from 6.6 ● Establishment and operationalization of the war and to 8.00 economic crimes court ● Strengthening community engagement on non-violent approaches ● Strengthening early warning response system 134 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.4.3. Strategic Policy 17: Foreign Affairs Strategic Objective: Foster international partnerships, enhance diplomatic relations, and attract foreign investments. This includes promoting sustainable development through collaboration with global organizations and neighboring countries. Strengthening trade relations, ensuring national security, and advocating for Liberia’s interests on the international stage would also be key objectives. Additionally, the AAID emphasizes participation in global forums to address issues such as climate change, health, and education, ultimately contributing to Liberia’s socio-economic growth and stability while enhancing its reputation and influence in the international community. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a purposeful and strategic foreign affairs regime. Figure 53: Strategic Policy 17 goals by 2029 100% Effective accession to the Continental Increase of visa for Free Trade Zone tourism purposes completed Increase Liberia's visibility across Increase by borders 50% 15% the number of Increase of visa for Liberians working business purposes in international Compliance organizations with the 1st assessment for graduation from LIC to MIC Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 135 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s Foreign Policy is firmly rooted in its political In the pursuit of its foreign policy goals and objectives, ideology of liberalism, democracy and capitalism. the government will continue to improve the Generally speaking, the guiding principles of Liberia’s country’s foreign relation by strengthening bilateral, Foreign Policy has been the maintenance of national multilateral, global, and regional cooperation. security and the preservation of the territorial integrity In terms of the commitments, the country, through and sovereignty of the country, the promotion of the President, the Chief Architect of the Country’s peace and harmony based on the principle of non- Foreign Policy shall ensure adequate representations interference in the internal affairs of other states, of the foreign missions with qualified and competent and unity in the international community based on personnel. The Government shall further ensure the virtue of liberal democracy. Key aspects of the that Liberia’s national values, strategic economic county’s foreign policy have included: interest, and national security strategy inform the ● National Security and Sovereignty: with the country’s foreign policy. Foreign policy decisions objectives of maintaining national security and will be codified to avoid discrepancies and double the preservation of territorial integrity. standards that are counterproductive. Liberia shall ● Peace and Harmony: the maintenance of which maintain good relations with her neighbors and the is based on the principle of non-interference in international community as long as the relationship is the internal affairs of other states; not detrimental to the country’s national security and ● Economic, Social, and Political Development: economic interest. building and consolidating relations aimed at stimulating the economic, social, and political landscapes ● Diplomacy: which is the country’s ability to master the art of diplomacy, thus, navigating challenges posed by external aggression and maintaining its statehood. ● International designing and Cooperation: effecting appropriate strategies for mutual benefits, emphasizing win-win cooperation approach. 136 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 31: Liberia in the International Context Objective: Enhance the nation’s global presence and influence. This involves strengthening diplomatic ties, participating actively in regional and international organizations, and engaging in multilateral agreements that promote peace and security. Liberia aims to attract foreign investment and ODA to accelerate economic growth and infrastructure development. Additionally, it seeks to advocate for sustainable development goals, address climate change, and promote human rights. By strategically positioning itself as a cooperative and responsible member of the global community, Liberia can foster partnerships that drive national progress and stability. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Increase the issuance of ● Improvement of the Liberian political influence at the touristic and business visas international level by 30% ● Exploration of the potential of bilateral and multilateral

2. Increase investments from the agreements Liberian Diaspora by 20% ● Increasing the participation of Liberians in international

3. Increase the number of organizations Liberians in international organizations by 15% ● Improvement of economic diplomacy with a focus on agribusiness, tourism, and mining business

4. Domesticate all signed global and regional legal opportunities instruments PROGRAM 32: Diplomatic and Consular Services Objective: Enhance the country’s international representation and protect its citizens abroad. This involves strengthening diplomatic missions to foster bilateral and multilateral relationships, promoting trade and investment opportunities, and advocating for Liberia’s interests on the global stage. Additionally, the AAID aims to ensure efficient consular support for Liberians traveling or residing overseas, including assistance with legal matters and emergencies. By building a robust diplomatic framework, Liberia seeks to enhance its global standing, secure strategic partnerships, and promote its national development objectives effectively. Key targets by 2029: Key interventions:

1. Develop and operationalize ● Enhancement of diplomatic representation abroad E-visa system and services ● Development and operationalization of E-Visa system

2. Decrease the time for and services consular services by 50% ● Improvement of the Sector’s Institutional Capacity

3. Implement a unified legal identity system for passport ● Support with the implementation of a unified legal issues identity system for passport purposes

4. Increase engagement with ● Strengthening the engagement with the Liberian the Liberian diaspora Diaspora and explore their potential National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 137 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.5. PILLAR 5: ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY Strategic Goal: Promote responsible management of natural resources, protect biodiversity, and enhance resilience to environmental and climate changes, while fulfilling the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions, supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life for citizens. This pillar highlights measures to be taken to ensure that the environment is protected by the strict application of existing laws, policies and global conventions. It also identifies actions to be undertaken to remedy the situation for restoring the environment in a sustainable manner. 138 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia has approximately 4.5 million hectares of tropical rainforest that comprises 43 percent of the remaining Upper Guinea Forest Ecosystem of West Africa. Most of Liberia’s rural population depend on forest resources and ecosystem services. Liberia has established five (5) Protected Areas (PAs) to conserve at least 30 percent of its total forestland. This is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to safeguarding a portion of its rich forest resources and biodiversity as required by the National Forestry Reform Law of 2006. To achieve this goal, seven (7) additional Proposed Protected Areas (PPAs) have been designated for PA status, thereby creating a network of diverse conservation landscapes across the country. Economic resources such as land and forests are crucial drivers of socio-economic development, particularly in rural communities. The Forest Concession and Community Forestry Law provide pathways for increased participation by communities in these sectors. However, barriers such as limited land ownership rights, insecure land tenure, and restrictive social norms and traditional practices threaten women’s full participation. Post-conflict reforms have attempted to address these issues through significant legislation, including the National Forestry Reform Law of 2006 and the Community Rights Law of 2009. These laws were integral to the lifting of UN sanctions imposed due to the country’s civil conflict. The Forestry Reform Law sets guidelines for forest resource management, while the Community Rights Law empowers communities to own and manage forests and related resources. While these reforms resulted in some progress, challenges persist. According to Forest Trends on Liberia Forest Concession Review (2024), high rates of noncompliance with the laws undermine their effectiveness, and land-related conflicts—both communal and individual— threaten Liberia’s peace and stability. In addition, mining, especially for gold, diamonds, and iron ore, has caused deforestation and land degradation, pollution of water bodies, and destruction of wildlife habitat. Logging, charcoal production, and chainsawing exacerbate deforestation. Besides, drainage and water bodies are commonly used for disposal of garbage and human waste. These human activities cause land and soil degradation, water pollution, wildlife habitat destruction, and sedimentation in water bodies. The current deforestation rate in Liberia is 30,000 hectares per year, with logging, conversion for agriculture, and mining being the main culprits. From 2013 to 2023, 96 percent of tree cover loss in Liberia occurred within natural forests. The total loss within the natural forest was equivalent to 1.09 Gt of CO₂ emissions. Addressing deforestation and forest degradation and increasing ecosystem restoration present valuable opportunities to generate economic incentives for conservation and restoration. These opportunities include generating and selling carbon credits, as well as establishing systems, such as payments for ecosystem services, to support communities and businesses implementing activities on the ground. Liberia is home to some of West Africa’s most diverse flora (plants) and fauna (animals). However, construction of human habitats, deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion threaten the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 139 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID country’s biodiversity . Illegal hunting and poaching of wildlife further exacerbate this problem, putting several endangered species at risk of extinction. The loss of biodiversity not only affects wildlife but also impacts the ecosystems that provide critical services, such as water purification, soil fertility, and climate regulation. Soil and coastal erosion are another major environmental issue in Liberia, particularly in low- lying areas along the coast. Rising sea levels, and human activities such as sand mining, have accelerated the rate of coastal erosion. Major coastal cities are vulnerable to flooding and land loss, this vulnerability threatens infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods. Coastal erosion also impacts ecosystems such as mangroves, which are crucial spawning sites for fishes, habitat for biodiversity, and act as natural buffers against storm surges. Wetlands drain urban areas are prone to flooding, particularly during the rainy season. Inadequate drainage systems, poor urban planning, and the dumping of waste in waterways have made flooding a recurring issue, resulting in property damage, displacement of people, and health risks for urban residents. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of flooding events. Solid waste management also remains a huge problem nationwide and is more accentuated in Monrovia than in other parts of the country. Approximately 1,300 tons of solid waste is generated daily, primarily from urban areas, with Monrovia alone accounting for about 600 tons daily (UN- Habitat, 2018). The waste composition includes organic waste (60-70%), plastics (10-15%), and metals, paper, and hazardous materials. It is estimated that only about 40 percent of solid waste generated is collected in urban areas, while the rate of solid waste collection is even lower in rural areas (World Bank, 2019). It is estimated that less than 10 percent of households benefit from organized waste management services in rural areas. Waste management is poor, primarily due to limited resources and investment. Most waste produced is dumped in open sites, including the streets, and drainages, or burned. Monrovia has extremely limited formal landfill sites. The city’s largest Landfill at Whein Town can no longer withstand the volume of solid waste, thereby creating environmental problems. Inadequacies in waste management are largely characterized by a shortage of waste management infrastructure such as collection vehicles and disposal facilities with a few old and overwhelmed transfer stations. Meanwhile, private sector investment in solid waste is low and the bulk of the burden for waste management is left to the government. While in some communities, local initiatives and NGOs have started to fill gaps in service provision, such efforts are not widespread. Many households cannot afford to pay for private waste collection, hence they often result in unhealthy and environmentally harmful methods of waste disposal or they leave the burden with the government. On the other hand, Liberia’s market for Improved Cook Stoves (ICS) is still in its early stages, with limited access to affordable cooking gas, mainly in urban areas. The government has committed to providing 580,000 ICS by 2030, thus reducing emissions through cleaner cooking energy. The country anticipates aligning with these goals, emphasizing the importance of protecting forests, improving health, and promoting culturally relevant technologies. It should also ensure a just transition, supporting traditional biomass while encouraging sustainable forest management and local stove production to create jobs and livelihoods. 140 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 5: Environmental sustainability and Development Filters To effectively implement programs under the Environmental Sustainability pillar, a all-inclusive approach will be employed he strategy will be guided by the following key development filters: Youth and Children: Cultivate environmental awareness and responsibility among young people and children by promoting educational programs that emphasize sustainable practices and environmental protection. Gender: Promote inclusive environmental practices by ensuring women, youth, and girls have equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from sustainability initiatives. Address gender- specific challenges to empower women in environmental decision-making and access to green jobs. Vulnerable Groups: Ensure that environmental policies and service delivery address the unique needs of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities and marginalized communities, by prioritizing accessibility, inclusivity, and equity in sustainability frameworks. Employment: Promote employment in the under this pillar through reskilling and upskilling for women and other underrepresented groups, enhancing working conditions, and creating pathways for sustainable career advancement in environmental fields. Formalization: Ensure registration and regulatory processes to support the formalization of small- scale environmental enterprises. Establish frameworks that encourage sustainable practices, reduce environmental risks, and deter harmful practices within informal sectors. Climate: Integrate climate actions into environmental governance by developing and enforcing legal frameworks that protect natural resources, support climate resilience, and ensure that climate adaptation and mitigation efforts are equitable and benefit all communities. Complementarity: Foster collaboration among government, private sector, and civil society to support cross-sectoral initiatives that address complex environmental challenges, leverage resources, and promote accountability in sustainability efforts. Business Environment: Create a transparent, secure business environment that encourages sustainable investments and practices. Implement reforms that support eco-friendly business operations, enhance regulatory compliance, and promote long-term environmental and economic stability. Digitalization: Enable better data collection, monitoring, and management of natural resources. It supports informed decision-making, enhances community engagement, and promotes transparency in conservation efforts. By integrating technology, Liberia can effectively address environmental challenges, protect biodiversity, and foster sustainable practices for future generations. Peace and Reconciliation: Encourage collaboration, enabling communities to address environmental challenges, such as deforestation, soil degradation, and pollution, with a united approach. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 141 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.5.1. Strategic Policy 18: Climate Change Strategic Objective: Develop strategies that enhance climate resilience while reducing GHG emissions from all sources, increasing carbon sinks, and promoting sustainable development. This involves enhancing adaptation capacities of communities to cope with climate-related challenges, such as rising temperatures and extreme weather events. It also involves interventions that reduce GHG emissions and enhance carbon sinks. The initiative aims to integrate climate considerations into national policies and sectoral plans, encouraging sustainable land use, conservation efforts, renewable energy, and solid waste management. Government will foster partnerships with local and international stakeholders, to secure funding and technical support for climate initiatives, ultimately ensuring a sustainable future for its citizens and ecosystems. Significant outcomes shall be derived from purposeful and strategic climate change initiatives. Figure 54: Strategic Policy 18 goals by 2029 Forest Landscape Integrity Index 52/172 Notre Dame 57/172 (2019) Notre Dame Global Adaptation Vulnerability Index Initiative 160/187 150/187 Environmental 158/187 (2023) 167/187 (2023) Performance Index 155/180 161/180 (2024) Notre Dame Readiness Index 160/187 166/187 (2023) Source: MFDP 142 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Climate change poses the greatest threat to the National Communication, 2021). Emissions from the environment globally and in Liberia. As GHG Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land-Use sectors are concentrations rise, so does the global surface the biggest contributors, accounting for 54 percent of temperature, causing more severe storms, increased total emissions, followed by the Energy sector at 20 droughts and freshwater stress, flooding, warming, percent, the Industrial Processes Product Use sector and rising ocean levels, among other impacts. at 19 percent, and the Waste sector contributing 7 Climate change also leads to loss of species and percent of total emissions. If no new climate change migration of species, including fish, reduction in food mitigation measures are implemented, Liberia’s net and cash crop yield, and major health risks, such as GHG emissions are projected to increase by 59.3 heat stress, increases in mosquito-borne diseases percent by 2050. and malnutrition, all of which impact economic For Liberia to successfully combat climate change, development, increase poverty, displace people, and deliberate actions set out in the National Policy and result in climate-induced deaths. Response Strategy for Climate Change, the Nationally According to UNDP (2019), findings of climate risk Determined Contribution (NDC), the National assessment confirm that climate change is negatively Adaptation Plan (NAP), the National Biodiversity impacting the productivity of the agriculture, forestry, Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and other national and fisheries sectors and their supply chains in Liberia. and sectoral documents need to be taken at sectoral For example, climate impacts and hazards impact the and all levels of society in collaborative partnership agriculture sector through increased crop loss/failure with stakeholders in the country as well as through due to extreme weather events, warmer temperatures, international Multilateral Environmental Agreements droughts, floods, changing rainfall patterns and (MEAs) that Liberia is a party to, such as the UN distributions, increased pests, weeds, and pathogens Convention on Biological Diversity. which result in food insecurity and loss of livelihoods The government of Liberia, through the Environmental in some communities. Protection Agency (EPA) is working with its partners Globally, Liberia’s contribution to climate change to put in place measures to respond to climate is almost negligible, but GHG emissions are rising change challenges. The AAID strategies to combat due to factors such as population growth and climate change are aligned to the aforementioned deforestation. In 2015, Liberia’s net GHG emissions frameworks. amounted to 5,695.16Gg CO2e (Liberia’s Second National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 143 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 33: Environmental Governance Objective: Ensure the effective management, regulation, and protection of the environment and climate change action through a robust legal and institutional framework. Environmental governance aims to promote sustainable development, address climate change, enforce environmental laws, engage stakeholders, build human and institutional capacity, and ensure that environmental policies are integrated into broader development strategies to achieve economic, social, and environmental goals. Key targets by 2029:

1. Decentralize the Environment Protection Agency Services

2. Strengthen the environmental legal and regulatory framework and its enforcement

3. Increase by 50% the number of recycling business operators

4. Increase DRM by at least US$ 500,000 by monetizing climate assets

5. Develop the 2025 NDC with ambitious 2035 targets

6. Ensure implementation of the NDCs

7. Achieve full compliance of at least 75% of registered corporations to sustainable production patterns Key interventions: ● Expansion, decentralization and modernization of environmental services ● Increasing the coverage and accuracy of the national GHG inventory and ensuring that it includes carbon stocks ● Support the development of innovative financing models to mobilize climate and biodiversity resources ● Construction and equipment of institutional facilities and Climate Change Early Response Center ● Strengthening environmental legal and regulatory framework in compliance with the NDC. ● Strengthen institutional and human capacity to implement, coordinate, and enforce environmental policies and plans ● Promotion of the circular economy 144 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 34: Forestry, Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration Objective: Ensure sustainable management of forests including their productive utilization for economic gains, the effective conservation, and restoration of Liberia’s ecosystems prioritizing those most vulnerable to climate change impacts and recognizing their role in providing crucial ecosystem services for the economy, supporting livelihoods, promoting biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and contributing to economic development. Key targets by 2029:

1. Reduce the national deforestation rate by 50%

2. Restore at least 10,000 ha of degraded forestlands including coastal wetlands and mangrove ecosystems

3. Catalogue 100% of water catchments in forest areas

4. Increase urban canopy cover in 5 cities (Paynesville, Monrovia, Buchanan, Gbarnga and Gompa) to 50%

5. Strengthen and enforce forest regulations

6. Plant 2,000,000 trees along major roads in six counties

7. Increase the sustainable production of value-added wood products by 20% Key interventions: ● Management of National Parks and improvement of land use planning around Protected Areas (PAs) and Proposed Protected Areas (PPAs) ● Gazettement of proposed protected areas (feasibility studies) ● Expansion of marine and coastal ecosystem protection services ● Conservation of terrestrial inland water and coastal and marine areas ● Restoration of degraded forestlands and increasing urban canopy and the planting of additional trees in green corridors ● Implementation of the National REDD+ Strategy ● Implementation of reforestation including mangroves and afforestation activities in degraded areas ● Improvement of national programs and policies to enhance forest carbon stocks in line with the NDC ● Reduction of human-wildlife conflict and halting human-induced extinction of threatened species ● Conservation and protection of water catchments around hydropower and municipal water supply sources. ● Sustainable management of coastal erosion ● Expansion and modernization of the FTI compass. ● Development of environmentally sustainable wood value chain ● Promotion of sustainable community forest management, including guidelines for sustainable resource extraction ● Restoration of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 145 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 35: Renewable Energy Objective: Create a sustainable energy future for Liberia by increasing access to safe and affordable energy and fuel sources, while reducing GHG emissions and reducing the risk and vulnerability of climate change impacts on the energy sector. Renewable energy focuses on promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions, ensuring that renewable energy development minimizes negative impacts on ecosystems and communities. Climate-smart cooking fuels ensure that households have access to safe and affordable energy, while improving air quality and reducing the health and environmental impacts of traditional fuel. Key targets by 2029:

1. Strengthen regulatory framework for renewable energy

2. Increase renewable energy supply by 20%

3. Support at least 500 small and medium enterprises with renewable energy solutions

4. Support with renewable energy to more than 160,000 households and public social infrastructures

5. Increase private sector off-grid and community-based renewable energy solutions by 10%

6. Support adoption of more than 200,000 affordable improved cook stoves (ICS) by households Key interventions: ● Strengthening the regulatory framework for renewable energy ● Increasing rural renewable energy supply ● Supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with renewable energy solutions ● Promoting private sector off-grid and community-based renewable energy solutions ● Establishment and promotion of a robust national program on solar energy and other energy- efficient lighting technologies. ● Implementation of a resilient energy generation mix plan ● Development of off-grid small hydropower plants (HPP) and on-grid ones ● Promoting and supporting the development and utilization of private sector off-grid solutions and community-based solutions, including off-grid/mini-grids ● Reconnection of Monrovia clients to the national grid ● Supporting the adoption of cleaner cooking technologies, particularly ICS 146 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 36: Solid Waste Management Objective: Improve the sustainability and efficiency of the solid waste management system to minimize environmental impacts and promote alternative uses for waste, including recycling and reuse. Investing in robust waste management systems is essential for achieving sustainable development and improving overall societal well-being. Proper waste management can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills and waste treatment processes, contributing to climate change mitigation. Waste management can generate economic opportunities through recycling, composting, and energy recovery, creating jobs and stimulating local economies. Efficient waste disposal minimizes health risks by controlling disease vectors and reducing exposure to hazardous substances. The AAID aims at sustainably improving solid waste management for the overall benefit of Liberia. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase waste transfer stations by 10%

2. Develop two new landfill sites

3. Increase waste recycling rates by 25%

4. Increase by 50% the number of recycling business operators

5. Develop small-scale composting of market waste with a production of 500 t/year each. Key interventions: ● Rehabilitation, expansion and modernization of key waste management infrastructure and services including transfer stations and final disposal facilities. ● Development of a landfill gas recovery system at Cheesemanburg Landfill. ● Supporting the participation of the private sector in waste management. ● Supporting the increase of waste-to-energy initiatives. ● Supporting the transformation of urban waste into compost manure ● Improvement of healthcare waste management practices and reducing waste incineration ● Promotion of private-public partnership (PPP) and other ventures that attract financing for infrastructure investments in the waste sector. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 147 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6. PILLAR 6: HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT StraStrategic Goal: Develop a skilled, knowledgeable, healthy and empowered population, to drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. It involves improving access to quality education and vocational training, promoting health and nutrition, and reducing vulnerability, inequality, and inequities facing disadvantaged groups. 148 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Investing in people is essential for achieving long-term growth and competitive advantage. It provides the knowledge, skills, and health that people need to lead the lives they value and to contribute positively to society. Access to the choices for human development is not only a benefit for the individual and society, but it is also a basic human right, recognized under the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is universally recognized by all countries, including Liberia. Human rights include the right to health, education, safe drinking water and sanitation, and sexual and reproductive health, among others. By all measures, Liberia is at a low level of human development. Based on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) 2023/24 report, Liberia has a low score (0.487) and an unsatisfactory global ranking (177 of 193 countries), and 17 of the 33 countries categorized under the lowest level of human development in the world. This state of human development implies that a vast majority of the population is unable to enjoy long and healthy lives, access quality education, receive social protection, or acquire decent jobs. Though efforts have been made over the years in the fight against poverty, it is still high. Liberia’s multi- dimensional poverty index reduced by 26.2 percentage points from 71.2 percent in 2013 to 45.0 percent in 2022 (LPHC, 2022). Seventy-two percent of rural households are MPI poor compared to 22.5 percent of their urban counterparts which reflects a huge socioeconomic divide between urban. The largest contributor to multidimensional poverty is deprivations in living conditions (42.8%), followed by health (40.1%) and education (17.1 %). The disaggregation of MPI index reveals that deprivations vary across gender and locality of residence. Both the poverty rate and intensity for male-headed households are higher than that of their female counterparts. This implies that male-headed households are the most deprived. Male-headed households are multi- dimensionally poor by 46.5 percent compared to 42.3 percent of female-headed households (LPHC, 2022). In the same vein, the intensity of poverty among male-headed households is marginally higher at 58.7 percent, compared with 56.0 percent for the female-headed counterparts. At the county level, the highest pockets of poverty are observed in River Cess (76.9%), Gbarpolu (72.0%), Grand Bassa (67.9%), Grand Kru (63.9%), Bong (63.0%), Lofa (62.9%) and Sinoe (62.2%) way above the national average of 45 percent; while only Margibi (42.9%) and Montserrado (20.5%) reveal poverty rates below the national average. Deficits in the living standards lead to the highest deprivation in the population for both females and males in rural and urban areas. In areas where deprivation is highest, there is limited or no clean cooking fuel, electricity access, basic asset ownership, sanitation, and safe drinking water. The rural population is further deprived of access to health facilities, and maintaining children in school is also a challenge. All these factors combined reinforce each other to constrain human capital development. Table 8 presents multi-dimensional poverty. Education, health, and social statistics reveal that while progress has been made over the last 15 or more years in advancing human capital development, the country is still far from reaching key global targets. Approximately a third of the population (33.1%) is illiterate, while, according to the Ministry of Education (MoE), the net enrollment ratio is 46.3 percent (Education Statistics, 2021-2022). Access to healthcare is only around 70 percent (MoH, 2023) nationally, while maternal mortality stands at 742 per every 100,000 live births. The health system is still fragile due to the destructive effects of the past civil conflict, the strain from the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in 2014-2015, and the Corona Virus Disease pandemic in 2020 – 2 021. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 149 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID There has been mixed progress in gender parity and social inclusion. For instance, gender parity has been achieved at the primary school level, while disparities still exist at the upper school levels and between girls in urban areas, compared to those in rural areas. Research shows that girls’ dropout rates are lower in primary school but increase in high school, often due to factors like sexual harassment, teenage pregnancy, poverty, etc. which need to be decisively tackled by stakeholders. Additionally, the female literacy rate is 54.6 percent, while the male literacy rate is 65.1 percent. (LPHC, 2022). In terms of tertiary education, only 3 percent of females have completed higher education, compared to 5.7 percent of males. Political participation and participation at all levels of decision-making still massively favors men over women, with Liberia lying at 78 of 156 on the 2024 Gender Gap Index, despite having had a female President and Vice President. With regard to PWDs, significant disparities in education access for people with disabilities exist. Statistics indicate that among those with some form of disability, 45 percent of males and 61 percent of females have never attended school. The situation is worse for individuals with severe disabilities, where 37 percent of males and 54 percent of females have never attended school. Additionally, location-based disparities show that 48.8 percent of urban dwellers with disabilities are literate, compared to only 30.5 percent of rural dwellers To address these challenges, the government will engage in transformational endeavors that will facilitate a giant leap in human capital development. These will involve several strategic initiatives and partnerships seeks to improve education, health, skills training, and empower and provide social protect for women, PWDs and vulnerable population. Strengthening the networks of community health volunteers and education sector volunteers will help increase awareness on the availability and use of community health facilities and fill the gaps in education and health services provision. Table 8: Multi-dimensional poverty Dimension/Indicator Male Female Urban Rural National

1. Education Household School attainment 22.7 25.9 13.1 36.9 23.8 Children school attendance 31.8 29.2 18.7 45.4 30.8 Access to Primary School 12.8 9.7 4.5 20.5 11.7

2. Health Access to health facility 31.3 26.6 11.7 51.4 29.7

3. Living Condition Electricity 61.7 61.5 42.4 85 61.7 Safe drinking water 32.1 28.2 23.4 39.6 30.7 Clean cooking fuel 97.5 97.8 96.2 99.3 97.6 improved sanitation 44.9 40.7 20 71.8 43.4 Improved floor material 37.3 34.2 12.3 65.2 36.2 Mattress 15.7 16.9 7.1 27.1 16.2 Radio 49 59.7 45 62.3 52.8 Cell phone 36 37.6 19.1 57.8 36.6 150 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Box 6: Human Capital Development and Development Filters To successfully implement programs within the Human Capital Development pillar, an inclusive approach will be adopted, guided by the following key development filters: Youth and Children: Expansion of early childhood development and child health programs, ensuring access to essential resources like school feeding, healthcare services and protective measures to enhance learning environments. This foundational support aims to improve educational outcomes and promote holistic development from an early age. Gender: Strengthening policies that promote inclusion of women, girls and other vulnerable groups in accessing healthcare, education, leadership etc. This includes measures to break down barriers in education and healthcare service to ensure that women and girls have equal opportunities for skill development and essential services like men and boys. Vulnerable Groups: Ensuring that educational and health policies and school and health facilities are inclusive and meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations, including children with disabilities and those from marginalized communities. Prioritizing inclusivity will help create an equitable learning environment for all. Employment: Strengthening labor standards to protect workers’ rights, while expanding job opportunities in the economy targeting the youth, women and PWDs. Focus will be on increasing health and school female workers recruitment, provision of targeted skills training, improving working conditions, and establishing pathways for sustainable career growth in both sectors. Formalization: Facilitate inclusive registration of Liberian micro, small and medium sized enterprises, nurture them through provision of business development services and transition into the formal economy. Climate change: This will entail promoting climate-smart interventions in health, education, WASH, and empowerment initiatives. Further, implementation will adopt of climate justice principles by developing and enforcing legal frameworks that support climate resilience and ensure equitable benefits from climate adaptation efforts across communities. Complementarity: Interventions and efforts should reinforce each other for economy-wide impact. WASH, agriculture, energy interventions among others should aim at accelerating education and health outcomes. Business Environment: the desired results of development outcomes to ensure a conducive transparent, secure business environment that attracts sustainable investments and practices. Reforms that support eco-friendly and ethical business operations, thereby contributing to both economic growth and environmental resilience will be implemented. Digitalization: To accelerate achievement of desired results, digital technologies will be embedded in education, health, businesses, social protection etc. By leveraging technology, Liberia can build a skilled workforce, drive economic growth, and empower individuals to contribute to national development. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 151 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6.1. Strategic Policy 19: Education Strategic Objective: Ensure access to equitable, gender-responsive, and disability-inclusive education, improved quality and relevant teaching and learning, and enhanced efficiency and management capacity of all education stakeholders. This aimed at increasing the stock and the quality of human capital needed to drive economic transformation. The government and education partners will ensure equitable access to quality education for all citizens, including vulnerable groups. In addition, students will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge that meet labor market demands and support national development. Significant outcomes shall be derived from strategic education initiatives. Figure 55: Strategic Policy 20 goals by 2029 Liberian Universities among top 300 in Africa 1 <200 (2023) Adult literacy Drop off rate for all (15-49 years) levels reduced by 80♂/60♀ 10% Human Capital 65.9/52.3 (2022) Index 0.37 Students with special needs 0.32 (2020) Youth TVET enrolled at all completion rate levels 80% 10% 53% (2023) Budget allocation <1% (2023) to education & training 18% 14% (2023) Source: MFDP 152 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Liberia’s education system is slowly recovering from in the service lack basic professional training and the devastating impacts of 14 years of conflict. Progress access to continuous professional development made over a decade of the post-war era was derailed opportunities. Approximately, 36 percent of all by the Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016 and again by teachers are untrained and do not meet the minimum the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered significant requirements for teaching, starting from a “C” learning losses with a disproportionate impact on Certificate. The student-to-qualified teacher ratio is the most vulnerable groups (girls and students with alarming at 69 to 1. Quality education is affected by disabilities). It is estimated that these pandemics poor teaching methods, outdated learning materials, undercut household spending on education by up and are not focused on critical thinking and problem- to 12 percent, posing an additional barrier to getting solving. Quality is also affected by the poor condition children into school, keeping them there, and helping of physical facilities and the inadequacy of essential them learn. Improvements in education outcomes school resources that support learning. Only half are integral to the human capital development that (49.8%) of all 56,736 classrooms across all levels of the Liberia urgently needs. education system are complete solid structures, while only a third (33%) are fenced. Within these structures, In 2021, about 1.4 million students were enrolled in only two-thirds (66%) have hand-washing facilities. 6,249 public, community, faith-based, and private The school infrastructure is not inclusive enough to schools served by around 71,000 teachers. The gross accommodate learners with visual, hearing, cognitive, enrollment rate (GER) is 76 percent, 61 percent, and 46 and physical impairments, and these perpetuate percent in early childhood education (ECE), primary, inequities in service delivery (ESP 2022-2027). and junior and senior secondary, respectively. Around 39 percent of all enrolled students attended public Girls’ progression in education is in part hindered by schools, with the remaining attending faith-based, social norms and gendered barriers, including a low private or community schools. Public schools cater to proportion of female teachers, school-related gender- about 45 percent and 38 percent of students enrolled based violence (SRGBV), and inadequate WASH in ECE and primary education, respectively. facilities. Only 20 percent of lower basic education teachers are women, a situation that denies girls role The share of students enrolled in public schools is models in their formative years in schools. High SRGBV lower in the junior and senior secondary levels (32 rates, with one in five students affected (IFRC, 2024) percent and 30 percent, respectively). Across all and insufficient single-sex WASH facilities further levels, the share of enrolled students attending public exacerbate girls’ progression in school. Compounded schools has decreased since 2015. While boys and girls by the challenge of high incidences of early marriages have similar levels of access to primary education, and domestic work dynamics the most affected is the girls have lower retention and transition rates across poorest rural girl child, with 57 percent lacking formal all levels, resulting in a 14-percentage point gender education and only 2 percent attending secondary gap in enrollment in the last year of senior secondary school., with 57 percent lacking formal education and (World Bank Group Liberia, 2024). Locality is also only 2 percent attending secondary school. a strong determinant of access. Students in rural areas are 11 percent less likely to access first grade Technical and Vocational Education and Training and experience lower retention rate, leading to a (TVET) aimed at skilling the youth is unevenly difference of 25 percentage points between rural and distributed. In 2019/20, formal TVET schools comprise urban enrollment in the final year of senior secondary. of 49 percent of all institutions, with 47 percent private and 37 percent public. Only 10 and 6 percent At all levels of the system, the quality of education are faith-based and community-based respectively. is a major concern. Schools not only lack an Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are similarly adequate number of teachers but many of those unevenly distributed, with 10 of 15 counties having National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 153 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID access and mostly located in Montserrado. Despite Despite progress in the education sector, persistent a 53 percent enrollment increase from 2016/17 to challenges that impede the delivery of quality 2020/21, concerns arise about the capacity to handle services include: low learning outcomes; over-age future growth. enrolment at the early childhood education and primary education levels; and disparities in access The education financing landscape in Liberia reveals and completion at the basic education level resulting that while the government is the major financier, its in large shares of out-of-school children, overaged total spending is still less than is desirable. Education learners and lower retention; inadequately trained and spending represents 2.6 percent of GDP (2021) and inequitable distribution of teachers; and inadequate has remained unchanged since 2013—ranking management and accountability systems at the school Liberia fifth from the bottom in Sub-Saharan Africa, and district levels (DoD Study, 2024; ESP, 2022-2027). where the average is 3.2 percent (World Bank Group In addition, schools lack some basic facilities such as Liberia, 2024). The share of public expenditure on electricity and toilets, and there is inequity between education is 13.8 percent, well below the target of counties (and between the urban and rural areas) in 20 percent of the education partnership compact. the allocation of education inputs such as classrooms, Government spending on children and youth and inclusive teaching and learning materials. attending public schools accounts for 57 percent of Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable total education spending, whilst household spending to being out of school due to the limited availability on public schooling and development partners’ of special and inclusive learning environments and financing account for 24 percent and 19 percent of education services (World Bank Group Liberia, 2024). spending, respectively. Households’ spending on public schooling is particularly high in primary and secondary education (35% and 33% of total spending respectively), where spending primarily goes toward school fees (e.g., registration, graduation, and examination fees), uniforms, and books. 154 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 37: Educational Institution Management Objective: Ensure that educational institutions operate effectively and efficiently, provide high-quality education including technical and vocational training, and foster a conducive learning environment. Effective school management plays a critical role in enhancing educational outcomes, promoting student development, and supporting the overall goals of the education system. The AAID seeks to improve school quality standards and ensure that schools and education institutions provide a healthy, safe, and protective learning environment for all, and increase training and pathways in STEM and digital education with the objective of developing a capable workforce equipped with skills and scientific literacy for the 21st century. Key targets by 2029:

1. Enhance all managerial staff capacity

2. Enhance 20% of teachers’ capacity to deliver gender and disability transformative education

3. Increase recruitment of female psychosocial and career counselors at all levels by 40 percent

4. Prove relevant STEM equipment 50% of upper basic and secondary schools

5. Equip 30% of TVET centers and HEIs have functioning IT infrastructure

6. Train 1,400 school principals, and administrative staff in leadership, management and accountability Key interventions: ● Enhancement of school management capacity ● Strengthening teachers’ capacity to deliver gender and disability transformative education ● Recruitment and deployment of female psychosocial and career counselors at all levels. ● Implementation of skill-based health education and strengthening the role of girls’ and boys’ health clubs ● Provision of relevant STEM equipment to upper basic and secondary schools ● Equipment of TVET centers and HEIs with IT infrastructure, including internet connectivity and computers ● Strengthening enforcement of the code of conduct to tackle school-related GBV in education institutions at all levels National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 155 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 38: Teacher Capacity Objective: Ensure the deployment of a functional, qualified, and motivated teaching workforce. This entails the enhancement of teachers’ professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions that enable them to plan, deliver, and reflect on effective instruction. This will be carried out through a multifaceted approach, including: supporting teachers’ continuous professional development, teacher training colleges, and provision of adequate incentives such as absorbing long-serving qualified volunteers into the Government’s remuneration system. Enhancement of the skills and knowledge of educators effectively equips them and prepares them to deliver high-quality instructions and supports student learning. Key targets by 2029:

1. Provide in-service training to 15,800 teachers (continuous professional development –CPD)

2. Provide incentive payment to 1,400 teachers in rural hard-to-reach and hard-to- stay areas

3. Provide National Trade Test certificate to 1,500 TVET trainers

4. Professionalize 2,000 teachers through certification and licensing Key interventions: ● Undertaking teachers’ continuous professional development ● Provision of incentives to attract and support the deployment of qualified teachers in underserved areas ● Provision of incentives to professional education volunteers across the sector. ● Development and rolling out a system for teacher licensing. 156 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 39: School Facilities Objective: Create a safe, inclusive, and conducive learning environment to enhance access and equity in education service delivery. This is also intended to improve teacher productivity and effectiveness when imparting skills and knowledge to the learners. Quality school facilities play a crucial role in the delivery of education, affecting both the teaching and learning experiences. Besides, the quality of the infrastructure plays a role in advancing inclusion especially when it is responsive to gender and disability needs. In this regard, all interventions for the program on school facilities will be responsive to gender and PWDs. Key targets by 2029:

1. Improve 2,134 educational infrastructure at all levels

2. Support WASH interventions in 3,542 schools

3. Increase the rate of enrolment of learners with disabilities by 10%

4. Capacitate 18 TVET centers to offer level (1-7) programs 5. 100 senior secondary schools offering TVET streams

6. Exempt 1,000 PWD learners from school fees and provide school uniforms and bags Key interventions: ● Building, renovating or expanding inclusive and climate-resilient school infrastructure ● Supporting WASH and menstrual hygiene interventions in Schools ● Expansion and acquisition of instructional materials for PWDs ● Supporting children with learning disabilities ● Expansion and modernize of TVET facilities ● Equipment of school facilities with STEM equipment ● Provision of cash grants to the poorest students and students with disabilities. ● Subsidization of private schools in underserved areas unreached by public schools. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 157 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 40: Student Learning Capacity Objective: Enhance the ability of students to acquire, retain, and apply knowledge and skills effectively at the foundational level through the provision of gender-responsive teaching and learning materials (TLMs) that are aligned with the reformed national curriculum and inclusive of quality STEM, TVET, and digital programs that assess students on new curricula contents. This involves developing their cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities to foster holistic development and prepare them for future challenges. Improving student learning capacity is essential for achieving positive foundational educational outcomes and equipping students with skills needed for success in an increasingly complex world. In addition, the program provides gender and disability-responsive support mechanisms to increase students’ retention and boost their learning capability. Key targets by 2029:

1. Provide 382 schools with home grown school feeding

2. Provide all ECE schools with validated age-appropriate/play-based ECE curriculum

3. Achieve student to textbook ratio of 1:1

4. Provide 30% of students in Junior and Senior Secondary education with digital skills and STEM education examination

5. Provide more than 300,000 female students with inclusive hygiene education and products Key interventions: ● Provision of open-access, non-copyright textbooks for every child ● Development of a national learning assessment system for tracking early learning outcomes at Grades 3 and 6. ● Expansion of the school feeding and school health initiatives at foundational levels ● Expansion of training of comprehensive sexual education and menstrual hygiene ● Development of students digital skills ● Expansion and strengthening of accelerated learning for high school dropouts ● Development of special needs education policy ● Integration of digital technology (tablets) with teaching materials in secondary schools 158 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 41: Governance of the Educational System Objective: Improve education service delivery at all levels through strengthened management and supervision of the education system. This entails ensuring effective, accountable, and equitable management of education institutions and systems. Good governance in education is critical for promoting quality education, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring that resources are used efficiently and transparently. It involves the collaboration of various stakeholders, including government authorities, education institutions, teachers, students, parents, volunteers, and the community. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase gross enrollment to 1.7 million

2. Mainstream STEM projects at all appropriate levels

3. Revise the National Education Curriculum to meet the contemporary needs

4. Increase the number of women in leadership positions by 30% Key interventions: ● Enhancement of free and compulsory education in early, primary and secondary education ● Revision of academic curriculum to fit agribusiness and Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes/Catering (HORECA) content ● Establishment of the Liberia technical and vocational education training commission (LITCOM) ● Strengthening of the education system volunteers ● Increasing the number of women in leadership positions at school, district, county, and national levels ● Mainstreaming of STEM projects at all appropriate levels ● Implementation of the National Standards and Guidelines for Technical and Vocational Education Training in Liberia ● Improvement of management, governance, and accountability of the education system. ● Instituting continuous professional development for leaders, including school principals, and administrative staff. ● Strengthening the regulatory and operating framework for public–private partnerships in education. ● Integration of TVET streams in secondary schools National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 159 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 42: Higher Education Objective: Strengthen equitable access, quality, relevance, and governance of the higher education system to enhance the Liberian youth’s skill base. These endeavors to ensure that all young people in Liberia have access to relevant and quality higher education and employable skills. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are critical in fostering innovation, research, and civic engagement, thereby driving economic and social progress. In addition, they provide advanced learning opportunities that enhance knowledge, critical thinking, and skills necessary for personal development, professional advancement, and societal growth. Improving higher education governance and management systems is therefore an imperative to fostering for more effective service delivery. Key targets by 2029:

5. Increase STEM graduates by 25 percent

6. Develop agri-business and HORECA curriculum

7. Increase HEIs offering digital education to 70 percent of HEIs to offer digital technology programs

8. Exempt all students pursuing teaching profession at public universities

9. Increase scientific and technological research publications by 15 percent. Key interventions: ● Rationalization of academic courses to include Agribusiness and HORECA courses and training ● Improvement of the quality of higher education and the development of scientific and technological research ● Provision of free tuition for all teachers in training in Public Universities ● Creation of an enabling environment for healthy, safe, protective, and disability-inclusive access to higher education institutions ● Integration of digital technology in all HEI programs ● Establishment of collaboration with the private sector through public–private partnerships 160 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6.2. Strategic Policy 20: Health System Strategic Objective: Create a robust health system that addresses immediate health needs and promotes preventive The aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of all people in Liberia, through the delivery of quality health and nutrition services and ensuring sustainable financing, affordability, and health security. Generally, a strong health system is foundational for achieving broader development goals, improving quality of life, and fostering economic and social progress. Healthier individuals are more productive, contributing to economic growth. Reduced healthcare costs and increased workforce productivity positively impact the economy. Significant outcomes shall be derived from a robust health system. Figure 56: Strategic Policy 20 goals by 2029 Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000) 440 Under 5 Stunting 742 (2023) mortality (per 1,000) 20% 30% (2023) Life 47 expetancy 93 (2023) 63 Population access to basic 60 (2023) IHR Core Capacity health care services 60% 77% UHC Service 43.9% (2023) Coverage Index 80% 45% (2023) Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 161 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Over the last decade, significant strides have been 40 to 100 beds per facility. Currently, the John F. recorded in Liberia’s health sector despite the Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia is the only hospital in disruptions from Ebola and Covid-19. The number Liberia that provides tertiary-level healthcare. of health facilities increased by 22 percent between Despite improvements in several health and nutrition 2015 and 2020, from 656 to 806, resulting in a ratio outcomes, more efforts are required to achieve health of health facilities to population of 1 to 5,000 people. and nutrition-related SDG commitments. Between Liberia has a three-tier health system comprising 2007 and 2019, Liberia’s under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) health facilities at the primary, secondary, and reduced from 110 to 93 deaths per 1,000 live births, tertiary levels of healthcare. About 49.6 percent of while the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) reduced the health facilities are owned and managed by the from 1,072 to 742 deaths per 100,000 live births. Over government, while the remaining 50.3 percent are the same period, the prevalence of stunting among owned by private individuals and organizations. At under-5 children declined from 39 percent to 30 the primary healthcare level, clinics are the first point percent. Similarly, infant mortality reduced from 71 of entry to the health system and are designed to to 63. The prevalence of malaria, the leading cause provide outpatient and outreach services. However, of morbidity and mortality, also decreased from 32 the community health program which is an extension percent in 2009 to 10 percent in 2022, so has the of primary health care (PHC) serves as the linkage prevalence of HIV/AIDS fallen from a peak of 2.1 between the community and the PHC level and percent in 2000 to 1 percent in 2022. Table 9 shows provides some basic frontline services. The secondary Liberia-Key health indicator, 2000 –2019/2020. level comprises hospitals in districts, counties, and regions that provide inpatient services ranging from Table 9: Liberia – Key health indicators, 2000 – 2019/2020 Indicators 2000 2007 2009 2013 2019/20 Life expectancy at birth (years) 57 61 65 Maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 live births 578 994 -- 1,042 742 Neonatal mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 32 26 37 Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births 117 71 73 54 63 Under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births 194 110 114 94 93 % Children under five who are underweight 23% 19% -- 15% 11% Stunting 39% 32% 30% 30% Fertility rate 5.2 4.7 4.2 % of children (12-23 months) vaccinated (all antigens) 33% 39% 55% 51% % of births attended by skilled personnel 51% 46% 46% 61% 84.4% Source: NHSP (2022-2026) - (MoH NHO 2021) Despite the improvements in the quantity and quality Saharan Africa (0.40) and low-income countries (0.37). of health and nutrition services, Liberia is still among The low scores could be attributed to challenges the lowest countries in terms of health outcomes in the health sector which include: (i) substantial in the world (World Bank Group Liberia, 2024). The challenges in maternal, child, and adolescent UHC service coverage index in Liberia is currently health and nutrition; (ii) infectious disease control estimated at 45 out of 100 while the Human Capital challenges (iii) erratic supply of essential medicines Index is at 0.32, lower than the averages for Sub- and medical commodities; (iv) poor and inadequate 162 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID health infrastructure, (v) shortage of core health signatory to the International Health Regulations workers (number, distribution, skills-mix, quality); (vi) (IHR 2005) as amended in 2024 and is expected inadequate funding to the health sector coupled with to take all necessary steps to develop, strengthen, high out of pocket expenditures for household which and maintain core public health and emergency stands at 63 percent; and (vi) weak systems and poor preparedness capacities at the national, sub-national, accountability resulting in inefficient provision and and regional levels. The country has made progress wastage of limited resources. in strengthening health security since the pandemic and the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of IHR core In addition, reducing disparities and improving access, capacities conducted in September 2023 highlighted especially in rural areas, represents a significant strengths and critical capacity gaps in preparing for challenge for the health system. The health system and responding to public health emergencies. Liberia also suffers from a curative bias, which is affecting the demonstrated capacity in areas such as immunization, judicious use of scarce resources and health outcomes. disease surveillance, public health emergency While most of the health expenditure goes towards operation centers, and the management of health curative services, the leading causes of morbidity and emergencies. Risk communication and community mortality are preventable, which demands a renewed engagements (RCCE) and the system for linking public focus on preventive health. Implementing facility and health with security authorities were exemplary. service standards and building an adequate health workforce, both in terms of numbers and capacities, The AAID endeavors to improve the country’s ability is required to improve access and quality healthcare to prevent, prepare, detect, and respond to public delivery. health emergencies and reduce morbidity, mortality, disability, and socio-economic disruptions due to The Ebola virus outbreak in 2014 and the recent public health threats. COVID-19 pandemic are key justifications for promoting health security as an important component of the national development agenda. Liberia is a National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 163 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 43: Health Sector Reforms Objective: Promote equity, efficiency, quality, financing, and sustainability in the delivery of healthcare services through an enhanced policy environment. Undertaking comprehensive health sector reforms will improve health financing modalities, provide universal coverage, and enhance the regulatory framework for health sector actors. A stronger health system can reduce healthcare costs and improve workforce productivity by keeping the population healthier. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase the coverage of community pharmacy from 20 % to 85 % in all public health facilities

2. Provide health insurance coverage for all citizens

3. Increase health product testing from 40 % to 95 % Key interventions: ● Development and implementation of community pharmacy and cost-sharing schemes in public health facilities ● Establishment of Health Equity Fund for Universal Health Coverage Bill ● Enhancement of health products regulatory environment ● Enhance the regulatory environment for health services, facilities and professionals 164 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 44: Health Services Objective: Ensure that health services is accessible, equitable, safe, and responsive to the needs of the users. This is aimed at sustainably expanding access to essential health services and facilities across the country, especially the underserved. Access to quality healthcare can significantly reduce the prevalence of diseases, improve maternal and child health, and increase life expectancy. Healthier populations are more productive. Reducing disease burden can also lower healthcare costs, and free up resources for other investments. Healthy children are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically, leading to a more educated workforce in the future. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase coverage of primary health care by 7. Increase diagnostic centers at health care 40 % facilities by 40 %

2. Increase and maintain DTP-3 coverage 8. Improve national referral capacity of J.F.K 100 above 90 % %

3. Increase the number of exclusively breastfed 9. Improve national referral capacity of J.F.D 100 children (0-5 months) by 10 %. %

4. Increase age appropriate Reproductive, 10. Upgrade and designate 5 county hospitals as Maternal Newborn, Child and Adolescent, regional hospitals and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) health care 11. Upgrade 10 primary health care facilities to services by 40% comprehensive health centers

5. Decrease the incidence of communicable 12. 14 counties to receive mental, neurological, and non-communicable diseases by 20% and substance use disorder care services

6. Increase WASH services at health facilities by 13. Improve staffing capacity for human 20% resources for health by 10% Key interventions: ● Strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) ● Upgrading Jackson F. Doe Hospital to the second including community health national tertiary hospital ● Delivering quality and Age Appropriate ● Strengthening oversight and regulatory Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and compliance of health facilities standard, Adolescent Health plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) medicines, health products, and professional care services practice ● Prevention and control of communicable and ● Enhancement of sex, age, and disaggregated non-communicable diseases data for health care policy analysis ● Strengthening and scaling up the control and ● Reduction in HIV/ STDs and STIs management of mental, neurological and ● Decentralization of healthcare Services for SGBV substance use disorder care services survivors ● Expansion and modernization of public health ● Strengthening and scaling up of nutrition facilities initiatives among adolescents in schools, ● Expanding and upgrading five county hospitals communities, and health facilities designated as regional hospitals ● Strengthening public health laboratory systems ● Strengthening diagnostic capacities at all levels ● Revision and reinforcement of the health legal ● Provision of sustainable climate-resilient WASH framework and policy services in healthcare facilities ● Improvement of staffing levels of human ● Strengthening and expanding JFK hospital’s resources for health capacities National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 165 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 45: Health Security Objective: Strengthen Liberia’s epidemic/pandemic preparedness and response capacity at national, sub- national and regional levels. This is aimed at safeguarding public health security thereby minimizing disruptions in communities, the health systems, and the economy when faced with health risks. This is to be actualized through the adoption of a comprehensive approach that includes preparedness, detection, and response capacity to epidemics/pandemics and other public health threats that impact the nation’s health. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase epidemic/pandemic preparedness from 44 % to 70 %.

2. Increase detection capacity from 44 % to 70 %

3. Increase outbreak response capacity from 44 % to 70 %

4. Increase the proportion of detection and response to outbreaks or public health issues and events as per WHO standards from 60 to 90 percent Key interventions: ● Improving healthcare infrastructure and vector control, and radiation safety. financial resources for epidemics/pandemics ● Establishing a functional One Health ● Enhancing public health workforce capacity Coordination Platform at all levels through training and development of health ● Strengthening the network of community health training institutions volunteers ● Ensuring robust supply chains for essential ● Strengthening Public health Surveillance and medicines, equipment and other supplies for Monitoring epidemics/pandemics ● Strengthening Emergency Preparedness and ● Implementing functional multi-sectoral, Response multidisciplinary mechanisms, policies, systems ● Strengthening public health laboratories and and practices to minimize the transmission of systems zoonotic diseases ● Strengthening public health risk communication ● Implementing environmental health programs, and community engagement (RCCE) including healthcare waste management, drinking water quality and safety, chemical and 166 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6.3. Strategic Policy 21: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Strategic Objective: Ensure the availability of safe, clean, and adequate sanitation facilities and promote good hygiene practices to improve public health, environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life. Sanitation and hygiene infrastructure is critical in creating a healthier, more equitable society with long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits. Sanitation and hygiene are fundamental to sustainable development. Proper sanitation and hygiene prevent the spread of diseases and reduce morbidity and mortality rates. This leads to healthier communities and less strain on healthcare systems. Investing in sanitation and hygiene is crucial for achieving broader development goals and improving overall societal well-being. Significant outcomes shall be derived from the availability of safe and clean water, and adequate sanitation facilities. Figure 57: Strategic Policy 21 goals by 2029 Safely managed access to sanitation 50% At least 75% of schools with properly functioning WASH People with basic facilities handwashing facilities including soap and water People with basic handwashing facilities 10% People with basic handwashing facilities including soap and including soap and water, rural water, rural 10% 1% 5.6% (2022) N/A (2022) Open defecation practices 0 Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 167 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene are defining The Liberian WASH sector operates on the principle measures of the quality of life. They affect health of access to WASH services for all people without and well-being, the environment, and economic discrimination. According to the 2011 Liberia WASH development. Before the civil war, Liberia had some Compact, post-war efforts to rebuild the WASH sector basic water supply and sanitation infrastructure, and expand WASH services had been insufficient to primarily in urban areas. Rural areas often lacked put the country on the path to achieving the 2015 adequate services. Efforts were made to improve MDG goals. Under the PAPD, Liberia realigned its public health, but access to clean water and sanitation WASH priorities with SDG 6.1 and 6.2, targeting 85 was uneven, with significant disparities between percent access to basic water supply systems in rural urban and rural populations. The civil wars severely areas, while aiming to decrease waterborne diseases. damaged WASH infrastructure, leading to widespread It also targeted 100 percent of the poor rural dwellers water and sanitation crises. Outbreaks of waterborne with their toilet facilities and disposing of their waste diseases, such as cholera, became more common due safely and sustainably. However, while progress has to the breakdown of sanitation services. Following the been made over the last 10 to 12 years, only 69.3 end of the civil conflict in 2003, international aid and percent (compared to 60 percent in 2008), accessed government initiatives focused on rebuilding WASH their drinking water from improved sources such as infrastructure, launching a National WASH Policy in pipe water, borehole, satchel water, bottled water,

2008. This led to the establishment of the National and protected wells, while the remaining 30.7 percent WASH Coordination Committee in 2010. In 2013, (57.8% rural and 42.2% urban) drink water from Liberia launched a five-year WASH Sector Investment unimproved sources such as open wells and streams. Plan as part of a concerted effort by the government Similarly, despite slight improvement, access to safe and stakeholders to improve the situation in the human waste disposal facilities across the country WASH sector in Liberia. It outlined priorities for remains a challenge, with 43.2 percent of households rebuilding the country’s WASH sector which had been nationally still using open defecation practices in severely affected by the war. A WASH Commission was bushes, open pit latrines, on beaches, and riversides established in 2017 to integrate all of the government’s as toilets. efforts and provide overall leadership for the sector. Improving WASH services remains a major priority of the government. Table 10 : Selected WASH Indicators Indicator 2008 2022 Access to Safe Drinking Water Sources 60% 69.3% Practice of Open Defecation 49% (2012) 43.2% There is a need to accelerate and sustain efforts supervision of facilities is weak. In addition, many aimed at the realization of an open defecation households exhibit negative attitudes and practices free (ODF) Liberia. The lack of basic infrastructure toward WASH, particularly waste management. for water supply and sanitation, coupled with Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted inadequate waste and disposal facilities needs to be approach that includes investment in rehabilitation addressed. Low government funding and reliance of non-functional infrastructure, capacity building, on development partners hinder the sustainable community engagement, attracting private players implementation of WASH strategies and plans. (PPPs), and sustainable practices. Collaboration While there are inadequate trained personnel to among government, NGOs, and international partners effectively operate WASH services public awareness, is crucial for improving WASH services. municipal and community level monitoring and 168 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAMS 46: Sanitation and Hygiene Objective: Improve access to safe and adequate sanitation facilities and promote good hygiene practices among the population. Proper sanitation and hygiene practices strengthen communities’ resilience to health crises. These assist in reducing the spread of infectious diseases such as pandemics and mortality. Improved sanitation and hygiene reduce disparities by ensuring all community members have access to clean and safe environments. This supports social justice and equality. This leads to healthier communities and less strain on healthcare systems. Key targets by 2029:

1. Establish an integrated WASH Management Information System

2. Increase safely managed water access to 65% and basic access to 90%.

3. End open defecation practices

4. Increase safely managed access to sanitation to 50% and basic access to sanitation to 85%

5. Increase coverage of basic water service in health facilities to 90%,

6. Realize nationwide sanitation and water point mapping

7. Develop WASH regulatory framework Key interventions: ● Establishment of Integrated WASH Management Information System (IMIS) ● Eradication of Open Defecation practices ● Conduction of nationwide sanitation mapping ● Implementation of the national WASH in health care facilities roadmap 2024 to 2029 ● Strengthening private sector participation in all aspects of the water, sanitation, and hygiene delivery cycle. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 169 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6.4. Strategic Policy 22: Inclusive Social Development Strategic Objective: Promote gender equality and empowerment of women, girls, and vulnerable groups, and enhance social protection systems, and ensure that all individuals, especially the most vulnerable, have access to opportunities, resources, and protection. Several critical inclusive social development issues need to be addressed to ensure sustainable and equitable growth. Promoting the inclusion of marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities is crucial for creating a more equitable society. Ensuring that all children, especially girls, have access to quality education is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering economic growth. Addressing these issues requires a collaborative effort from the government, civil society, and international partners to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for all Liberians. Significant outcomes shall be derived from promoting and ensuring inclusive social development services. Figure 58: Strategic Policy 22 goals by 2029 Gender Gap Index ranking 20/191 39/186 (2023) GBV incidence Global Gender Index reduced by ranking 10% 110/191 60% (2022) Female Work 164/191 (2022) Activity rate 60% Employment rate Prevalence of of PWD increase 36.8% (2022) Child Marriages by 10% 0.0% <1% (2023) 36% (2016) Women in Leadership 50% 30% (2023) Source: MFDP 170 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context Progress has been made on gender equality, women the composite indicators reveals that the labor force empowerment, and social protection in the last 20 participation rate, estimated earned income rates, years; Though there is still a long way to go. With and wages are low for both genders. Similarly, while respect to gender equality, Liberia’s gender inequality Liberia is ranked 50th on the political empowerment Index (GII) in 2021 was 0.648, ranking it 164 out of sub-index, women comprise of 11 percent of the 103 191 countries. The Global Gender Gap Index (GGI) in seats in the National Legislature, 11 percent of local 2023 ranked Liberia 39th out of 146 countries with government statutory positions, and 8.5 percent a score of 0.760, representing a 5.1 percent increase of chieftaincy positions. There has also been an since the previous edition of the GGI. Liberia is one improvment in parity in education at the primary of the lowest-performing countries on the subindexes school level, even though it is still elusive at higher of educational attainment and health, and survival levels of education, with secondary school level where it is ranked 131st, and 123rd respectively. gender parity at 0.8 (MoE, 2022). Table 11 presents key Although Liberia has near parity on the Economic gender and women empowerment indicators. Participation and Opportunity sub-index, analysis of Table 11: Some key gender and empowerment of women indicators Gender and Empowerment Current Status Gender Gap Index 78/156 (2024) (UN- Women) 33% of women aged 15-49 years who experienced physical violence Physical Gender and Sexual Violence in the last 12 months Women in Legislature Est.11% (National Election Commission) Women in Leadership Women in the Executive (Cabinet)-35% (Executive Mansion) Women in Local Leadership-30% (Executive Mansion) Unmet Needs for Family Planning 35% (LDHS, 2019/20) Women Literacy Rate 54.6% (LPHC, 2022) Source: Child marriage, a practice deeply rooted in traditional is marrying before age 18, as low as age 12 years social norms, continues to affect Liberian girls, old (LPHC, 2022). This has implications of promoting particularly in rural areas despite the concerted efforts child marriage. The Government will collaborate to combat it. LPHC, 2022 shows high prevalence rates with all stakeholders to address the problem of child of child marriages, with the average age of marriage marriage to enhance the social and economic status being alarmingly low at 14 years in most regions of children, especially for education purposes. This is for males and females except for Lofa and Bong important because reducing child marriages is critical counties where the average child marriage age is 15 to achieving SDG 5 by 2030. years. A huge percentage of the population (11.3%) National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 171 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The prevalence of female-headed households, Despite ongoing efforts by the government, particularly among the age group of 13-17, is a international organizations, and civil society to growing concern. 53 percent of households nationally address GBV in line with national laws and SDG 5.2 are led by women—52 percent in urban areas and 54 and 5.3, it remains a persistent problem. Efforts to percent in rural areas. This trend not only underscores combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) the growing prevalence of female-led households include legislative measures such as the 2006 Revised but also raises significant concerns regarding the Rape Law and the Domestic Violence Act (2019), along economic and social pressures placed on young with temporary suspensions of FGM and the recent female heads, who must often manage complex ban in 2022. However, challenges persist due to a household responsibilities with limited resources weak justice system, discrimination, and the need for and support. These challenges impact the economic continued engagement with traditional and religious stability of both adult and young women, pointing to leaders. Liberia’s commitment to international a critical need for targeted interventions that support gender equality frameworks and its revised national female heads of households, especially young girls. policies show progress, yet issues such as corruption, impunity, and inadequate protection for vulnerable Gender-based violence (GBV), including physical, groups persist. sexual, and psychological abuse, remains widespread. According to the 2019-2020 Liberia Demographic While 45.0 percent of the population is categorized and Health Survey, 60 percent of women aged 15-49 as multi-dimensionally poor and deprived of basic have experienced physical violence, and 9 percent services, progress has been made over the years have experienced sexual violence. Less than half (42 in advancing social protection for the poor and percent) of women who have experienced physical vulnerable. There is a social protection policy that seeks or sexual violence have ever sought help. Moreover, to build social systems and address issues relating in 2023, the average of monthly reported cases of to extreme poverty, vulnerability, and inequality GBV was 267, with a total of 3,204 during the year, in Liberia, while contributing to economic growth, according to a report by the MGCSP. It is important peace and security. Social protection targets four (4) to recognize that these reported cases do not fully groups: children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, represent the actual scale of the situation, given and extremely poor households. Significant income the social stigma surrounding SGBV and high levels inequalities exacerbate the vulnerabilities of these of impunity which often deter many victims from groups. The most recognized effort of social protection coming forward. Notably, survivors between ages has been the social cash transfer program targeting 0-20 years accounted for 83 percent or 2,662 of extremely poor households. reported cases. This issue is exacerbated by harmful Liberia faces several significant challenges in the practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). areas of gender equality, women empowerment, Although the practice of FGM is declining across and social protection. These challenges are deeply generations (55 percent of 45–49-year-olds have been rooted in cultural, economic, and social factors—that subject to the practice as compared to 23.9 percent define the role of women. Limited access to education of 15–19-year-olds), data shows that presently, 38.2 constrains women’s reproductive rights and freedom percent of Liberian women and girls between ages and hinders their advancement at the workplace and 15-49 are living with the consequences of female participation in politics. These reasons combine to genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and many more explain the socio-economic disparities between men are at risk. and women which need to be addressed. 172 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 47: Inclusive policies and systems Objective: Remove barriers to inclusion and participation for vulnerable populations by strengthening and enforcing policies, laws, and regulations, and increasing awareness of gender issues. This focuses on eliminating discrimination and social bias prejudices based on race, gender, disability, and other factors that lead to exclusion and marginalization. These vulnerable groups often have limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, which hinders their participation in society. Without adequate representation in decision-making processes, the needs and voices of vulnerable groups are often overlooked. Key targets by 2029:

1. Coverage of child protection services in all counties

2. Reduce percentage of children aged 5-17 engaged in child labor from 28% to 10%

3. End child marriages

4. Secure 5% of new public sector jobs for PWDs

5. Increase women representation in Government leadership positions from 11% to 30%

6. Promote equity in Parliament representation

7. Secure benefits for at least 5,000 individuals from corporate social responsibility commitments

8. Provide 10% of inclusive social housing units for vulnerable groups Key interventions: ● Supporting Systematic legal and policy review and reform with focus on discriminatory laws ● Strengthening institutional capacity for inclusive policy enforcement ● Enhancement of women political participation and undertaking inclusive governance reforms ● Development of an inclusive legal framework on voluntarism ● Strengthening and enforcement of child protection laws ● Strengthening community engagements to promote positive discrimination towards inclusion ● Supporting enforcement of corporate responsibility commitments in every FDI ● Development and enforcement of national accessibility standards National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 173 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 48: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Objective: Strengthen preventive measures and coordination mechanisms to foster accountability, shift social norms, and enhance support services in addressing SGBV. This is aimed at combating gender-based violence (GBV) which has a profound impact on socio-economic development in several ways. Survivors of GBV often face reduced economic opportunities due to trauma and stigma. Addressing GBV enables individuals to participate fully in the economy, increasing productivity and economic growth. The AAID intends to enforce existing instruments such as the Domestic Violence Act and the declaration of rape. Liberian women face various forms of GBV, including sexual and domestic violence, early and forced marriage, wife inheritance, and female genital mutilation. Key targets by 2029:

1. Reduce the incidence of SGBV by 50%

2. Increase access to SGBV services by 30% Key interventions: ● Improvement of data quality and systems on GBV ● Strengthening and enforcement of SGBV legal frameworks, including eradication of FGM and other harmful traditional practices ● Strengthening community engagement and social behavior change ● Expansion of SGBV prevention and survivor support services ● Improvement of inter-agency coordination mechanism and implementation of the GBV accountability framework nationwide ● Enhance coordination to improve GBV response services 174 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 49: Inclusive Integrated Social Protection and Welfare Services Objective: Increase access of women and vulnerable groups (PWDs, children, girls, youth) to quality regular and special education, ensure their basic human rights and access to a dignified quality of life, and to improve the safety and welfare of children and the elderly. Key targets by 2029:

1. Increase the participation of girls in empowerment and leadership projects by 30%

2. Increase school enrollment of vulnerable girls by 5,000.

3. Ensure that 80% of women and vulnerable groups complete digital literacy training

4. Train 200 individuals in sign language to enhance inclusive communication

5. Incorporate sign language program in at least 15 educational institutions

6. Grant 800 scholarships to empower PWDs

7. Increase child protection and welfare services to 200,000 children

8. Provide cash transfers for economic empowerment to 16,000 members of vulnerable groups

9. Support 500 PWDs with assistive technology equipment Key interventions: ● Enhancing girls’ empowerment and leadership development ● Provision of scholarships to vulnerable groups ● Strengthening and expansion of child protection services ● Expansion of access to digital literacy for women and vulnerable groups ● Provision of social cash transfers for economic empowerment ● Expansion of training in sign language to for inclusive communication ● Development of the national student loan scheme (for education) ● Supporting PWDs with assistive technology equipment National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 175 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 50: Economic Empowerment of Women and Vulnerable Groups Objective: Increase women and vulnerable groups access to productive resources, and business services, and opportunities to improve their economic status and wellbeing. This centers on removing barriers that constrain women and other vulnerable groups to enable them access to major inputs used to produce goods and services. These include land, skills, knowledge, employment, capital, and technology. These elements work together to create the goods and services that drive economic growth and development. Understanding and effectively managing these resources are crucial for sustainable economic progress, and getting all stakeholders involved, yields greater results in the development process. Key targets by 2029:

1. Provide support to 1,500 children with special needs

2. Establish 50 women agribusiness and entrepreneurship cooperatives

3. Support 400 agribusiness and entrepreneurship enterprises for women and vulnerable groups

4. Capacitate 3,000 veterans and PWDs in agri-business and entrepreneurship

5. Increase capacity and leadership of women in climate-resilient eco-tourism services

6. Support the increase of financial inclusion coverage by 75% of women, PWDs, and vulnerable groups Key interventions: ● Development of women’s productive capacity for climate-smart agribusiness and entrepreneurship ● Integration of climate-resilient and ecological practices in agriculture, energy and alternative livelihood ● Provision of support to veterans’ agribusiness production ● Development of PWDs’ productive capacity for agribusiness ● Development of veterans’ productive capacity for agribusiness and entrepreneurship ● Provision of support to women and vulnerable groups in organizing trade fairs of agribusiness and entrepreneurship ● Strengthening support for children with special needs ● Development of women’s leadership capacity in climate-resilient eco-tourism services ● Development of financial inclusion services for women, PWDs, and young people 176 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 6.6.5. Strategic Policy 23: Youth Development Strategic Objective: Empower young people, increase their economic opportunities, and enhance their contribution to sustainable development. This involves developing and implementing appropriate youth-opportunity programs and providing long-lasting options intended to sustainably address emerging needs of young people aged 15-35 years who constitute 42 percent of the total population in Liberia (LPHC, 2022). In addition, it will require providing an enabling environment to promote the development of sports, talent development, and leveraging opportunities emerging from the cultural and creative industry. Figure 59: Strategic Policy 23 goals by 2029 Youth not in education, employment &training 20% 40.7% (2017) Growth in youth- Growth of youth in ICT owned small start-ups businesses by 30% 30% Global Youth Development Index raking 120/181 Young people Prevalence of 145/181 (2021) engaged in substance abuse voluntarism and reduced by community service 50% 10% Participation rate of young PWDs in recreational and sports activities improved by 5% Source: MFDP National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 177 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID General Context The national school drop-out rate stands at 13.6 Currently, only two out of seven government TVET percent, with the rural and urban drop-out rates centers for informal youth are operational, indicating being 15.0 percent and 12.5 percent respectively. This an urgent need for increased investment. To expand trend, prevalent throughout the country, is driven access to these programs, new TVET facilities must by a combination of factors which include economic be developed and existing ones renovated across pressures and a lack of employment opportunities, underserved counties, particularly Nimba, Lofa, Grand backward social norms, early marriages, and teenage Bassa, Rivercess, Maryland, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, pregnancies among others. A growing number Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu. of young Liberians are leaving school to take up In recent years, Liberia has seen some improvements motorcycle or tricycle driving for quick income. These in sports development, however, there remains a jobs provide immediate financial relief but at a long- need to support the expansion of sports programs term cost: school dropouts face diminished prospects nationwide. There is a pressing need to address for stable employment, economic security, and youth unemployment and drive economic upward mobility. This is likely to perpetuate cycles of transformation through agribusiness. Start-ups and poverty as uneducated youth struggle to adapt to an tourism development value chains are critical for evolving job market. accommodating young people and propelling the Despite these challenges, there is a national consensus transformative socioeconomic agenda. Agriculture on the need to create safe spaces and opportunities remains one of the largest economic sectors, yet youth for youth to develop competencies, contribute to participation is limited due to a lack of skills, resources, national development, and become economically and land access. Liberia’s rich natural and cultural productive citizens. Liberia’s progress in youth heritage presents opportunities for eco-tourism and development aligns with global aspirations under stimulating local economic development. the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including By integrating agri-business training and hotels, youth employment, equality, health and well-being, restaurants, and cafes (HORECA) into TVET programs peace, and security. Liberia’s Youth Development Index (YDI) in 2023 stood at 0.652, reflecting some and providing incentives for youth-led agribusinesses, Liberia can empower young people to contribute to progress in these areas. food security, income generation, tourism, and rural In June 2023, Liberia declared the issue of at-risk development. The youths, despite being a demographic youth a national emergency, recognizing it as a pressure point, represent a tremendous opportunity crisis akin to Ebola (2014) and COVID-19 (2020). With for Liberia’s growth. With targeted investments, this 47,917 recorded at-risk youth, the government has young population, particularly girls, can expand taken a critical step toward addressing the issue. the labor market and create new industries. Skills However, efforts remain limited: a single rehabilitation development, technical and vocational education and program graduated only 127 youth in March 2024, training (TVET), and fostering entrepreneurship are and substantial funding constraints hinder sustainable essential for harnessing this potential (UNDP, Study on pathways for youth integration through TVET and Development Pathways in Liberia, 2024). employment programs. Without increased support, many at-risk youths face a high likelihood of falling into or deepening their engagement with SUD. On the TVET front, equipping youth with employable skills through work-readiness programs and technical training is essential for achieving national aspirations for poverty reduction and economic sustainability. 178 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 51: Inclusive Youth Empowerment Objective: Expand opportunities for youth by providing an enabling environment and appropriate incentives that provide access to leadership, training, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities. Key targets by 2029:

1. Secure 50% of new public sector jobs for youth

2. Capacitate at least 20,000 youth in agri-business and entrepreneurship

3. Secure at least 5,000 internships, apprenticeship, and volunteerism placements for youth and PWDs

4. Increase capacity and leadership of 6,000 youth in climate-resilient eco-tourism services

5. Ensure about 31,625 youth benefit from TVET

6. Enroll at least 10,000 youth volunteers in National Youth Service Key interventions: ● Development of agri-business and entrepreneurship productive capacity for youth ● Provision of support in organizing trade fairs of agri-business and entrepreneurship for the youth ● Provision of internships, apprenticeships, and volunteer work opportunities for social development of young people and PWDs ● Development of youth leadership and capacity in climate-resilient eco-tourism services ● Supporting youth participation in governance and policymaking ● Improvement of TVET for Youth ● Strengthening volunteerism through the National Youth Service ● Supporting the National Youth Loan Scheme ● Development of skills for future through youth mentorship ● Supporting the reintegration of rehabilitated youth and preventive nationwide awareness campaigns against substance use among adolescents and youth National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 179 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID PROGRAM 52: Inclusive Sports and Recreational Infrastructure Objective: Ensure the availability of appropriate facilities and spaces where the population, particularly the youth, can improve and maintain their physical and mental health while fostering social cohesion and developing their talents. This program aims at investing in sporting and recreation facilities to support healthier, happier, and more prosperous communities, thereby contributing to sustainable development. It involves enhancing sporting activities, intensifying sporting competitive games, and training. It also requires providing recreational programs and spaces with safe environments for play, learning, and socializing. Access to recreational facilities enhances the quality of life, providing opportunities for leisure, relaxation, and stress relief. These interventions enhance youths’ contributions to their overall development and reduce delinquency. Key targets by 2029:

1. Develop 5 youth inclusive sports centers

2. Provide rehabilitation and recreation services to at least 5,000 youth at risk

3. Qualify Liberia for at least 10 international sports competitions annually Key interventions: ● Development of inclusive sports centers for the youth ● Enhancement of youth rehabilitation and recreation services ● Development of sports services and nurturing of talents ● Enhancement of support for Liberian young people representing Liberia in international competitions 180 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 181

7. FINANCING THE PLAN ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID The total estimated cost of implementing the AAID programs under each pillar over the period 2025-2029 is US$8.38 billion. The projected disaggregated cost of each one of the AAID pillars is as follows: Economic Transformation Infrastructural development which is costed at US$1.59 billion is heavily which is costed at US$2.57 billion, largely targets focused on fostering economic stability the provision of roads and basic infrastructure (US$0.94 billion), and agriculture and fisheries (US$1.09 billion), energy (US$0.76 billion), and (US$0.46 billion), highlighting the importance transport and logistics (US$0.44 billion) to of diversifying the economy beyond resource boost inter-connectivity, and enable efficient dependency; production; Rule of Law Governance and anticorruption which has a cost of US$0.62 billion, largely which has an estimated cost of US$0.81 signals Government’s commitment to the billion, signifies the Government’s dedication provision of public safety and national defense to enhance transparency and accountability (US$0.50) and the advancement of justice and (US$0.13 billion), and improve public human rights (US$0.12 billion); administration (US$0.56 billion); Environmental sustainability Human capital development with an estimated cost of US$0.42 billion, which is costed at at US$2.37 billion largely demonstrates the Government’s commitment signifies Government’s commitment to building to adaptation and mitigation of against climate a skilled, healthy and productive workforce. change and ensuring sustainable development; The emphasis is on health (US$1.39 billion), and education (US$0.73 billion), and inclusive social development (US$0.17 billion). The Government of Liberia will fund (US$2.5 billion, or 30%) while the remaining 70% will potentially be funded by various development stakeholders including the private sector (US$2.7 billion, representing 35%), grants as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) activities (US$1.9 billion, or 25%), and Diaspora remittances (US$0.7 billion constituting 10%). Figure 60 highlights the annual cost of the AAID, Figure 61 presents the AAID cost estimates per pillar and Table 13 shows the annual cost estimate per strategic policies and programs. Funding for the AAID will require a multi-dimensional fiscal approach from the revenue, expenditure and debt side. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 183 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Figure 60: AAID annual cost estimates Source: GoL Figure 61: AAID cost estimates per pillar Source: GoL 184 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Table 12: Total AAID annual cost estimates per strategic policy and programs Total Development Pillar and Policy 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Cost TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 8,381.8 1,257.3 1,676.4 2,263.1 1,927.8 1,257.3 I Economic Transformation 1,591.4 238.7 318.3 429.7 366.0 238.7 1 Economic Stability and Growth 943.6 141.5 188.7 254.8 217.0 141.5 2 Labour and Employment 11.2 1.7 3.0 2.6 1.7 3 Commerce and Industry 102.0 15.3 20.4 27.5 23.5 15.3 4 Agriculture and Fisheries 461.7 69.3 92.3 124.7 106.2 69.3 5 Mineral Resource Management 50.0 7.5 10.0 13.5 11.5 7.5 6 Tourism, Culture and Creative Economy 22.9 3.4 4.6 6.2 5.3 3.4 II Infrastructure Development 2,573.8 386.1 514.8 694.9 592.0 386.1 7 Roads and Basic Infrastructure 1,091.3 163.7 218.3 294.7 251.0 163.7 8 Transport and Logistics 435.3 65.3 87.1 117.5 100.1 65.3 9 Water and Sewage 234.0 35.1 46.8 63.2 53.8 35.1 10 Energy 759.3 113.9 151.9 205.0 174.6 113.9 Communication Technologies and Digital 11 29.0 4.4 5.8 7.8 6.7 4.4 Economy 12 Housing Development 24.9 3.7 5.0 6.7 5.7 3.7 III Rule of Law 622.3 93.3 124.5 168.0 143.1 93.3 13 Justice and Human Rights 119.4 17.9 23.9 32.2 27.5 17.9 14 Public Safety And National Defense 502.9 75.4 100.6 135.8 115.7 75.4 IV Governance and Anticorruption 805.5 120.8 161.1 217.5 185.3 120.8 15 Transparency and Accountability 128.7 19.3 25.7 34.7 29.6 19.3 16 Public Administration 556.8 83.5 111.4 150.3 128.1 83.5 17 Foreign Affairs 120.0 18.0 24.0 32.4 27.6 18.0 V Environmental Sustainability 422.0 63.3 84.4 113.9 97.1 63.3 18 Climate Change 422.0 63.3 84.4 113.9 97.1 63.3 VI Human Capital Development 2,366.8 355.0 473.4 639.0 544.4 355.0 19 Education 727.4 109.1 145.5 196.4 167.3 109.1 20 Health 1,391.8 208.8 278.4 375.8 320.1 208.8 21 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 9.9 1.5 2.0 2.7 2.3 1.5 22 Inclusive Social Development 168.5 25.3 33.7 45.5 38.8 25.3 23 Youth Development 69.2 10.4 13.8 18.7 15.9 10.4 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 185 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 7.1. REVENUE MOBILIZATION MEASURES Several revenue sources will be pursued to secure funding for the implementation of the AAID. Mobilizing resources to implement the Plan from the possible sources, and efficiently managing the required resource envelope, present major challenges to both public and private sector actors. The AAID will partly be financed by domestic revenue mobilized by the Government. As part of the domestic revenue mobilization plan, the Government has developed the Domestic Resource Mobilization Strategy II (DRMS II) and the Revenue Sharing Law and Regulations. The DRMS II is a five-year strategic plan on strengthening and growing domestic revenue. This considers strengthening current sources of revenue, tapping into potential sources and the development and implementation of policies for new revenue sources. The Revenue Sharing Law and Regulations will not only deal with the distribution of revenue from the counties and the central government, but will also improve revenue collections in the various counties as citizens within the counties look forward to contribute to domestic revenue mobilization to increase their county share of revenue. As such, the following measures and more from the DRMS II, will be implemented: Broadening the tax base: Tax awareness and education (including civic education) will play a significant role in bringing tax payers operating within the the huge informal sector into the tax bracket and reaching out to other potential and 186 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID willing-to-pay taxpayers. Additionally, compliance through negotiating bilateral and multilateral mechanisms will be improved by strengthening agreements, such as double-tax treaties, technical taxpayer identification and digitalizing tax collection assistance in revenue mobilization, low-cost and processes. concessionary interest loans and grants as a means of augmenting its resource envelope. Optimizing Enhancing tax administration: As stated in state-owned enterprises (SOEs): Governance of SOEs the DRMS II, Liberia will invest in modernizing tax will be restructured and improved to increase their systems and processes to reduce leakages and profitability and contribution to public revenues. increase efficiency, as well as strengthen auditing SOE’s will be made to adhere to the PFM Law and and enforcement mechanisms to combat tax evasion Regulation (especially on statutory tax payments – and avoidance. Furthermore, a review exercise will withholding and GST). be undertaken to rationalize tax exemptions and minimize discretionary tax waivers and incentives to Issuance of ownership stakes or equity shares ensure that only productive exemptions remain. Also, in SOEs and public projects: Government will with the implementation of the Revenue Sharing consider issuance of ownership stakes or equity shares Regulation, enhancing local tax administration will to Liberians both at home and in the Diaspora to raise be key in broadening the tax base and increasing financing for high-potential sectors like agribusiness, revenue collection in the counties. tourism, renewable energy, special economic zones, utilities companies to enable effective private sector Introducing new revenue streams: The country participation. This calls for putting in place an will identify untapped revenue sources, such as enabling legal framework to enable equity financing, informal sector taxation or bringing new economic development of viable public sector projects, activities into the tax system. Some of these are to organizing local investors and deliberating reaching include but not limited to introduction of Value Added out to the Diaspora community among other actions. Taxes (VAT) which is on course to be implemented by FY2026, Environmental taxes (e.g., carbon tax) and Private Sector Investment: Effective Public Private sin taxes (e.g., on tobacco, alcohol and gambling) will Partnerships (PPPs) shall be pursued, nurtured and be explored to raise revenue while promoting public facilitated, building business collaboration and policy objectives, as well as fees or charges on non- partnership between the Government and private renewable resource extraction will be considered. sector actors. This will call for building capacity of MFDP’s climate finance unit to coordinate stakeholders in the Innovative Financing: Concerted efforts will be made to explore new innovative financial instruments realization of climate and green financing revenue to finance the AAID, including philanthropy, green streams. bonds, social impact bonds and the Green Climate Improving natural resource revenue Fund (GCF). management: Transparency and efficiency in the collection and allocation of resource revenues from 7.2. EXPENDITURE MEASURES mining and forestry will be enhanced . Sector specific reforms will take place to improve various sectors From the expenditure side, the following strategic operations and their revenue contributions. measures will be implemented to secure fiscal space: Engaging the Diaspora and international Expenditure rationalization: Elimination or development cooperation: Financial instruments reduction of non-priority spending to free-up such as diaspora bonds or remittance investment resources for critical AAID initiatives. The realized funds will be explored to encourage financial support resources will be channeled to the AAID drivers of from Liberians abroad. Furthermore, Government will development and rationalized with development upscale its engagements with international partners filters. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 187 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Improved public financial management (PFM): for direct government funding. Strengthening the budgeting processes to ensure Enhancingeetargetedeesocialeespending : alignment of the budget with the AAID priorities, Government will improve targeting of social programs while introducing program-based budgeting to link to ensure benefits reach the most vulnerable, and expenditures with measurable outcomes. thereby reducing inefficiencies. Enhancing efficiency: Undertaking comprehensive Periodic expenditure reviews: Regular public public sector reforms in a bid to streamline mandates expenditure reviews will be conducted to identify and functions of various MACs will be implemented opportunities for cost savings and reprioritizing to address redundancies, mandate overlaps as well as funds. This measure, alongside robust monitoring duplications for improved efficiency. This will involve and evaluation can ensure effective use of funds while merging institutions with the same or similar mandates aligning expenditures with Liberia’s development or transferring some roles and mandates into parent goals. ministries. In addition,cost-saving technologies will be adopted in public service delivery to enhance productivity, civil service reforms to reduce the wage bill will be implemented, while freezing or limiting new hiring in non-essential sectors. Addressing corruption and resource leakages: Anti- corruption mechanisms will be strengthened to reduce public resource mismanagement and ensure that resources are directed towards AAID priorities.In addition, Government will improve transparency and accountability of public expenditure measures. Reallocation of resources: The redirection of subsidies (e.g., fuel or agriculture) to programs with a higher return on investment will be considered for broader social impact, while prioritizing investments with long-term benefits, such as infrastructure and renewable energy. Promotion of cost-sharing models: The country will engage private sector and community-level contributions through public-private partnerships (PPPs) or co-financing arrangements, reducing the need 188 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 7.3. DEBT MANAGEMENT attract private sector financing for infrastructure and other development projects, reducing the need for MEASURES direct government borrowing. The Government will apply prudent measures to secure funds through responsible borrowing to Bond Issuance: Issuing government bonds, including Diaspora bonds, will be explored to attract funds from implement the AAID, while safeguarding long- both domestic and international investors, as well as term fiscal stability. To this end, the following debt green bonds for environmentally sustainable projects. management-related measures will be adopted: Concessional borrowing: Prioritization of loans Improving debt management capacity: The country will continuously strengthen institutional from multilateral institutions (e.g., World Bank, IMF, frameworks for debt management, ensuring African Development Bank) and bilateral partners transparency and accountability, as well as train offering concessional terms with low interest rates, government officials on prudent borrowing practices longer grace periods and extended repayment and debt negotiation. periods. On the other hand, the operational approach of aligning new borrowing with AAID development Pursue grants and debt relief: The Government drivers and filters to maximize the development will actively seek grants or partial debt forgiveness impact will be adopted. from international partners, especially for development priorities aligned with global goals (e.g., Debt restructuring: The country intends to SDGs), while engaging in global debt relief initiatives, renegotiate existing debt to extend maturity periods particularly for low-income and fragile economies. or reduce interest rates, easing the fiscal burden, while engaging in debt swaps (e.g., debt-for-climate Debt transparency: An up-to-date debt database or debt-for-development swaps) where feasible. will be published and maintained to enhance confidence among creditors and development Adherence to debt sustainability frameworks: partners. Regular debt sustainability analyses will be conducted to avoid over-indebtedness, as well as borrowing for By adopting these measures from the revenue, projects with clear economic or social returns. expenditure and debt management, Liberia can responsibly secure AAID funding while safeguarding Leveraging Sovereign Guarantees: The use long-term fiscal sustainability. sovereign guarantees will be diligently explored to National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 189

8. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID This Chapter presents modalities for implementation of the AAID. The implementation arrangement has three levels of coordination which include: National Steering Committee (NSC), National Coordination Committee (NCC) and Technical Committee (TC) that are charged with effective execution and oversight of the AAID. Additionally, it also provides for sectoral and subnational committees, all aimed towards ensuring effective plan implementation. Figure 62 demonstrates the AAID implementation playing crucial roles in the effective execution of the structure, which includes a Steering Committee, national development strategies. Coordination Committee, and Technical Committee, Figure 62: AAID implementation structure Source: MFDP. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 191 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 8.1. GOVERNMENT AAID deliverables. Specifically, the NSC shall undertake the following responsibilities: REPORTING STRUCTURE ● Policy Oversight: Reviewing and approving The implementation of the Plan depends on a well- recommended policies, regulations, procedures, coordinated GoL institutional structure to collect and standards to support the implementation monthly cumulative repots and further compiled to and success of the national agenda. quarterly reports. Quarterly reports are then discussed ● Strategic Guidance: Providing overarching in different meetings for consolidation and to monitor strategic direction to ensure the stipulated the implementation of the AAID., namely: programs and projects in the AAID aligns with ● Cabinet. The MFDP provides quarterly high-level broader national policies and development update on the performance of the AAID during goals. regular Cabinet meetings. This update sets the document to be presented to development Resource Management: Ensuring the availability, stakeholders. allocation and utilization of financial, human, and material resources to successfully execute the ● Pillar Working Group. Ministers responsible for programs and projects different components of the coordinating AAID pillars meet quarterly to program. provide update on the quarterly performance. ● Sector Working Group. MACs responsible for Political Support: Providing strong political will and coordinating AAID programs under the strategic support to the implementation of the A A I D policies meet quarterly to provide update on the galvanizing national and international commitment programs and policy performance. to supporting the process. The Government reporting structures also serve 8.3. NATIONAL COORDINATION as clearing houses before the joint meetings with development stakeholders. COMMITTEE The NCC will be headed by the Minister of Finance 8.2. NATIONAL STEERING and Development Planning and co-chaired by the COMMITTEE Cooperating Partners Group. Members will include Cabinet members and invited Government Agencies A National Steering Committee (NSC) will be and Commissions, as well as representatives of established to provide policy guidance and leadership development partners, civil society organizations for the implementation of the Plan. Specifically, the (CSOs), private sector, and the Diaspora. The NCC will Committee will hold MACs accountable for prescribed meet quarterly to monitor progress of implementation actions, timeframes, and deliverables. of the Plan and as may be agreed upon. The The NSC will be headed by the President of Liberia and Committee shall generally guide, oversee, and ensure co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator. Members the successful implementation of stipulated programs include Cabinet Ministers and invited Government and projects in the AAID. Specifically, the NCC shall Agencies and Commissions, as well as representatives undertake the following responsibilities: of development partners, civil society organizations Strategic Direction: Providing overall strategic (CSOs), private sector and Diaspora. guidance and direction to ensure that the derived The NSC will be held at least twice a year to monitor outputs align with the established goals, objectives progress on the implementation of the Plan. The and expected outputs. Committee shall provide policy guidance and Coordination and Collaboration: Facilitating leadership to plan implementation. Specifically, smooth coordination, collaboration and the Committee will hold implementation actors communication among the different stakeholders accountable for prescribed actions, timeframes, and 192 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID that are involved with the implementation of the interventions or initiatives, and for monitor progress agenda to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. on the implementation process. Specifically, the TC shall undertake the following responsibilities: Monitoring and Evaluation: Overseeing the progress of the implementation process, monitoring Expert Advice: Providing the NCC expert technical key performance indicators, and ensuring that advice and suggestions as per their specialized objectives are being met within the set timelines and knowledge and skills. budget. Standards Development: Developing, reviewing, Resource Management: Ensuring that allocated and drafting technical standards, guidelines, and best resources, including funding, personnel, and practice solutions that are relevant to ensuring the equipment, are appropriately, efficiently and successful implementation of the agenda. effectively used to support the successful implementation of the AAID. Technical Oversight: Ensuring that technical aspects of the project are implemented correctly, efficiently, Policy Development: Developing and and in accordance with established standards. recommending to the NSC relevant policies, regulations, procedures, and standards to guide Research and Analysis: Conducting research, analysis, and technical assessments to support the agenda implementation process, and to ensure decision-making and problem-solving initiatives compliance with relevant regulations and best during the implementation of the AAID. practices. Risk Management: Monitoring the identified Quality Assurance: Monitoring and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of technical work, processes, potential risks and challenges in the AAID, and and outcomes. developing and suggesting appropriate strategies to the proper authorities to mitigate or address them to Collaboration and Coordination: Facilitating ensure success. collaboration and coordination among different technical experts, teams, and stakeholders to ensure Reporting: Providing regular updates and reports a cohesive approach. to the National Steering Committee on progress being made, achievements accomplished, challenges Reporting: Preparing and presenting to the encountered, and pending request for immediate NCC technical reports, documentation, and action. recommendations as and when requested. 8.4. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 8.4.1. Technical Coordination The TC will be headed by the Assistant Minister for Groups Planning and co-chaired by the UN Chief Technical Lead. Members include Government representatives The Technical Coordination Groups (TCGs) will meet from MACs, as well as representatives of development at the institutional level, bringing together MACs, partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), private development partners, private sector and civil society sector and the Diaspora. The TC will meet quarterly to representatives to solve current program issues. The monitor progress on the implementation of the Plan, TCG meets regularly as agreed among TCGs members. and as may be agreed upon. The committee shall effectively guide and support the NCC in ensuring the successful implementation of the AAID. Members 8.4.2. Sub-National Coordination of the committee shall leverage their expertise Groups and specialized knowledge in proving specialized The Sub-National Coordination Groups (SNCGs) will expertise and guidance for executing specified meet at the county level, bringing together local National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 193 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID government institutions, development partners, 8.6. PRIVATE SECTOR AND CSO private sector and civil society representatives to FORUMS monitor progress of the CDA. The Private Sector and CSO Forums is a platform that The coordination mechanism at the central level fosters collaborative efforts with Government and shall also be replicated at the county level consistent other stakeholders to drive sustainable economic with the Local Government Act of Liberia. The SNCG growth and job creation. Structured meetings with meeting will be held regularly as agreed among private sector representatives will be held at different members. levels to build consensus in implementation of the AAID business. Various thematic areas as agreed 8.5. DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS’ among members by members will be discussed. The COORDINATION STRUCTURE primary purpose of the forums is to consolidate the private sector or CSO approach on the implementation Partnerships within the development context of of the Plan for more productive meetings with the Liberia are critical. As such, development partners’ Government and other stakeholders. These meetings engagements will be an essential dimension of help build a collaborative and conducive environment the implementation of the AAID. Development where the private sector and CSO can work with partners in Liberia will hold the following meetings the government in driving economic development, to engage in development matters in support of the improving public services, and creating a more implementation of Liberia’s development plan: prosperous society. ● Development Partners Strategic Retreat. Partners will converge annually to assess how 8.7. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY development assistance is aligned with the AAID Communication is key to engendering national ● Cooperating Partners Group (CPG) Meetings. ownership and effective mobilization of stakeholders’ Partners will meet on a regular basis to build support for plan implementation. The Communication synergies and joint understanding in supporting Strategy will be developed and implemented. This the implementation of the AAID and CDA Strategy will provide effective information and priorities. education to all stakeholders on the implementation ● Partners Technical Working Group Meetings. of the Plan at all levels. Popular versions of the AAID Partners will meet whenever necessary to and CDAs will be developed to disseminate the Plan align their current and future priorities with to various segments of society. those of the GoL sectors and complement the Government’s development efforts. 194 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

9. MONITORING AND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Monitoring and Evaluation is a key component of the AAID process. Monitoring is meant to ensure that implementation is going according to what has been laid out in the Plan. Evaluation is to ensure that implementation produces the desired results. 9.1. OVERVIEW 9.2. LESSONS LEARNED FROM MONITORING AND EVALUATING Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a vital component of policy formulation, implementation, PREVIOUS AAIDS and development management. The outcomes of the M&E process are essential for guiding national 9.2.1. Challenges development planning, supporting sector and local government policy, and program design. Furthermore, Liberia’s governments and development partners M&E plays a crucial role in informing budget have faced systemic challenges in implementing allocations, a key aspect that enhances transparency previous National Development Plans and the 2030 and accountability in the management of national Agenda. The 2020 Voluntary National Review (VNR) of resources, fosters continuous improvement in public the most recent National Development Plan and the policy management, and facilitates policy dialogue Vision 2030 revealed a lack of baseline data and SDG between the government, private sector, civil society indicators and insufficient monitoring and evaluation. organizations, and development partners. Given the Weak national statistical and evaluation systems diverse expectations of M&E, an efficient system is hinder data collection, and many government necessary to adequately meet these needs. agencies need more technical capacity for effective The M&E framework is critical for an evidence- monitoring and evaluations. The absence of based assessment of the performance of the AAID regulatory requirements compounds this problem, and is essential to ensuring Liberia achieves its leading to limited awareness among public officials development goals. The focus of this M&E plan is to of how evaluation evidence can inform policy making. institutionalize Results-Based Planning, performance monitoring, reporting, and the utilization of evidence for responsive decision-making. Since the end of 9.2.2. Lesson Learned the civil war, Liberia has developed several national Establishing a national monitoring and evaluation development plans; however, results have often fallen policy is not just a good idea, but an urgent necessity. short due to weak implementation, monitoring, and This policy is essential to setting standards and evaluation (VNR, 2022). promoting evidence-based decision-making. It will provide the necessary framework and guidance for Learning from the challenges encountered in effective monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that implementing previous National Development our development efforts are not just well-intentioned, Plans, the Government of Liberia will establish a but also well-informed and impactful. comprehensive National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system. The MEL System will include a national MEL policy, plan, manual, and 9.2.3. Institutional Framework data management system equipped with the necessary tools, processes, procedures, as well as The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning qualified human resources to effectively monitor (MFDP) will oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the NDP and future national the AAID. The MFDP’s M&E office will lead nationwide development plans. monitoring and evaluation, coordinating with M&E offices at sector MACs and County levels to collect periodic data for routine monitoring. 196 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 9.2.4. Institutional Arrangements 9.2.6. Institutional Strengthening The institutional arrangements for M&E will mirror Building institutional capacity for M&E is essential the roles and responsibilities outlined in the to ensure the long-term success of development implementation and coordination arrangements initiatives. This shall involve: of the AAID. Greater emphasis will be placed on A. Training government M&E personnel at the coordination and information sharing in the context national and sub-national levels on data of a more robust National M&E System (MES) to management, analysis, and reporting techniques ensure that processes are internalized and applied, to ensure accurate and timely monitoring. interconnected, and harmonized by responsible B. Ensuring that sector MACs and Local institutions to support an informed policy decision- Governments have access to the necessary making process. tools, both technological and human resources, to implement M&E activities efficiently. 9.2.5. Roles and Responsibilities C. Developing a culture of accountability within the government, where regular reporting and The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning the use of evidence to inform decisions become (MFDP) is the leading agency responsible for integral to program implementation. overseeing the coordination of M&E activities across all sectors. MFDP’s role includes guidance on M&E methodologies, ensuring that data is consistently 9.3. M&E STRATEGY FOR THE AAID collected and reported, and synthesizing information to inform policy. Other primary stakeholders in 9.3.1. Strategic Direction Liberia’s M&E system include those listed below, each responsible for policy development, data collection, The AAID’s M&E A National M&E Plan will be and reporting on sector-specific initiatives. developed to address the critical challenges within A. Sector MACs, such as the Ministries of Agriculture, the Government’s M&E architecture, providing policy Health, and Education, are responsible for and strategic directions. The Framework is informed conducting sector-specific monitoring and by lessons learned from the M&E of previous National evaluation. Each institution collects data, Development Plans and shall aimed at addressing analyzes results, and reports findings to the identified challenges to ensure the effective and MFDP. efficient monitoring and evaluation of the AAID and CDAs. B. Local Governments, with the support of the national M&E System, will lead county-level M&E The plan will focus on strengthening both the activities demand for and supply of M&E results by enhancing C. Development partners and NGOs also play the capacity of evidence-producing institutions, such critical roles, offering financial and technical as sector MACs and Local Governments. It will also support to strengthen Liberia’s M&E systems. establish a relevant legal framework for managing Their involvement ensures that the best M&E activities. This approach will prioritize bottom- international practices are adopted, and that up participation to ensure stakeholder ownership and M&E efforts are carried out effectively providing improve demand for M&E insights. reassurance about external support. The National M&E institutional arrangements will be Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): These clear on assigned roles for the Office of the President, organizations, including CSOs and NGOs, ensure that the Legislature, and the Cabinet to enhance the local communities are actively engaged in the M&E utilization of the M&E results. Within the M&E process, providing grassroots feedback and ensuring institutional arrangement, greater responsibility will that development programs are responsive to local be given to the Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and needs. Evaluation Entities at the national and sub-national levels. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 197 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Monitoring the AAID’s implementation will involve C. Commit to ensuring participatory MEL at all regular or ongoing assessments of performance levels. This approach is crucial to ensuring the based on specific indicators outlined in the Results effectiveness and sustainability of the National Framework. Evaluation will utilize a broader range of M&E System and underscores the value we place methods to closely examine the implementation of on the input and involvement of all stakeholders. programs and policies, gain insight into challenges, D. Strengthen the M&E institutional architecture and produce informed assessments of their outcomes with adequate capacity to support and sustain and impacts. Additionally, thematic and small area effective monitoring and evaluation. studies (TSAS) will be conducted to evaluate both E. Strengthen leadership to ensure the use and the intended and unintended consequences of sustainability of well-functioning government policy interventions and reforms on the well-being of MEL and statistics systems. stakeholders. F. Develop and implement M&E capacity Strong political support is essential for the M&E system enhancement program and projects. to function effectively, emphasizing transparency, G. Improve investments in the supply and use of accountability, learning and evidence-based M&E results. decisions. Development partners should collaborate with the MFDP and relevant agencies to create a H. Manage an effective feedback mechanism unified National M&E system instead of separate ones. that makes statistical information available in Annual budget allocations should prioritize resources real time and usable form to the Government, for monitoring and evaluation as vital to national private sector, and civil society. development. The National M&E Plan will outline the I. Ensure a holistic approach to MEL that will roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved. include the monitoring of inputs (including resource allocations and use), as well as processes and outputs, in addition to evaluating 9.3.2. Specific Interventions the outcomes. Under the AAID, the following strategies will be J. The AAID will leverage the usage of Geographical adopted to enhance the National M&E ecosystem for information systems (GIS) to improve real time results: tracking of project progress. This will require A. Take a more comprehensive approach to M&E by building synergies between LISGIS and MFDP’s including Learning, yielding a MEL architecture M&E unit in evidence-gathering. that provides an interconnected framework for (1) a monitoring and reporting apparatus 9.4. M&E REPORTING AND covering outputs and intermediate outcomes; COMMUNICATION (b) an evaluation system based on outcome and impact analysis; and (c) a learning strategy that links M&E outcomes with operational and 9.4.1. Reporting Framework strategic decision-making. A comprehensive reporting framework will be B. Set up a robust MEL System that is efficient and established, with both quarterly and annual reports effective in generating relevant, reliable, and being produced to assess progress across sectors. timely quantitative and qualitative development Each MAC and Local Government will submit regular disaggregated information. This system will reports to the MFDP, which will consolidate these facilitate strategic decision-making, results- reports into a national M&E progress document. based management, and learning from results through more well-structured and interlinked processes and procedures, ensuring the highest quality of information for all stakeholders. 198 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 9.4.2. Communication Strategy development partners. Based on baseline data, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound A vital element of the M&E framework is a clear and (SMART) targets that reflect national development transparent communication strategy. The strategy will priorities are set to ensure that progress can be tracked utilize a range of communication platforms, including systematically. digital media, public forums, and traditional print channels, to ensure that all stakeholders, including the public, are kept informed of development progress. 9.5.2. Data Management and Regular press releases and public presentations will help Analysis to foster transparency and stakeholder engagement. Data Sources Primary data sources include government administrative 9.4.3. Feedback Mechanisms data such as the District Health Information System The M&E framework will incorporate mechanisms 2 (DHIS2) for health data, the Census, Demographic for gathering feedback from local communities and Health Survey, and administrative records from program beneficiaries to enhance the accountability schools, agricultural agencies, commissions, and other and responsiveness of key development actors. This ministries. These sources provide a rich foundation for feedback will be used to adjust programs in real-time, tracking sectoral performance and assessing progress ensuring that development initiatives remain relevant toward national development goals. and responsive to the needs of the population. Data Collection Tools and Techniques 9.5. AAID M&E FRAMEWORK The framework supports the use of both digital and A comprehensive, structured, and systematic matrix manual data collection methods. Tools like the Open to track and assess the performance of the AAID’s allows Kit (ODK) allow efficient data collection in the development programs and interventions derived from field, particularly in remote areas. Paper-based tools appropriate pillars and sectors is attached as Annex 1. will continue to be used where technological access is The framework consists of several core components, limited, ensuring that data collection is inclusive and including key performance indicators (KPIs), baselines, comprehensive. outcomes, outputs annual targets, and data sources. Data Quality Assurance Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data is 9.5.1. Development Indicators and paramount. Data quality assurance measures Targets include periodic audits of data collection processes, The M&E framework utilizes two primary types of automated validation checks built into digital tools, indicators: and field supervision to verify the accuracy of reported information. Regular training sessions will be held to ● Output Indicators: These measure the immediate improve data collection skills across ministries and results of interventions, such as the number of agencies. schools built, healthcare facilities constructed, or agricultural extension services delivered. Data Analysis and Interpretation ● Outcome Indicators: These indicators measure intermediate changes, such as improved Data analysis will be conducted by the MFDP utilizing conditions to reduce poverty, improved health various statistical software, with a focus on identifying outcomes, or increased literacy rates. trends, evaluating program effectiveness, and making evidence-based decisions. Data interpretation involves Baseline data is critical to establishing realistic targets. working closely with sectoral ministries to ensure that Ideally, this data is collected through assessments insights drawn from the data inform policy adjustments conducted by relevant government institutions and and program improvements. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 199

10. RISK MITIGATION ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Risk could derail the implementation of the AAID Furthermore, financial buffers or stabilization funds thereby frustrating national and international for economic shocks will be considered, particularly efforts toward generating rapid, inclusive, for commodity price volatility and sustainable growth and development in Business Enabling Environment Risks: An Liberia. These risks are: corruption, political will, unfavorable business environment discourages macroeconomic instability, business enabling investment and could impede implementation of environment, climate change, private sector the AAID. Procedures for business registration and participation, financing and investment, people’s operation will be streamlined to reduce bureaucratic attitude and involvement risks. To safeguard a red tape, while mechanisms for transparency and smooth and continuous implementation of the accountability in government-business interactions Plan, there are risk mitigation measures to be will be strengthened. Additionally, land tenure taken, addressing several critical areas to ensure security reforms will be implemented to provide sustainable and inclusive outcomes, namely: clear, enforceable land ownership rights to foster Corruption Risks: Bribery, nepotism, and investments. embezzlement could pose a serious threat to Climate Change Risks: Climate-related risks such the successful implementation of the AAID. To as floods, droughts, rising sea levels, coastal address corruption risks, mechanisms will also be erosion are a threat to the agricultural system established to enforce anti-corruption policies, and the blue economy which are integral to the as well as protect whistleblowers to enable them economic transformation agenda. To mitigate risks to report corruption cases without fear of being associated with climate-change, infrastructure that reprimanded. Furthermore, antigraft institutions can withstand climate shocks will be developed, will be empowered to prosecute those found in climate smart agriculture promoted, and an early corrupt practices. warning system and community-based disaster Political Will Risks: Failure of key decision makers to preparedness will be implemented. implement the necessary reform measures because Private Sector Participation Risks: Insufficient of self-interest or lack of motivation will affect the collaboration mechanisms between government effectiveness of interventions laid out in the AAID, and the private sector owing to delays in decision- especially in the context of fighting corruption to making, procurement delays, and inadequate ensure improvement in service delivery. To address transparency can potentially hinder private sector this, the government has established a performance participation and partnership with Government. A management system wherein each appointed official robust PPP framework will be developed to manage will be required to sign a performance contract that PPP risks, including clear contract terms and risk- he/she will be held accountable for. Also, the AAID sharing mechanisms, while a solid trading platform contains a robust coordination mechanism to secure will be strengthened to connect producers with broad-based support from all relevant stakeholders markets locally and internationally. Furthermore, Macroeconomic Instability Risks: Macroeconomic mechanisms will be created to secure private instability increases uncertainties in economic sector investments through insurance and legal decision-making. It discourages investment and protections. impedes economic growth and development. To Financing and Investment Risks: A mix of public, safeguard against this, prudent fiscal and monetary private, and concessional financing will be used policies will be established to ensure macroeconomic to de-risk investments, while implementing risk- stability, while debt management frameworks sharing facilities or sovereign guarantees for will be strengthened to avoid over-borrowing. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 201 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID strategic projects. Additionally, financial tracking Legislative Risks: Impasse in the legislative assembly systems will be strengthened to prevent misuse of has a likelihood of delaying budget appropriations funds and monitor project impacts. and thereby slowing the implementation of the AAID. Besides, this risk could also lead to unnecessary Conflict and Social Risks: Conflicts and other delays in the enactment of required laws, ratification social issues could hinder the implementation of of key agreements, inadequate accountability the AAID. Provision of platforms for dialogue and coupled with unnecessary political interference grievance redress in project-affected areas will be in legislative business. All this could hinder timely established, while ensuring development initiatives implementation, governance reforms and progress do not exacerbate existing tensions or inequalities. toward national development goals. To mitigate this Furthermore, law enforcement and local security risk, the Government will ensure effective legislative will be strengthened to protect investments and engagement and promote the AAID as a national communities. agenda. See Annex 1 for AAID Results and Targets i The Ministry of Public Works classifies Primary Roads as road connection between County Capitals ii Road Density is the ratio of the length of the nation’s total road network to the land area 202 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029

Annex 1: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Develop procedures Procedures and Reliable and realistic and process to Economic Strengthening of process adopted 8.1.1 Annual growth Economic Macroeconomic Macroeconomic macroeconomic regularly improve Stability and macroeconomic to update the rate of real GDP per 0 Transformation Stability stability forecasts for policy macroeconomic data Growth framework macroeconomic capita decisions collection and update indicators forecasts Investment and Development of the Economic business decisions Economic Liberia economic Economic geographic Develop the Liberia Economic Macroeconomic supported by No database Stability and geography geography database database developed economic geography Transformation Stability the updated and report Growth database and and report disaggregated by database and reports economic activity reports counties information Achievement of Liberia aligned De-dollarize the Economic a single Liberian with ECOWAS Economic Macroeconomic Single currency in Single currency Dual Liberian economic Stability and dollar currency in economic Transformation Stability use regime in place Currency and financial Growth line with ECOWAS integration transactions objective objectives Transition to an Economic Stable market Economic Macroeconomic inflation targeting Inflation rate dropped Stability and prices Single-digit inflation Inflation rate 10.1% Transformation Stability framework and to 5% Growth reducing inflation Rationalize the Economic Increasing Gross Reduction of Gross International Economic Macroeconomic usage of Gross 2.3 months Stability and International foreign exchange Months of imports Reserves Increased to Transformation Stability International of imports Growth Reserves rate depreciation 4 months of imports Reserves 17.17.1 Amount in United States National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Economic Development and Diversification of PPP Policy and Develop a PPP Policy Economic Public Financial dollars committed Stability and implementation of public financing PPP funded projects procedure manual 0 and procedure Transformation Management to public-private Growth PPP framework instruments developed manual partnerships for infrastructure ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 203 Targets 204 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Catalytic All SOEs in line with Strengthening the participation of Corporate Develop a Corporate Economic GoL objectives and Economic Public Financial SOE governance SOEs in economic governance policy governance policy Stability and publishing audited TBD Transformation Management and legal activities and legal framework and legal framework Growth financial statement framework and revenue for SOEs in place for SOEs annually generation Number of personnel Catalytic whose capacity have Strengthen the Economic Strengthening envolvement Institutional been strengthened capacity of 1,500 Economic Public Financial Stability and institutional public of PFM in the capacity (disaggregated by 20 PFM related Transformation Management Growth financial capacity development of stregthened type of training, personnel per ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Liberia location, age and spending entity National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 gender). Economic Implementation Enhanced Enhanced planning State Budget Align the State Economic Public Financial Stability and of program-based development and budgeting execution totally 0 Budget execution to Transformation Management Growth budgeting impact alignment aligned to NDP NDP implementation 15.a.1 (a) Official development assistance on conservation and Development and sustainable use Develop and Economic Diversification of Green Financing Economic Public Financial implementation of Green financing of biodiversity; operationalized Stability and public financing Strategy Developed 0 Transformation Management Green Financing mobilized and (b) revenue Green Financing Growth instruments and operationalized Strategic Plan generated and Strategy finance mobilized from biodiversity- relevant economic instruments 16.6.1 Primary government Public expenditures as Ensure alignment Economic Improvement of expenditure Parity between Economic Public Financial Public expenditure a proportion of between budget's Stability and public expenditure management financial and physical TBD Transformation Management improved original approved financial and physical Growth management upgraded to B budget execution budget, by sector execution rating (or by budget codes or similar) 17.1.1 Total Economic Increasing Increased government Economic Public Financial Improved fiscal Amount of domestic Increase domestic Stability and domestic resource domestic resource revenue as a 682,000,000 Transformation Management stance revenue generated revenue by 25% Growth mobilization mobilization proportion of GDP, by source Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Proportion of Economic Strengthening of Public investment Public Sector developed public Economic Public Financial Stability and public investment assets catalytic to Investment Projects sector investment 0 Implement the PSIP Transformation Management Growth management development developed projects funded in the State Budget Rationalization Percentage of the Economic Improved the Productive sector Rationalize the Economic Public Financial of the productive productive sector Stability and fiscal environment tax eco system 0 productive sector Transformation Management sector tax eco- fiscal burden Growth for businesses system functional taxes System decreased Agriculture Establishment Agriculture 9.3.2 Proportion Economic Increased access Enterprise Establish the Economic Public Financial of Agriculture Enterprise of small-scale Stability and to agriculture Development Bank 0 Agriculture Enterprise Transformation Management Enterprise Development Bank industries with a Growth financing estabished and Development Bank Development Bank established loan or line of credit operational Economic Diversification of Amount of funds Economic Public Financial Issuance of Disapora bonds Stability and public financing invested through 0 Issue diaspora bonds Transformation Management diaspora bonds issued Growth instruments diaspora bond Development Increased real Planning of an integrated Accurate planning Integrated planning Implement an Economic time planning Economic Instruments planning reporting instruments information Integrated planning Stability and and reporting 0 Transformation and Statistical information implementation management system information Growth information of the Products management performance developed management system NDP progress system Development and Planning Long and medium- Economic implementation of Systematic Develpment Economic Instruments term planning Develop planning Stability and the development development planning legal 1 Transformation and Statistical instruments timely legal framework Growth planning legal planning culture framework adopted Products developed framework 17.18.3 Number of countries with a Planning Improvement of Availability of a Number of statistical Economic Set of statistical national statistical Economic Instruments statistical data wide range of products publicly 20 statistical products Stability and products published plan that is fully TBD Transformation and Statistical collection and socioeconomic available on an open widely available Growth and available online funded and under Products accessibility statistical data data platform National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 implementation, by source of funding ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 205 206 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 17.19.1 Dollar value Strengthen the Improvement of all resources Planning Strengthen the Economic Institutional in the World Institutional and Number of trained made available Economic Instruments capacity of 1,500 Stability and Capacity of the Bank Statistical human capacity personnel of the to strengthen TBD Transformation and Statistical statistical system Growth National Statistical Capacity Index stregthened statistical system statistical capacity Products related personnel System Score in developing countries Increasing the number of the adult 70% of adults with Economic Percentage of adult 52% (WB ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Economic Financial population having Enhanced Increased access to bank accounts Stability and population with Findex 2022 Transformation Inclusion bank accounts and financial inclusion financial services (World Bank Findex National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Growth bank accounts Report) access to basic Report) financial services Increasing Economic commercial bank Financial Enhanced Increased availability Number of bank Stability and branches and 1-3 branches 12 branches Inclusion financial inclusion of financial services branches per 100,000 Growth networks per 100,000 adults 8.10.2 Proportion of adults (15 years Enhanced and older) with an Economic Increasing the convenience 46% of Economic Financial Mobile money Percentage of mobile account at a bank 75-80% of the adult Stability and number of mobile and security the adult Transformation Inclusion accounts opened money users or other financial population Growth money users in financial population institution or with transactions a mobile-money- service provider 8.10.1 (a) Number Decreased of commercial number of bank branches Economic Increasing number Economic Financial in-branch ATMS services Number of ATMs per per 100,000 adults Stability and of ATMS users per 2-4 ATMs 6-8 ATMs Transformation Inclusion transaction as a provided 100,000 and (b) number of Growth 100,000 adults percentage total automated teller transactions machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults Economic Number of housing Economic Financial Increase lending to Enhanced access Increased access to Increase lending to Stability and loans disbursed 0 Transformation Inclusion housing projects to housing housing housing by 20% Growth annually Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increase the Value of loans in Providing partial Increased private issuance of partial USD guaranteed Economic credit guarantees sector credit credit guarantees Economic Financial Value of loans disaggregrated by Stability and for housing, to housing, to housing, Transformation Inclusion guaranteed sector ( housing Growth agribusiness and agribusiness and agriculture and loans, agribusiness mining projects mining sectors light-manufacturing and mining) by 20% 8.3.1 Proportion Implementation of Increased of informal Economic Labor and Decent Jobs Number of formal Improve job creation the Decent Work employment in Formal jobs created employment in total 1 Transformation Employment Environment jobs created annually environment Act the formal sector employment, by sector and sex 8.b.1 Existence of Percentage increase a developed and in employment operationalized Employment in key Formulation of rate in key national strategy for economic sectors Economic Labor and Decent Jobs Human Capacity Reduced economic sectors youth employment, Improve workforce (services, industry 5.9% Transformation Employment Environment Development unemployment disaggregrated as a distinct planning and agriculture) Strategy by type (services, strategy or as increased industry and part of a national agriculture) employment strategy Increased Establishment of innovation and incubators focused competitiveness on emerging Economic in emerging New or existing Number of industries to build Economic Commerce and diversification industries growth incubators for incubators the startups society Establish 4 incubators Transformation Industry and value for successful emerging industries operational in and encourage addition startups established targeted regions youth participation contributing in the value chain to economic segments development National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 207 208 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improvement of Number of inclusive business enterprenuers Economic Increase business development Inclusive business Inclusive business receiving business Economic Commerce and diversification less than development services services to development development development Transformation Industry and value 10% to entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs with services improved services operational services addition 30% focus on youth and disaggregated by women gender and location Implementation of trade agreements ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID and partnerships Export of Liberian Percentage increase 17.11.1 Developing Economic with regional, National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 value-added in export earnings countries’ and Economic Commerce and diversification continental, and Export earning less than Increase the exports products in targeted from Liberian value- least developed Transformation Industry and value global markets from new markets 20% by 20% regional and global added products in countries’ share of addition to secure market markets increased new markets global exports access for Liberian value-added products. Provision of training Train at least 1,000 for local producers local producers on on international international quality Economic quality standards, Increased amount Percentage of local Producers standards, packaging, Economic Commerce and diversification packaging, green of export earning producers certified Less than supported for green production Transformation Industry and value production from certified for international 10% certification techniques, and 60% addition techniques, and products markets of local producers certification to help achieve export them meet export related certification requirements Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Support investment in shared processing facilities and infrastructure, Establish and such as logistic Increased 9.3.1 Proportion Economic operationalize four centers with agribusiness MSMEs accessing Number of MSMEs of small-scale Economic Commerce and diversification (4) logistic centers cold storage and production shared processing accessing shared industries in total N/A Transformation Industry and value with focus on packaging units, efficiency and facilities processing facilities industry value addition agribusiness and to reduce costs for value chains added mining activities small producers and other SMEs engaging in production Support the Value of investment Operationalization Establish and Investment attracted to Economic of industrial Improved 9.2.1 Manufacturing operationalize at least attracted to industrial parks and Economic Commerce and diversification parks and special investment value added as a one additional special industrial parks and special economic 1 Transformation Industry and value economic zones incentives and proportion of GDP economic zone with special economic zones annually addition by providing basic services and per capita focus on agribusiness zones disaggregated by infrastructure and and mining activities domestic and foreign needed services 8.3.1 Proportion Economic Formalize at least Formalization of Number of of informal Economic Commerce and diversification Formal businesses Businesses 10,000 informal commerce and businesses formally employment in total TBD Transformation Industry and value increased registered businesses industrial activities registered annually employment, by addition nationwide sector and sex 17.3.1 Additional Attraction of Secure at least $1 Economic Total amount financial resources FDI for priority Increased FDI billion in FDI; with Economic Commerce and diversification of FDI attracted mobilized for sectors, especially contribution to FDI attracted TBD agribusiness, tourism Transformation Industry and value disaggregated by developing for agribusiness, GDP and mining sectors addition sector countries from tourism and mining accounting for 50% multiple sources National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 209 Targets 210 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Support to franchising Increased 17.3.2 Volume Economic investment in investment of remittances Establish at least Franchising Value of diaspora- Economic Commerce and diversification priority areas opportunities (in United States two (2) diaspora- investment led franchising 0 Transformation Industry and value through the for diaspora dollars) as a led franchising increased investments (USD) addition diaspora, especially community proportion of total investments in agribusiness, participation GDP mining and tourism Value of Implementation Increase Government's government's of a business in revenue ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID revenue in USD revenue in Implement at least Economic Commerce and Business Enabling regulatory reform, generated generated from USD generated 0 10 major regulatory National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Transformation Industry Environment especially in mining from mining mining concessions disaggregrated by reforms concessions and concessions and and lottery sectors mining concessions lottery sectors lottery sectors and lottery sectors Strengthening 9.c.1 Proportion of institutional Enhanced Strengthen the Percentage of of population Economic Commerce and Business Enabling capacity in modern institutional Businesses with institutional capacity businesses adopting covered by a TBD Transformation Industry Environment business practices operational digital solutions with training of at digital solutions mobile network, by and digital efficiency least 50 officials technology compliance tools Expansion and Number of additional One Stop Shop Decrease the time to Economic Commerce and Business Enabling modernization of Improved ease of One Stop Shop location established TBD establish a company Transformation Industry Environment One Stop Shop doing business location established in counties to 24 hours business registry in counties Development of 9.5.1 Research Improved Number of local Implement the Economic Commerce and Business Enabling a robust national Local innovation and development innovation and innovation outputs TBD national intellectual Transformation Industry Environment intellectual outputs expenditure as a creativity patented annually property ecosystem property ecosystem proportion of GDP Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Support to inclusive MSME credit and insurance products Improved access Amount of MSMEs Increase inclusive to Liberian-owned to inclusive credit credit granted to 9.3.2 Proportion MSMEs credit micro finance Economic Commerce and Business Enabling businesses, and insurance Liberian owned of small-scale granted to Liberian TBD support to Liberian Transformation Industry Environment especially for products for businesses industries with a owned businesses owned businesses youth and women Liberian-owned disaggregrated by loan or line of credit by 30% and focused on MSMEs gender and location agribusiness, tourism and mining Development of investment and Domestic and re-investment Increased Share of investment 9.2.1 Manufacturing Rationalize and foreign investment Economic Commerce and Business Enabling incentives in domestic to GDP in value added as a develop Investment in agribusiness, TBD Transformation Industry Environment priority sector, and foreign agribusiness, mining proportion of GDP and re-investment mining and tourism especially investment and tourism sectors and per capita incentives sectors agribusiness, mining and tourism Enhanced Number of Liberian export Improvement of credibility and Liberian export Establish at least four products meeting Economic Commerce and Business Enabling accreditation and competitiveness products meeting accreditation and international TBD Transformation Industry Environment certification system of Liberian international certification facilities certification and facilities products and certification nationwide standards services standards Reduced food shortages 2.4.1 Proportion of Metric ton of food Supporting the and increased agricultural area Decrease imports of Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash crops produced increase of food availability of Food crop produced under productive TBD food crop products Transformation Fisheries Crop Production (disaggregated by crop production nutritious food for and sustainable by 30% type of food crops). local and national agriculture consumption Growth in export revenue from cash Increased Metric ton of cash Supporting the crops by 30 % National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash production in the crop produced increase of cash Cash crop produced TBD Decrease imports Transformation Fisheries Crop Production volume of cash (disaggregated by crop production of agricultural crop type of cash crop) processed products by 30% ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 211 212 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Supporting Volume (metric 9.2.1 Manufacturing Decrease imports inclusive Increased income ton) of agriculture Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash Agriculture products value added as a of agricultural agricultural food in agribusiness products processed TBD Transformation Fisheries Crop Production processed locally proportion of GDP processed products and non-food value enterprises locally disaggregated and per capita by 30% chains by type Increase number of farmers adopting climate smart irrigation ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID techniques by 30% Farmers adopting 2.4.1 Proportion of Increased in Formalize and National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Promotion of Climate resilient climate resilient agricultural area Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash crop yields using capacitate additional climate smart irrigation systems irrigation systems under productive 0.5% Transformation Fisheries Crop Production climate smart 100 farmers irrigation adopted disaggregated by and sustainable irrigation cooperatives with gender and county agriculture climate resilient and ecological practices in agriculture, energy and alternative livelihood 2.5.1 Number of Number of improved (a) plant and (b) high yielding crop animal genetic Strengthening Crop and animal Improved food and animal varieties resources for food Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash of research and varieties produced Increase local seeds and nutrition produced and and agriculture TBD Transformation Fisheries Crop Production development in and adopted by production by 30% security adopted by farmers secured in either agriculture farmers disaggregated by medium- or long- type term conservation facilities 2.3.1 Volume of Metric ton of production per Implementation Home-grown food Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash Nutritional status home-grown food labour unit by Decrease imports of of home-grown produced and TBD Transformation Fisheries Crop Production improved produced and classes of farming/ food crops by 30% feeding projects supplied supplied annually pastoral/forestry enterprise size Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Formalize and capacitate additional 100 farmers Formalization Farmers Farmers Number of farmers cooperatives with Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash of farmers cooperative cooperatives cooperatives 50 climate resilient and Transformation Fisheries Crop Production cooperatives strengthened established established ecological practices in agriculture, energy and alternative livelihood Number of farmers Enhancing 2.a.1 The agriculture Farmers reached by reached by extension Decrease imports of Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash agriculture Increased in crop orientation index extention services services annually TBD food crop products Transformation Fisheries Crop Production extension capacity yields for government annually (disaggregated by by 30% and service delivery expenditures gender and county) Support the creation of Number of storage mechanization storage and and preservation Economic Agriculture and Food and Cash hubs in production Reduction in post Reduce post harvest preservation facilities installed 70% Transformation Fisheries Crop Production clusters for both harvest losses losses by at least 20% facilities (disaggregated by production and county) post-harvest handling 2.3.1 Volume of production per Livestock Supporting the Economic Agriculture and Increased live Number of livestock labour unit by Produce 450,000 tons and Poultry increase of livestock Livestock produced TBD Transformation Fisheries stock produced classes of farming/ of poultry meat Production production pastoral/forestry enterprise size Livestock Supporting the Increased food Economic Agriculture and Metric ton of poultry Metric ton of poultry Produce 450,000 tons and Poultry increase of poultry and nutrition TBD Transformation Fisheries meat meat produced of poultry meat Production meat production security Livestock Supporting the Economic Agriculture and Increased eggs Metric tons of eggs Produce 40 million and Poultry increase of egg Eggs produced TBD Transformation Fisheries production produced carts of eggs Production production National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Livestock Economic Agriculture and Supporting animal Increased animal Kilograms of animal Kilograms of animal Decrease imports of and Poultry TBD Transformation Fisheries feed production feed production feed feed produced animal feed by 30% Production ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 213 214 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Strengthening Livestock Increase national Economic Agriculture and the national Improved animal Animal health Veterinarian services and Poultry 0 veterinary service Transformation Fisheries veterinarian service health improved delivered Production delivery system delivery system 14.7.1 Sustainable fisheries as a Supporting proportion of GDP Increased Economic Agriculture and the increase of Metric ton of fish in small island Decrease imports of Fish Production sustainable fish Fish captured TBD Transformation Fisheries sustainable fish Landed developing States, fish products by 30% captured ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID captures least developed countries and all National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 countries 14.4.1 Proportion Supporting the Improved Economic Agriculture and Fish farmers Metric tons of fish of fish stocks Produce 600,000 Fish Production development of sustainable TBD Transformation Fisheries capacity enhanced harversted within biologically metirc tons of fish aquaculture aquaculture sustainable levels 14.1.1 (a) Index Marine and Supporting to the Metric ton of of coastal Economic Agriculture and Blue economy freshwater Implement blue Fish Production development of the solid plastic waste eutrophication; and TBD Transformation Fisheries enhanced environments economy initiatives blue economy collected (b) plastic debris conserved density Economic Agriculture and Support to salt Salt product Coverage of salt Produce 500 tons of Fish Production Salt produced TBD Transformation Fisheries production strengthened produced salt per year 14.6.1 Degree of implementation Supporting the Improved Availability of of international Formalize additional Economic Agriculture and establishment of sustainable Processed fish Fish Production processed fish instruments aiming 0 50 cooperatives of Transformation Fisheries commercial fish commercial fish products products to combat illegal, fishing operators processing processing unreported and unregulated fishing Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 14.b.1 Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/ Increased income Formation of Formalize the Number of fisheries policy/institutional Economic Agriculture and and market access registered fisheries Decrease imports of Fish Production informal operators cooperatives framework which Transformation Fisheries for small-scale cooperatives small- fish products by 30% into cooperatives formally registered recognizes and fishers scale fishers protects access rights for small-scale fisheries Increased Government revenue 17.1.1 Total Formalization revenue for generated from Mineral Revenue generated government Formalize 15 Artisanal Economic Extractive of artisanal & formalized licenses and taxes on Resource from formalized revenue as a 0 & Small-scale Mining Transformation Industry small-scale mining artisanal & small- formalized artisanal Management ASM operations proportion of GDP, into cooperatives production scale mining and small scale by source production miner operations Liberia Mineral Development of Update Liberia Mineral resource Availability of Liberia Economic Extractive mineral resource Mineral Resource Mineral Resource Resource geological map Mineral Resource 1 Transformation Industry geological and geo- map Geological and geo- Management produced and in Geological Map physical maps physical Maps use Mining operations Percentage of mining Increase mining Support climate Reduction in Mineral utilizing climate operations utilizing operations utilizing Economic Extractive responsive mineral enviromental Resource responsive climate responsive 0 climate responsive Transformation Industry production and impact of mining Management technologies and technologies and technologies and value chains activities practices practices practices by 30% Improved Increase FDI in all Mineral Improvement of Economic Extractive transparency Compliance with segments of the Resource mining business EITI score 75% Transformation Industry in mining EITI benchmarks mining value chain Management environment regulations by at least 10 percent Improvement Percentage of 16.7.2 Proportion Increase percentage Women and of Gender and women and of population who of women and Enhanced marginalize groups Safeguarding marginalize groups believe decision- marginalize groups Mineral inclusitivity participating Economic Extractive frameworks and participating in making is inclusive participating in Resource and equity in in decision 0 Transformation Industry environment social decision making and responsive, by decision making National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Management concession making related impact processes processes relating sex, age, disability processes relating communities to concession for concession to concession and population to cencession agreements communities agreements group agreements by 15% ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 215 216 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Gas tanks: metric tons 18894 in US gals 6,612,900 Mineral Expansion and PMS storage Number of storage Fuel tanks: Economic Extractive Increased national Construct 17,000mt Resource mordenization of and laboratory mordenize and mt 26,964 Transformation Industry storage capacity storage facility Management oil and gas storage constructed expanded in US gals 8,278,032 Jet fuel tanks: ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID mt 5,177 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 in US gals 1,656,480 Strengthening local capacity Percentage of Issue 20 new Mineral in upstream, Increased Training programs Economic Extractive staff completing exploration licenses Resource midstream and technical delivered (Safety, 0 Transformation Industry mandatory and in the upstream oil Management down stream competence technical skills) operational trainings and gas sector of oil and gas development Percentage of Revision of MDA stakeholders who mechanism to actively participated Revise the Mineral Mineral include equity Increased in consultations Economic Extractive Stakeholders Development Resource participation stakeholders Number for TBD Transformation Industry consultation reports Agreement (MDA) Management of Liberia and satisfaction feedbacks received mechanism Liberians in mining from community sector members during consultation Policies and Tourism guidelines that Tourism, Culture Availability of Establish and Economic Development, Establishment of a Increased Tourism govern tourism and Creative Tourism Authority 0 capacitate the Transformation Branding and Tourism Authority activities development Economy act Tourism Authority Marketing management and promotion created Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Branding and Tourism marketing of Brand and Tourism, Culture Increased visitors Branding and Percentage increase Economic Development, Liberian tourism, commercialize and Creative awareness and marketing materials in number of annual 0 Transformation Branding and with focus on Liberian touristic Economy interest developed visitors Marketing nature and culture destinations tourism Number of visitors Improved touristic to newly developed Tourism satisfaction touristics products 8.9.1 Tourism direct Tourism, Culture Development of New touristics Develop 25 eco- Economic Development, as a result of and sites within a GDP as a proportion and Creative touristic products products and sites 0 tourism sites across Transformation Branding and diverse and specific timeframe of total GDP and in Economy and sites developed the country Marketing well developed (disaggregated growth rate offerings quarterly and annually) Increased number of stakeholders Number of Increased dialog actively participating Tourism Improvement of Stakeholders stakeholders actively Tourism, Culture and trust among in coordination Economic Development, coordination and coordination participating and Creative different sectors 0 meetings and Transformation Branding and tourism value chain mechanism in coordination Economy of the tourism workshops 2000 Marketing development established meetings and value chain Develop 25 eco- workshops tourism sites across the country Improved Number of skills among stakeholders trained 50% of stakeholder stakeholders Learning module Tourism and percentage reporting improved Tourism, Culture Tourism in areas such and training Economic Development, reporting improved knowledge and and Creative Stakeholders as hospitality, materials developed 0 Transformation Branding and knowledge and skills skills (based on pre Economy Capacity Building marketing and distributed to Marketing post training (based and post training sustainable participants on pre and post assessment) annually practices and training assessment) customer service Improvement of Develop and Tourism Statistical and Tourism, Culture the provision of Statistical Availability operationalize the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Economic Development, other information 17.18.1 Statistical and Creative statistical and other information of statistical 0 Liberia tourism Transformation Branding and in the sector capacity indicators Economy information in the provided information website with trip Marketing strengthened sector journeys ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 217 218 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 12.b.1 Implementation of standard Tourism Count of new Tourism, Culture Improvement of the Strengthened accounting tools Increase international Economic Development, Investment climate tourism-related and Creative investment climate investment to monitor the 0 tourists’ arrivals by Transformation Branding and for tourism created businesses registered Economy for the sector climate economic and 10% Marketing annually environmental aspects of tourism sustainability ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Tourism Support hotels Training manuals Percentage of Tourism, Culture Economic Development, in improving on- Improved and guide enrolled staff who Increase domestic National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 and Creative 0 Transformation Branding and the-job training employees skills developed and completed the tourism trips by 10% Economy Marketing programs distributed training program Cultural events, Tourism, Culture Enhanced cultural festivals or Number of attendees Economic Culture and Promotion of Increase visits to and Creative awareness and exhibition organized at cultural events 1 Transformation Creative Economy Cultural Heritage cultural sites by 30% Economy identity to showcase local and festivals heritage Growth in the Volume of grants Tourism, Culture revenue or Number of jobs Organize 5 creative Economic Culture and Development of the or investments and Creative market share of created in the TBD economy trade fairs Transformation Creative Economy Creative Economy provided to creative Economy creative economy creative industries. with private sector industries. businesses. Improved access Partnerships formed Percentage of Tourism, Culture Support financing to financial Increase financing Economic Culture and with financial creative operators and Creative for creative resources for 0 for creative economy Transformation Creative Economy institutions and with access to formal Economy economy operators creative operators operators by 20% investors financing and job creation Kilometer of 9.1.1 Proportion of Expansion, Improved road Asphalt pavement Primary roads the rural population Pave 485 km of Infrastructure Roads and Basic Roads Network rehabilitation and connectivity and placed on primary paved with asphalt who live within 2 1131 primary roads with Development Infrastructure and Safety maintenance of accessibility roads (disaggregated by km of an all-season asphalt primary roads county) road Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Secondary asphalt, Kilometers of Expansion, rigid, chip seal Expand, rehabilitate Improved road existing, degraded Infrastructure Roads and Basic Roads Network rehabilitation and and laterite and maintain 1,090 connectivity and secondary roads 72 Development Infrastructure and Safety maintenance of road network km of secondary road accessibility rehabilitated or secondary roads rehabilitated and network upgraded Maintained Improved rural connectivity Develop, expand, and access to Kilometers of new Develop, expand, rehabilitate and Feeder roads Infrastructure Roads and Basic Roads Network markets, schools, and existing feeder rehabilitate and maintain 2,500 km rehabilitated and 12 Development Infrastructure and Safety healthcare roads rehabilitated maintain 2,500 km of of feeder roads maintained centers, and and maintained feeder roads network network economic opportunities 9.a.1 Total official Improved quality Amount of international and maintenance National Road Establishment of funds mobilized support (official Infrastructure Roads and Basic Roads Network of road networks Authority Establish 5 Regional the National Road annually for road development 1 Development Infrastructure and Safety at national, established and Operational Hubs Authority infrastructure assistance plus regional, and local operationalized projects other official flows) levels to infrastructure Improved urban mobility and Expansion, connectivity, Urban and Kilometer of urban Upgrade, pave rehabilitation reducing Infrastructure Roads and Basic Roads Network community roads and community and maintain 125 and maintenance congestion TBD Development Infrastructure and Safety rehabilitated and roads upgraded with km of urban and of urban and and enhancing maintained drainage systems community roads community road accessibility within cities and communities Reduced road Number of road traffic fatalities signages installed on and injuries Transport Road safety rehabilitated roads 1,000 pieces traffic Infrastructure Transport and Improve road safety for all road National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Services and infrastructure (disaggregated by TBD signs installed across Development Logistics for all users, including Safety Improved type of signages: the country pedestrians, safety signages/ cyclists, and traffic signages) motorists. ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 219 220 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Reduced incidents Weighbridges Improvement Number of Transport of overloading installed at key entry Infrastructure Transport and and enforcement weighbridges Install 20 Services and and misuse of points of bridges 0 Development Logistics of bridge usage installed at critical weighbridges Safety bridges, ensuring to monitor vehicle compliance bridges safe usage loads Increased road Biometric data safety through Driver licensing Improvement of collection (e.g., Percentage of Transport the issuance of and vehicle Infrastructure Transport and Driver Licensing fingerprints, photos) licenses and Services and valid driver’s TBD registration processes Development Logistics and Vehicle for improved vehicle registration ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Safety licenses and modernized across Registration security and processed digitally proper vehicle the country National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 identification registrations Enhanced compliance with Development international or upgrade of Improvement trade regulations Percentage of Expand and Transport automated customs Infrastructure Transport and of port trade by improving trade transactions modernize four ports Services and clearance systems TBD Development Logistics facilitation and systems for processed and one dry-port in Safety to facilitate faster control services customs electronically Nimba and more accurate clearance, processing of cargo inspection, and documentation Improved road safety through better-trained Driver licensing Development and drivers and Transport Driver testing and Number of driver and vehicle Infrastructure Transport and decentralization of more efficient Services and licensing centers tested and licensed 0 registration processes Development Logistics driver testing and testing processes Safety decentralized per county modernized across licensing centers that ensure the country only qualified individuals obtain driving licenses Increased vehicle Driver licensing Decentralization of Number of county Transport restriction Vehicle registration and vehicle Infrastructure Transport and vehicle registration service centers Services and coverage across services TBD registration processes Development Logistics at county service processing vehicle Safety county service decentralized modernized across centers registration centers the country Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 11.2.1 Proportion of Expansion and population that has Expand and Transport modernization convenient access Infrastructure Transport and Increased public Public transport Availability of public modernize inclusive Services and of inclusive mass to public transport, 25 Development Logistics transport services services available transport services mass public transport Safety public transport by sex, age and services services persons with disabilities Enhanced passenger Support the Multi-purpose Number of Transport experience Establish four Infrastructure Transport and construction of four bus terminal multi-purpose Services and through 0 multi-purpose bus Development Logistics multi-purpose bus constructed and bus terminals Safety modern, safe, terminals terminals fully functional constructed and accessible facilities Enhanced connectivity Rail tracks, signaling between key systems, and Kilometers of Transport Expansion and Expand the railway Infrastructure Transport and economic hubs, stations upgraded to existing rail lines Services and modernization of 0 from Yekepa to Development Logistics ports, cities, and meet modern safety upgraded or Safety railways Guinea border rural areas to and operational rehabilitated support trade and standards development Improved transportation infrastructure Climate-smart ware Construction of that supports Establish four Transport houses constructed Infrastructure Transport and climate-smart more efficient Number of climate- climate-controlled Services and and equipped with 0 Development Logistics warehouses in four movement of smart ware houses warehouses across Safety climate-control counties goods, reducing counties systems delays and improving supply chain reliability. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 221 222 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increased port capacity to handle Construction of Expand and Transport Expansion and larger volumes of additional container Number of Infrastructure Transport and modernize four ports Services and modernization of cargo, enhancing terminals to increase new terminals TBA Development Logistics and one dry-port in Safety port facilities the port’s the port’s capacity constructed Nimba competitiveness for handling in global trade Improvement of Share of air traffic Improve RIA facilities Transport airport services and Improved airport Infrastructure Transport and and safety-related and safety in ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Services and safety to promote to international Air traffic increased TBD Development Logistics incidences reported compliance with air Safety business and standards National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 and addressed traffic regulations tourism services Increased air traffic capacity by expanding and modernizing Airport runway airport expanded and Rehabilitate five Transport Expansion, upgrade Number of state- Infrastructure Transport and infrastructure to terminal buildings domestic airstrips; Services and and modernization of-the art terminals 1 Development Logistics accommodate upgraded to meet Upgrade James Safety of airport facilities available more passengers international Spriggs Payne Airport and cargo, standards boosting national and international connectivity Improved access Enhancement of Cubic meter of 6.1.1 Proportion of Produce and to reliable and Water Resource sustainable urban Reliable clean water water produced and population using distribute 100,000 Infrastructure Water and clean water and Sewage water supply to produced and distributed to urban safely managed 49028 cubic meters (26.5 Development Sewage supply for urban Management businesses and distributed businesses and drinking water million gallons) of businesses and communities communities services water per day communities Supply 10,000 cubic Improved access Enhancement of Cubic meter of meter of water to to reliable and Water Resource sustainable rural Reliable clean water water produced rural communities Infrastructure Water and clean water and Sewage water supply to produced and and distributed to TBD and businesses Development Sewage supply for rural Management businesses and distributed rural businesses and Cater coverage businesses and communities communities increased by 75% communities (rural water) Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 6.2.1 Proportion of Improved access population using to modern and Water Resource Expansion and New sewage (a) safely managed Increased coverage Infrastructure Water and efficient sewage Sewage services and Sewage modernization of treatment plants sanitation services 5% of sewage services Development Sewage systems for urban coverage Management sewage services (STPs) constructed and (b) a hand- to 30% businesses and washing facility with households soap and water Increased efficiency in Water Resource water resource Comprehensive Availability of Infrastructure Water and Updating the water 4.Update the Liberia and Sewage management mapping of surface updated water TBD Development Sewage resource map water resource map Management for agricultural, water resource map industrial, and domestic use Improvement Reduction in 6.3.1 Proportion Improve the fecal Water Resource of fecal sludge environmental Fecal sludge Volume of fecal of domestic Infrastructure Water and sludge management and Sewage management in pollution caused safely treated and sludge safely treated and industrial TBD Development Sewage in Monrovia and Management Monrovia and other by untreated disposed of and disposed of wastewater flows other urban centers urban centers sludge safely treated Upgrading Enhanced ability of electricity Electricity Ensure 100% to monitor Percentage of Energy Resource regulatory Regulatory compliance with the Infrastructure and enforce electricity providers Energy Development and framework framework and 0 upgraded regulatory Development compliance with complying with Management and database database revised framework by all electricity sector updated regulations management and upgraded electricity providers regulations system Rehabilitation of Unit-One (1) Energy Resource of Mount Coffee Increased Infrastructure Unit one of Mount Number of damaged Operationalize 4 Energy Development and Hydro Power Plant electricity 4 Development coffee rehabilitated turbines rehabilited turbines at MCHPP Management (MCHPP) and Saint coverage Paul 2 and Gbedin Hydro National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 223 224 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 New power lines, substations, and Percentage increase Expansion of transformers to in households, Energy Resource regional, businesses increase electricity 7.1.1 Proportion of Increase national Infrastructure Improved Quality businesses, and Energy Development and and communities’ distribution to population with TBD electricity access rate Development of Life public facilities with Management electricity underserved access to electricity by 55% reliable electricity distribution regions, businesses, access and communities installed ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Solar panels, Implementation inverters, and National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Total megawatts Energy Resource of Regional Improved Energy battery storage units Infrastructure (MW) of solar power Increase capacity of Energy Development and Emergency Solar Resilience in deployed in regional 66 Development systems installed in MCHPP to 148 MW Management Power Intervention Emergencies emergency centers, regional facilities (RESPITE) hospitals, and public service facilities Support to providing reliable, cost-effective, Increased Number of and sustainable energy access Households households, 7.2.1 Renewable Energy Resource electricity to Infrastructure for households, and businesses businesses, and energy share in the Increase energy Energy Development and underserved and Development businesses, and connected to OGS community facilities total final energy mixed by 36 MW solar Management remote areas community systems with solar electricity consumption in Liberia by facilities access leveraging off- grid solar (OGS) solutions Enhanced Centralized, geo- accuracy and referenced digital Percentage of 9.c.1 Proportion Communication Implementation efficiency in the postal address National Digital national territory of population Infrastructure Technologies of National Digital delivery of postal, database covering Postal Address Postal Services covered by the covered by a TBD Development and Digital Postal Address emergency, and all residential, System available for digital postal address mobile network, by Economy System public services commercial, and 55% of houses system technology through precise public locations addressing nationwide created Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Online platform Communication for postal services, Percentage of postal Improved Infrastructure Technologies Digitilization of the enabling tracking, services transactions Digitize Postal System Postal Services Efficiency in Postal 0 Development and Digital Postal Services booking, and conducted through and Services by 70% Operations Economy payment of services the digital platform online developed ICT architecture that aligns all Number of GoL government ICT ministries and Integrate 100 GoL Communication Harmonization systems, networks, National ICT Enhanced agencies that ministries and Infrastructure Technologies of GoL ICT and hardware Eco-System and Cybersecurity and have successfully 0 agencies into the Development and Digital Infrastructure and with standardized Digital Societies Data Protection transitioned to the harmonized ICT Economy Services protocols, processes, harmonized ICT system and frameworks infrastructure. developed and implemented Digital infrastructure Achieve 60% of Percentage of to support government services completion in the Communication Increased e-governance available online, National ICT Improvement of development and Infrastructure Technologies Public Access services, including with platforms Eco-System and E-Governance implementation TBD Development and Digital to Government cloud services, data for public service Digital Societies Strategy of the national Economy Services centers, and secure access, feedback, and e-governance networks upgraded participation fully strategy and expanded functional Increased ACE (Africa Coast Fully install and availability of to Europe) fiber activate 100% of Deployment of ACE Total length of the Communication high-speed, optic cable as a ACE fiber cable National ICT fiber cable national ACE and Amilca 17.8.1 Proportion Infrastructure Technologies reliable internet national backbone and complete the Eco-System and backbone and Cabral fiber cables of individuals using TBD Development and Digital across the to enhance internet integration of Amilca Digital Societies landing of Amilca installed across the the Internet Economy country, reducing connectivity and Cabral fiber cable Cabral Fiber Cable country internet access infrastructure into the national disparities installed backbone National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 225 226 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced access Training programs Achieve 100% ICT to education established for Number of schools, 9.c.1 Proportion coverage in 100 Communication Integrating ICT National ICT and improved teachers, medical hospitals, and digital of population schools, 50 hospitals, Infrastructure Technologies services in schools, Eco-System and quality of staff, and local villages equipped covered by a 0 and 30 digital Development and Digital health facilities and Digital Societies learning through community with ICT tools and mobile network, by villages, ensuring full Economy digital villages digital tools and members on using internet connectivity technology access to digital tools platforms ICT tools effectively and services ICT startups, Achieve a 30% Communication including Number of ICT National ICT increase in the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Infrastructure Technologies Increasing ICT start- Increased Number incubators, startups created Eco-System and TBD number of ICT Development and Digital up society of ICT Startups accelerators, and as a result of the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Digital Societies startups across the Economy co-working spaces intervention country setup Training programs, 4.4.1 Proportion workshops, and Number of of youth and Achieve a 50% Communication Enhanced mentorship women and youth National ICT Supporting women adults with increase in the Infrastructure Technologies Skills and initiatives to build entrepreneurs Eco-System and and youth ICT information and TBD number of ICT Development and Digital Competencies of the ICT skills of trained in ICT and Digital Societies Enterpreneurs communications startups led by Economy women and youth women and youth entrepreneurship technology (ICT) women and youth entrepreneurs skills skills, by type of skill implemented Communication Enhancement of Increased Deployment Number of systems National ICT Reduce successful Infrastructure Technologies cyber-security for resilience of of advanced with up-to-date Eco-System and cyberattacks by 50% Development and Digital protection of data systems against cybersecurity tools security patches and Digital Societies within three years Economy and systems cyber threats and infrastructure firewalls Television and radio Percentage increase Communication Installation of coverage expanded Enhanced in the population Increase nationwide Infrastructure Technologies Broadcasting transmission towers to underserved rural Public Access to with access to 1 radio and television Development and Digital Services and repeaters in and urban areas, Information television and coverage to 60% Economy targeted locations ensuring more broadcast services equitable access Completion of Complete Communication comprehensive comprehensive Infrastructure Technologies Broadcasting digital migration Digital taskform Digital task force Coverage of digital digital migration TBD Development and Digital Services across LBS enhanced established task force across LBS Economy broadcasting broadcasting platforms platforms Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Centralized, Percentage increase Complete Digitization of secure digital Communication Increased in the speed of comprehensive archives and archiving system Infrastructure Technologies Broadcasting Efficiency digital transmission digital migration upgrade of for the storage, 0 Development and Digital Services in Record and data sharing across LBS equipment for management, and Economy Management due to upgraded broadcasting digital transmission retrieval of digitized equipment platforms records created Housing policy Develop a Percentage of Modern and framework that comprehensive housing policy Affordable Development and Improved addresses key issues housing policy Infrastructure Housing components Housing strengthening of Housing Sector such as affordability, 0 framework, with Development Development developed and Opportunities housing policy Governance sustainability, at least 80% of key approved by relevant for All and urbanization policy components authorities developed in place Strengthened Number of users Fully operationalize Modern and Evidence-based A centralized, digital (public officials, the housing Affordable Establishment planning and platform to collect, Infrastructure Housing developers, information system, Housing of housing policymaking store, and analyze 0 Development Development researchers, etc.) covering 100% of Opportunities Information System supported by housing data accessing and national housing for All reliable housing established utilizing the system stock data Policies and Modern and Strengthening regulatory reforms Percentage increase Establish partnerships Affordable and expansion Enhanced implemented to in affordable housing that deliver 5,000 Infrastructure Housing Housing of partnerships Housing Sector attract and sustain units available TBD affordable housing Development Development Opportunities for housing Efficiency partnerships due to partnership units across the for All development for housing initiatives country development Enhanced 11.1.1 Proportion Modern and Number of housing housing, Safe, durable, and of urban Affordable units constructed, Construct 1000 Infrastructure Housing Development and sanitation, and affordable housing population living Housing upgraded, or 2116 inclusive housing Development Development upgrading of slums access to utilities units built within in slums, informal Opportunities improved in slum units for residents of slum areas. settlements or for All communities slum communities inadequate housing National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 227 228 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 11.a.1 Number of countries that have national urban Enhanced living Comprehensive policies or regional Modern and standards for Number of urban development development plans Affordable Re-qualification residents due to comprehensive Re-qualify 10% of Infrastructure Housing and zoning plans that (a) respond Housing of urban and better housing, urban development 0 urban and suburban Development Development created to guide the to population Opportunities suburban areas infrastructure, and plans developed for areas requalification of dynamics; (b) ensure for All access to social suburban areas suburban areas balanced territorial services development; and ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID (c) increase local National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 fiscal space 1.4.2 Proportion of total adult population with Increased Modern and secure tenure rights Development of availability of Serviced plots Percentage of Affordable to land, (a) with Commercialize 5000 Infrastructure Housing site and service affordable and provided serviced plots Housing legally recognized 0 plots for public Development Development schemes for citizens serviced plots for housing developed into Opportunities documentation, and servants and diaspora and the Diaspora for housing development homes for All (b) who perceive development their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure Affordable Modern and Provision of Deliver 50,000 mortgage, rent- Affordable housing for public Improved Living Number of housing housing units for Infrastructure Housing to-own, or subsidy Housing servants, especially Conditions for units built for public 0 public servants, with Development Development programs for public Opportunities security, health and Public Servants servants 50% located in rural servants to access for All education officers or underserved areas housing established Commercialization Housing units Modern and of affordable constructed that Number of housing 1000 acres of land Affordable Increased Access Infrastructure Housing housing and meet affordability units built under purchased for Housing to Affordable 0 Development Development plots to empower standards for low- affordable housing construction of Opportunities Housing citizens to build and middle-income programs housing for All their own homes households. Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 16.3.3 Proportion of Total cases directed the population who Supporting the to ADR mechanisms have experienced Alleviation of enactment and (e.g., mediation, a dispute in the Justice Policy court congestion Localized conflict Operationalize Justice and operationalization arbitration, past two years and Rule of Law Reform and by diverting resolution through 1 alternative dispute Human Rights of the alternative conciliation) by who accessed a Decentralization suitable cases to ADR mechanisms resolution law dispute resolution courts, institutions, formal or informal ADR mechanisms law or parties. dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism Enhanced elimination Number of of outdated, Completed drafts amendments to the Justice Policy Revision of ambiguous, Review the Justice and of constitutional constitution and Rule of Law Reform and constitutional and or conflicting TBD constitution and Human Rights amendments, bills, existing Laws, new Decentralization legal regimes provisions, other laws and related policies bills approved by ensuring clarity parliament and coherence in legal systems A fully integrated Establishment of digital Total number of an integrated legal platform storing Publish 110 Executive Justice Policy Improved registered users Justice and codification system Supreme Court Orders, volumes of Rule of Law Reform and access to legal (lawyers, judges, 0 Human Rights for the supreme rulings, statutes, LCLR and Liberia Law Decentralization information government officials, court opinions and judicial opinions, reports academial, public). other statutes and other legal documents Centralized digital platform for Introduction managing all case- Percentage of cases Justice Policy of digital Increased Increase digitalized Justice and related information, filed electronically Rule of Law Reform and technologies in accessibility to 0 court proceedings Human Rights including filings, versus paper-based Decentralization court proceedings court proceedings by 50% scheduling, filings management hearings, and National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 decisions ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 229 230 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Empowerment Percentage of BCR of the Bureau Improved budget allocated of Correction to corrections and BCR autonomous Ensure semi- Justice Policy to key areas Justice and become semi- rehabilitation operational autonomous status Rule of Law Reform and such as inmate 0 Human Rights autonomous management management for Bureau of Decentralization rehabilitation, facility and improve and operational systems Correction maintenance, and Corrections efficiency staff training Services Reduced instances ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID of judicial Number of misconduct due to Achieve a 30% National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Justice Policy Strengthening Enhanced disciplinary actions Justice and the implementation increase in public Rule of Law Reform and judicial ethics and Integrity of the taken against judges TBD Human Rights of stronger ethics trust in the judiciary Decentralization public confidence Judiciary or court personnel guidelines and over the next 5 years, for ethical violations enforcement mechanisms 5.2.2 Proportion of women and girls Expansion, Increased court Number of aged 15 years and modernization and Ensure that 65% of access and coverage specialized courts older subjected to Justice Policy decentralization of Increased access urban and rural areas Justice and for GBV survivors, for GBV, juvenile, sexual violence by Rule of Law Reform and justice services with to justice for GBV TBD have access to GBV Human Rights juveniles, and and family cases persons other than Decentralization a focus on GBV, cases specialized court by families in rural and an intimate partner juvenile and family 3-5 years underserved areas established in the previous 12 courts months, by age and place of occurrence Strengthened Achieve formal Strengthening community Number of cases legal recognition Justice Policy Cases resolved Justice and traditional/ cohesion and resolved by of traditional/ Rule of Law Reform and through traditional TBD Human Rights community justice the promotion of traditional justice community justice Decentralization justice mechanisms mechanisms restorative justice mechanisms mechanisms in 25% of jurisdictions Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Number of legal aid services offered (disaggregated Strengthening Increased Justice services by specialized Strengthen access Justice Policy access to justice accessibility of Justice and provided got PWDs services such as to justice services Rule of Law Reform and services for Justice services TBD Human Rights and vulneralbe sign language for PWDs and other Decentralization PWDs and other for PWDs and groups interpreters, vulnerable persons vulnerable persons vulnerable groups Braille materials, or other assistive technologies). Number of legal aid Justice Policy offices established Justice and Passage of the Reduced legal Operationalize the Rule of Law Reform and Legal aid act passed and operationalized 0 Human Rights Legal Aid Act inequities Legal Aid Act Decentralization within the first year of the Act’s passage National laws and 5.c.1 Proportion policies revised or Number of national Mainstreaming of countries with Increase Liberia’s Strengthened newly enacted to laws and policies and domestication systems to track compliance to human Justice Policy legal protection integrate gender revised or enacted Justice and of gender and and make public right rating by 80%; Rule of Law Reform and for gender equality and human to align with TBD Human Rights human rights laws allocations for Include human Decentralization equality and rights principles international gender into national legal gender equality rights in educational human rights (e.g., family law, and human rights instruments and women’s curricula labor law, and standards empowerment criminal law) Enhanced credibility, capacity, and Drafting and Number of new Revise and enact independence of Justice Policy Conduct of policy adoption of new policies that address at least 5 key laws Justice and key institutions Rule of Law Reform and reforms for the rule policies that address gaps in the rule TBD or policies related Human Rights such as the Decentralization of law institutions gaps in the rule of of law institutions to rule of law judiciary, law law institutions drafted and adopted institutions enforcement agencies, and other legal bodies National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 231 232 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 16.b.1 Proportion of population reporting having Support to the personally felt protection of the Rights of vulnerable Number of laws Improved rights discriminated Increase advocacy rights of citizens groups (such as addressing the rights and protection against or harassed for the passage Justice and Enforcement of and residents, anti-discrimination, and protection of Rule of Law for vulnerable in the previous TBD of vulnerable Human Rights Human Rights including anti-violence, and vulnerable and and marginalized 12 months on the and marginalized vulnerable and social protection marginalized groups persons basis of a ground legislations marginalized laws) protected enforced of discrimination ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID groups prohibited under National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 international human rights law 4.7.1 Extent to which (i) global Educational citizenship materials, including Percentage of education and textbooks, lesson schools (primary, Promote the (ii) education plans, multimedia secondary, and inclusion of Increased human for sustainable Human rights Justice and Enforcement of resources, and tertiary) where Rule of Law human rights in rights awareness development are TBD course included in Human Rights Human Rights interactive tools, human rights topics the educational and knowledge mainstreamed in (a) educational curricula to support human are included as curricula national education rights education part of the formal policies; (b) developed and curriculum curricula; (c) teacher distributed education; and (d) student assessment Annual report detailing the Strengthen country’s progress 16.a.1 Existence 100% of human the national Enhanced Annual human rights on implementing of independent rights reports mechanism for compliance with report in compliance Justice and Enforcement of international human national human are submitted on Rule of Law reporting and international with international TBD Human Rights Human Rights rights instruments, rights institutions in time and meet follow ups on human rights standards published status of compliance with the international all human rights obligations on time recommendations, Paris Principles reporting standards. instruments and challenges published Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Revised NHRAP that incorporates current human Strengthened rights situation, Revision of the compliance with Review atleast one Justice and Enforcement of gaps, challenges, Rule of Law national human international Revised NHRAP 1 human right action Human Rights Human Rights and areas for rights action plan human rights plan improvement, obligations baseline and measurable indicators Support the Increased Number of successful establishment War and Economic Establish the War Justice and Enforcement of accountability for convictions in war Rule of Law of the war and crime court 0 and Economic crimes Human Rights Human Rights War and Economic and economic crimes economics crime established court Crimes cases Court Number of Strengthening Improved personnel's capacity Strengthen at least Public Safety administrative professional Administrative and stregthened Public Safety 500 Administrative Rule of Law and National and operational standards of operational capacity (disaggregated TBD Readiness and operational staff Defense capacity of personnel and of institutions built by sex and type capacity institutions services of capacity strengthened). Expansion, Construction or Increased Number of public Public Safety modernization and refurbishment Increase access to Public Safety accessibility to safety offices Rule of Law and National decentralization of public safety TBD safety services by Readiness public safety operational in rural Defense of public safety facilities in rural and 20% services and urban areas services urban areas Increased accessiblity of Number of Expansion, essential services Establishment of specialized units Expand, modernize Public Safety modernization and Public Safety for women shelters, support established within and decentralize Rule of Law and National decentralization TBD Readiness and children, centers, and one- security agencies for Women and Children Defense of Women and including legal stop service hubs women and children Services Children Services aid, and social services. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 support ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 233 234 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 16.2.2 Number of Expansion and Enhanced E-immigration Percentage victims of human Ensure 50% of the Public Safety Public Safety modernization Accessibility to platforms for online reduction in illegal trafficking per population has Rule of Law and National 20% Readiness of immigration Immigration applications and immigration and 100,000 population, access to immigration Defense services Services tracking established trafficking incidents by sex, age and services form of exploitation 3.5.1 Coverage New policies or of treatment updates to existing Development and interventions Reduced laws related to drug Percentage ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Public Safety implementation (pharmacological, Public Safety prevalence control, substance reduction in Reduce substance Rule of Law and National of the drug and psychosocial and 0 National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Readiness of drug and abuse treatment, substance abuse abuse rates by 50% Defense substance abuse rehabilitation and substance abuse or penalties for rates action plan aftercare services) drug-related crimes for substance use developed disorders Unified Emergency Implementation Preparedness and Percentage of Improved Public Safety of National Response Plan emergencies Increase emergency Public Safety emergency Rule of Law and National Emergency outlining roles, managed within TBD preparedness Readiness response Defense Preparedness and responsibilities, established capacity efficiency Response and operational timeframes procedures 11.b.2 Proportion of Number of new local governments fire stations that adopt and Expansion, Public Safety Improved established in rural implement local Public Safety modernization and Fire Services Decrease incidents Rule of Law and National accessibility to fire and urban areas disaster risk TBD Readiness decentralization of Network expanded fire outbreaks by 30% Defense services Number of modern reduction strategies fire services fire equipment in line with national purchsed disaster risk reduction strategies Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 11.b.1 Number of countries that adopt Comprehensive, and implement Number of Improvement of Enhanced multi-hazard national disaster risk Public Safety operational Establish at least Public Safety national disaster National disaster reduction strategies Rule of Law and National emergency shelters 4 10 regional disaster Readiness preparedness and Readiness for preparedness plan in line with the Defense and command centers response Disasters developed and Sendai Framework centers implemented for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015– 2030 Ensure 90% of Number of reported grievances Increased Community policing Public Safety Improvement community- are addressed Public Safety Community initiatives across Rule of Law and National of community reported cases of TBD within three months Readiness Trust in Security urban and rural Defense engagement security personnel Decrease the number Services areas provided misconduct of crimes per 100,000 inhabitants by 20% Recruitment, Public Safety training and Increased Ready and capable Number of new Recruit, Train and Public Safety Rule of Law and National equipping security adequate staffing security sector personnel recruited TBD Equip security sector Readiness Defense sector personnel as capacities forces annually personnel required Construct 10 new Improved ability operational and Building and of defense forces Operational bases, Number of new Public Safety Sovereignty of modernize 75% of equipping national to respond to command centers, operational facilities Rule of Law and National the National TBD existing facilities , defense operational national and and regional hubs constructed and Defense Territory including regional facilities regional security established upgraded command centers threats and specialized bases Modern housing Renovate 150 AFL Public Safety Sovereignty of Renovation and Number of housing Improved living facilities to meet the Housing Units and Rule of Law and National the National construction of AFL units constructed or 155 conditions growing needs of construt 110 new Defense Territory housing units renovated annually AFL personnel facilities National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 235 236 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced reduction in National Security internal and Number of Framework, training Public Safety Sovereignty of Development of the external threats, cybersecurity Maintain high level programs, and Rule of Law and National the National National Security ensuring the defenses or firewalls of preparedness for new cybersecurity Defense Territory Strategy protection installed and the AFL infrastructure of citizens, operational completed infrastructure, and sovereignty ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Enhanced Comprehensive Public Safety Sovereignty of Securing national protection of security protocols Number of defense Protect National National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Rule of Law and National the National TBD defense assets critical defense for all defense assets assests protected Defense Assests Defense Territory infrastructure implemented Development and Develop and Public Safety Sovereignty of Enhanced Percentage of AFL operationalization Welfare and Pension operationalize AFL Rule of Law and National the National Personnel Well-Be personnel enrolled in 0 of AFL Welfare and Services Delivered Welfare and Pension Defense Territory ing the pension scheme Pension Policy Policy Public Safety Sovereignty of Amendment of Availability of Strengthened National Defense act Amend the National Rule of Law and National the National 2008 National amended National 1 National Defense of 2008 amended Defense act of 2008 Defense Territory Defense Act Defense act Number of personnel Public Safety Sovereignty of Enhanced Deployment of Activation of the trained, deployed, Rule of Law and National the National Operational operational aircraft 0 Activate AFL Air Wing AIR Wing and integrated into Defense Territory Capabilities of AFL with trained crews. Air Wing. Supporting International International Public Safety Sovereignty of Availability of Support International International Peace Mission Peace Mission Rule of Law and National the National International Peace 170 Peace Mission Peace Mission preparedness preparedness Defense Territory Mission Preparedness Preparedness strengthened available Enhanced 16.9.1 Proportion Mass enrollment efficiency Nationwide of children under 5 Increase enrollment Expansion and Percentage of the Governance Transparency into the National and reduced enrollment centers years of age whose into the National Modernization of target population and Anti and Bio-metric and duplication in to facilitate births have been 14% Bio-metric and Governance and enrolled in the Corruption Accountability Identification government registration registered with a Identification System Audit Services biometric system System programs and established civil authority, by to 90% service delivery age Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Fully functional 12.7.1 Number electronic Number of Implementation of countries Expansion and government government Governance Transparency of the electronic Improved implementing Migrate 80 MACs to Modernization of procurement (e-GP) MACs using the and Anti and government Efficiency and sustainable public 0 the e-procurement Governance and system to streamline e-GP system for Corruption Accountability procurement Timeliness procurement platform Audit Services procurement procurement system (eGP) policies and action processes activities plans developed Comprehensive Percentage Price Index Database completion of the Expansion and Development Governance Transparency Increased created that Price Index Database, Develop and Modernization of of Price Index and Anti and Transparency in includes common including data 0 operationalize price Governance and Database for Corruption Accountability Pricing user items to track collection systems, index database Audit Services common user items their prices over user interface, and time reporting capabilities Internal Audit Percentage of Management internal audit Expansion and Implementation System designed departments where Implement internal Governance Transparency Modernization of of internal audit Improved Audit to streamline audit the Internal Audit audit system for local and Anti and 0 Governance and management Efficiency processes, enhance Management System government and Corruption Accountability Audit Services system efficiency, and (IAMS) is successfully revenue sharing law ensure compliance deployed and with standards. operational Key national documents and Expansion and Digitalization Governance Transparency Improved records digitized Percentage of Digitize national Modernization of and protection of and Anti and Accessibility to including historical, national documents TBD documents and Governance and national documents Corruption Accountability National Records legal, governmental, and records digitized records system Audit Services and records and cultural materials Digital platform developed that Percentage of key Expansion and links decentralized archival materials Governance Transparency Increased Access Digitize national Modernization of Decentralization of archival services, digitized and made National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 and Anti and to Archival TBD documents and Governance and archival services allowing for available for online Corruption Accountability Resources records system Audit Services centralized tracking access or at regional and retrieval across centers different locations ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 237 238 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Number of new Laws, regulations, Strengthening or updated laws, Strengthen Expansion and Increased and guidelines Governance Transparency institutional regulations, or institutional Modernization of Accountability in aimed at enforcing and Anti and capacity to enforce policies introduced TBD capacity to enforce Governance and Public and Private transparency Corruption Accountability transparency to enforce transparency Audit Services Sectors standards across key standards transparency standards sectors developed standards Percentage of Expansion and relevant extractive Governance Transparency Ensuring Improved EITI Compliance ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Modernization of sector data collected Full compliance with and Anti and compliance to EITI Governance in the Framework TBD Governance and and reported EITI standards National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Corruption Accountability Standards Extractive Sector Established Audit Services according to EITI requirements Enhancement of Enhanced Percentage of Achieve a 50 Expansion and Governance Transparency auditing quality Compliance with Auditing national auditing percent increase in Modernization of and Anti and and compliance International Frameworks and practices aligned TBD unqualified audit Governance and Corruption Accountability to international Auditing Standards updated with international opinions in the public Audit Services auditing standards Standards auditing standards sector Electoral laws, Sustainable Strengthening Number of electoral Strengthen and Governance Transparency guidelines, and Democratic elections Enhanced laws, policies, or operationalize and Anti and procedures 0 Governance management Electoral Integrity guidelines updated election Corruption Accountability reviewed, updated Reform processes or introduced management system and implemented 4.7.1 Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education Sustainable Enhancing civic and Civic Education Number of Improve civic and Governance Transparency for sustainable Democratic voter education Increased Political Programs Civic Education voter education and Anti and development are TBD Governance and public Participation Developed and Campaigns through public Corruption Accountability mainstreamed in (a) Reform engagement Implemented Conducted engagements national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improved Number of E-government resource e-government Sustainable platforms, Governance Transparency utilization and platforms, Implement public Democratic Conducting public automation, and Anti and streamlined automated systems, TBD sector governance Governance sector reform and other Corruption Accountability processes in or digital tools reform Reform digital solutions public service introduced. established delivery Sustainable Promotion of the Number of sector- Governance Transparency Increased Guidelines and Democratic implementation of specific legal regimes Strengthen sector and Anti and Compliance Compliance Tools TBD Governance sector-specific legal operationalized or specific legal regimes Corruption Accountability Levels Developed Reform regimes updated Enhancement Training workshops, Sustainable Number of staff at Governance Transparency of internal, Enhanced seminars, and Democratic internal, sectoral, and Enhance technicians' and Anti and sectoral and local Institutional certification TBD Governance local government capacities Corruption Accountability government Efficiency programs Reform levels trained technical capacity conducted 16.5.1 Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official Sustainable Increased Number of Governance Transparency Investigating and who paid a Increase prosecution Democratic Detection and Corruption Cases corruption cases and Anti and and prosecuting bribe to a public 6 of corruption cases Governance Resolution of Investigated brought to court for Corruption Accountability corruption cases official, or were by 40% Reform Corruption cases legal action asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months Sustainable Increased Count of new or Governance Transparency Regional, district, or Extend coverage of Democratic Decentralizing anti- Accessibility to operational anti- and Anti and local anti-corruption TBD LACC services to all Governance corruption services Anti-Corruption corruption offices at Corruption Accountability offices established counties Reform Services local levels. Strengthening and Establishment or Sustainable Increased Achieve 80% Governance Transparency decentralization operationalization of Increased in citizens’ Democratic Awareness national coverage and Anti and of freedom of FOI units at regional, understanding of FOI TBD National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Governance and Use of FOI of decentralized FOI Corruption Accountability information district, or local rights and processes. Reform Services services services government levels ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 239 240 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Updated or Percentage decrease Sustainable Enhancement of streamlined Governance Transparency in reported or Enhance compliance Democratic compliance with Improved Ethical compliance and Anti and verified breaches of TBD with the national Governance the national Code Standards protocols and Corruption Accountability the Code of Conduct Code of conduct Reform of conduct monitoring over time frameworks Enhanced Training programs Sustainable perception of conducted for Total employees Governance Transparency Strengthening Democratic transparency, Ombudsman staff trained in Strengthen Office of and Anti and the Office of the 0 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Governance accountability, on investigation, investigation and the Ombudsman Corruption Accountability Ombudsman Reform and fairness in mediation, and case dispute resolution National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 governance. resolution Supporting the development of Improved Number of farmers Governance local communal productivity and Communal farming Public Land Governance and agribusinesses Increase Communal and Anti farming, sustainability cooperatives 0 Administration and Management participating in trade across the country Corruption agribusiness value of local farming established fairs chain and trade communities fairs Enhanced Percentage Inventory or catalog infrastructure increase in tourism Supporting the of key tourist sites, Governance (e.g., roads, revenue from local Public Land Governance identification and including cultural, Touristic sites identify and Anti transportation, businesses (e.g., TBD Administration and Management marketing of local historical, natural, in the 15 counties Corruption signage) and accommodation, touristic sites and adventure better accessibility restaurants, destinations to tourist sites souvenirs) Enhanced crop Identification of Identified sites that Total area (in Identify and production, local communal meet agri-business hectares or acres) operationalize local Governance higher yields Public Land Governance farming and investment criteria of land identified communal farming and Anti per hectare, and TBD Administration and Management agricultural sites for (soil fertility, access as suitable for and agricultural sites Corruption diversification new agri-business to water, market agribusiness for new agri-business of agricultural economic operators proximity) development investors activities Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Well-defined Creation of physical Reduced land Local government Governance physical boundaries Counties physical Public Land Governance boundaries disputes and boundaries and Anti of towns, districts, boundaries TBD Administration and Management delimitations and encroachments successfully Corruption neighborhoods, and harmonization map urban toponymy demarcated public spaces Comprehensive spatial planning frameworks for both urban and rural Governance Strengthening rural Improved land Public Land Governance areas, incorporating Copies of plans Develop a National and Anti and urban spatial use efficiency and TBD Administration and Management zoning regulations, developed Spatial Plan Corruption planning sustainability land use policies, and infrastructure development plans in place 11.3.2 Proportion of cities with a Number of cities direct participation Implementation Minimum chartering 25% of cities adopt Governance adopting and structure of civil Public Land Governance of the minimum Improved urban standards adopted and implement and Anti implementing society in urban 1% Administration and Management standards for governance and implemented minimum chartering Corruption minimum chartering planning and chartering cities by cities standards standards management that operate regularly and democratically 1.4.2 Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights Percentage Governance Establishment Cadastral map Number of cadastral to land, (a) with Public Land Governance increase in Establish National and Anti of the national produced and maps produced and legally recognized 0 Administration and Management registry land Cadastral Corruption cadastral updated updated annually documentation, and parcels (b) who perceive their rights to land National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 as secure, by sex and type of tenure ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 241 242 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Number of land 500 land Strengthening Land management Enhanced management management Governance institutional professionals trained Public Land Governance efficiency in land professionals trained professionals trained and Anti capacity in land in modern practices, 0 Administration and Management management and in modern practices, in modern practices, Corruption management and GIS and cadastral governance GIS and cadastral GIS and cadastral governance mapping mapping mapping 1.4.2 Proportion of total adult population with ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID secure tenure rights Governance Proportion of the to land, (a) with National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Public Land Governance Deed titling Increased land Deed titling services 40% of land in Liberia and Anti population accessing legally recognized 10% Administration and Management services tenure security provided formally titled Corruption deed titling services documentation, and (b) who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure 30% of new and existing land Governance Establishment of a Enhanced Percentage of Public Land Governance deeds digitized and Anti Land Management efficiency in land Land deeds digitized existing land deeds 3% Administration and Management Establish a Land Corruption Information System administration digitized Management Information System Percentage of Land parcels 25% of land parcels land parcels Governance Strengthening Improved land and properties and properties Public Land Governance and properties and Anti of land and real and property documented and documented and Administration and Management documented and Corruption property valuation valuation systems valued in the valued in the national valued in the national database database national database Percentage of Local government Provide capacity local government Capacity Building of Functionality of equipped with building support to Governance equipped with Public Public Service Local Government administrative standard operating all local government and Anti standard operating TBD Administration Decentralization Administrative structures procedures for administrative Corruption procedures for Structures improved key administrative structures in the key administrative functions counties functions Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced effectiveness, Provide capacity Capacity Building Governance efficiency, and Improved delivery Number of public building for public Public Public Service for Public Sector, and Anti accountability of public services to officials and TBD sector, local Administration Decentralization Local Governments Corruption of public sector citizens stakeholders trained governments and and Stakeholders institutions and stakeholders local governments Strengthened Creation and governance and Governance Local government Public Public Service operationalization coordination Ministry of Local Establish the Ministry and Anti ministry created and 1 Administration Decentralization of the Ministry of between national Government in place of Local Government Corruption operationalized Local Government and sub-national governments Establishment of Enhanced Percentage of Establish local Administrative Governance local government adherence to local governments government Public Public Service guidelines and and Anti administrative established implementing the TBD administrative Administration Decentralization regulations Corruption guidelines and guidelines by local new guidelines and guidelines and established regulations government regulations regulations Establishment and empowerment of Improved fiscal County treasuries Number of county 11 county treasuries Governance Public Public Service county treasuries management at and planning units treasuries and established and15 and Anti 4 Administration Decentralization and county the sub-national established and planning units county planning units Corruption development level operationalized operational developed planning units Strengthen Improved capacity Strengthen the municipal of municipalities Governance municipal structures Public Public Service structures and to deliver high- Municipal services Number of municipal and Anti TBD and empower Administration Decentralization empowering quality, efficient, digitized services digitized Corruption municipalities to municipalities to and equitable deliver services deliver services services to citizens 11.6.1 Proportion of municipal solid At least 10 waste Waste disposal Number of urban waste collected Governance Identification and Improved waste disposal sites Public Public Service sites identified waste disposal and managed National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 and Anti ownership of waste management 0 identified and Administration Decentralization and assessed for sites identified and in controlled Corruption disposal sites coverage assessed for enviromental safety assessed facilities out of total enviromental safety municipal waste generated, by cities ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 243 244 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improvement of fiscal devolution Enhanced through the equitable Governance Revenue sharing Full compliance to Implement the Public Public Service establishment of distribution of and Anti law of 2021 the Revenue Sharing 0 revenue sharing Act Administration Decentralization implementation resource between Corruption implemented Law in all counties roadmap for the Central and Local revenue sharing governments law of 2021 Constitution and ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Governance operationalization Improved fiscal Local government Percentage of local Establish Local Public Public Service and Anti of the local autonomy for revenue allocations government revenue 0 Government Fiscal National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Administration Decentralization Corruption government fiscal local governments enhanced allocations board board Number of Construction/ Enhanced International- Governance international- Construct at least 4 Public Public Service modernization of capacity of for standard conference and Anti standard conference 4 modern conference Administration Decentralization conference facilities hosting large facilities constructed Corruption facilities constructed facilities in counties in counties events and operationalized and operationalized Rehabilitate, Percentage of CSCs strengthen and Enhanced access Governance CSCs equipped with equipped with Empower and digitize Public Public Service modernize the to digitized public and Anti integrated digital integrated digital 0 15 county service Administration Decentralization county service services through Corruption platforms platforms to provide centers centers across the CSCs online services country Enhancement Inclusive and Women, youth Programs to support Number of women, Governance of inclusive and gender responsive and PWDs-owned women, youths and Public Public Service youth and PWDs- and Anti gender responsive local economic businesses in TBD PWDs-led businesses Administration Decentralization owned businesses in Corruption local economic development local communities established in all local communities development enhanced increased counties A fully functional Digitization and Performance and integrated Number of MACs and institutionalization Automate and Governance management digital performance local government Public Public Service of performance operationalize and Anti system management using integrated 0 Administration Decentralization management the performance Corruption strengthened and system deployed in digital performance System across the management system decentralized all MACs and local management system country governments Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Awareness creation Awareness on Number of civil All civil servants Governance on occupational Public Public Service Improved occupational health servants trained on trained on and Anti health and safety 0 Administration Decentralization workplace safety and safety created in occupational health occupational health Corruption protocols in the civil service and safety (OHS) and safety (OHS) Civil Service 16.9.1 Proportion of children under 5 Citizens registered Number of citizens Governance Implementation Legal Identity years of age whose Public Public Service and issued with registered and Implement a unified and Anti unified legal Coverage births have been 0 Administration Decentralization legal identity issued legal identity legal identity system Corruption identity system Increased registered with a credentials credentials civil authority, by age 16.7.2 Proportion of population who Percentage increase believe decision- Governance Improvement of Voter turnout in 20% increase in voter Public Peace and Increased civic in voter turnout in making is inclusive and Anti civic education and national and local 66% turnout in national Administration Reconciliation awareness national and local and responsive, by Corruption awareness elections increased and local elections elections sex, age, disability and population group 16.1.4 Proportion of Enhancement of Improve Liberia’s Governance Social cohesion Social Cohesion population that feel Public Peace and social cohesion Improved social Social Cohesion and and Anti and peaceful co- and Reconciliation safe walking alone 6.6 Administration Reconciliation and peaceful co- harmony Reconciliation Index Corruption existence increased (SCORE) index score around the area existence (SCORE) rating to 80% they live after dark Establishment and Number of war and Governance operationalization War and economic Establish war and Public Peace and Transitional economic crime and Anti of the war and crime cases brought 0 economic crimes Administration Reconciliation Justice enhanced cases brought for Corruption economic crimes for trial court trial court Number of participants Strengthening Reduction (disaggregated Increase community Non-violent Governance community in violent by gender, age, awareness of National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Public Peace and conflict resolution and Anti engagements conflicts and and vulnerable 20% non-violent Administration Reconciliation mechanisms in place Corruption on non-violent tensions within groups) trained conflict resolution and functional approaches communities in non-violent mechanisms conflict resolution ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 245 techniques. 246 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Rehabilitation and Construction expansion of key Increased of new waste Governance waste management efficiency in Number of new Public Solid Waste transfer stations Develop two new and Anti infrastructure, waste collection, waste transfer station 3 Administration Management to accommodate landfill sites Corruption including transfer transfer, and and disposal sites increased waste stations and final disposal processes volumes disposal facilities Support the Increased PPPs for waste Number of PPP Sign at least Six (6) Governance increase in Private Sector collection, recycling, agreements PPP agreements with Public Solid Waste ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID and Anti participation of the Participation and waste-to- signed for waste 0% private companies for Administration Management Corruption private sector in in waste energy initiatives management waste management National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 waste management management established initiatives projects Number of new Governance Support the Increased 12.5.1 National Increase waste Public Solid Waste Waste to energy waste-to-energy and Anti increase of waste- Renewable Energy recycling rate, tons 0% recycling rates by Administration Management plants established facilities created and Corruption to-energy initiatives Generation of material recycled 25% operationalized Increase leadership Number of Improvement of the Strengthened roles in multilateral Increase the Governance Liberia in the leadership positions Liberian political Liberian political organizations to number of Liberians and Anti Foreign Affairs International held by Liberia TBD influence at the influence at the gain recognition in international Corruption Context in international international level international level and influence global organizations by 15% organizations decision-making Increased the Exploration of potential of Number of bilateral Governance Liberia in the the potential bilateral and New Bilateral Increase investments and multilateral and Anti Foreign Affairs International of bilateral and multilateral and multilateral TBD from the Liberians trade agreements Corruption Context multilateral agreement and agreement Diaspora by 20% signed agreements enhanced trade opportunities Increasing the Increased Increased Increase the Governance Liberia in the participation Liberians Recruitment of Number of Liberians number of Liberians and Anti Foreign Affairs International of Liberians in participation in qualified Liberians TBD recruited annually in international Corruption Context international International into international organizations by 15% organizations Organization organizations Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improvement Increased of economic foreign direct diplomacy Governance Liberia in the investment (FDI) Total FDI inflow Increase the issuance with focus on Economic diplomacy and Anti Foreign Affairs International and partnerships in agribusiness, TBD of touristic and agribusiness, established Corruption Context in agribusiness, tourism, and mining business visas by 30% tourism and tourism, and mining business mining sectors opportunities Strengthened Number of Enhancement Governance economic, Enhanced consular embassies, Enhance diplomatic Diplomatic and of diplomatic and Anti Foreign Affairs cultural, and services for citizens consulates, or TBD representation Consular Services representation Corruption political ties with abroad diplomatic missions abroad abroad host nations in strategic locations 10.7.2 Proportion of countries with Development and Number of visas migration policies Governance Increased tourism Develop and Diplomatic and operationalization Functional E-Visa processed and issued that facilitate and Anti Foreign Affairs and business 0 operationalize E-Visa Consular Services of E-Visa system system through the E-visa orderly, safe, regular Corruption travels system and services and services system and responsible migration and mobility of people Technical and Improved managerial operational Number of Improvement capacity building of Governance effectiveness personnel trained Decrease the time Diplomatic and of the Sector’s government officials and Anti Foreign Affairs and efficiency (disaggregated by TBD for consular services Consular Services Institutional and employees Corruption of passport sex, age and type of by 50% Capacity in passport processing training) and identity services management National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 247 248 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced security in passport issuance and Integration of Support the verification passport application Percentage Governance implementation processes, and issuance Implement a unified Diplomatic and reduction in identity- and Anti Foreign Affairs of a unified legal reducing identity systems with the NIR 0 legal identity system Consular Services related fraud in Corruption identity system for fraud and database to enable for passport issues passport applications passport purposes ensuring that only seamless verification legitimate citizens of identities ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID are granted National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 passports Increased Liberians abroad Digital or physical Amount of contribution Strengthening platform for money invested 17.3.2 Volume to economic the engagement connecting by the Diaspora of remittances Governance development Increase investment Diplomatic and with the Liberian Liberians abroad in Liberia (e.g., (in United States and Anti Foreign Affairs through 0 engagements with Consular Services Diaspora and with opportunities direct investments, dollars) as a Corruption investments the Liberian diaspora explore their in Liberia (business, remittancesused proportion of total (in business, potential investment, etc.) for development GDP real estate, or established projects) infrastructure, etc.) 13.a.1 Amounts provided and mobilized in United Increase Resource Increased States dollars per Mobilization for availability of Climate finance Total amount of Support with year in relation Climate Change Environmental Environmental funding for strategies or climate finance Climate Change climate resource to the continued TBD Increase DRM by at Sustainability Governance climate mitigation frameworks mobilized (e.g., in mobilization existing collective least US$ 500,000 by and adaptation developed USD) mobilization goal monetizing climate projects of the $100 billion assets commitment through to 2025 Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 13.2.1 Number of countries with nationally determined contributions, Proportion of sectors long-term Increased public Climate adaptation Promotion of (e.g., agriculture, strategies, national and institutional policies, strategies, Increase climate Environmental Environmental climate change water, health) with adaptation plans Climate Change capacity to or plans developed TBD change adaptation Sustainability Governance adaptation climate adaptation and adaptation address climate and formally measures measures integrated into their communications, change effectively. adopted strategies as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Environmental Number of county- Expansion, Improved access service centers based environmental Decentralize the decentralization to environmental Environmental Environmental established for management Environment Climate Change and modernization services for rural 1 Sustainability Governance regualtion of committees Protection Agency of environmental or underserved permits, compliance established and Services services communities and monitoring functional 13.1.2 Number of Enhanced countries that adopt Construction effective and implement and equipping institution Number of CCERC Construct and Equip Climate Change national disaster risk of institutional capacity to with a capacity institutional facilities Environmental Environmental Early Response reduction strategies Climate Change facilities and monitor, assess, to monitor and 0 and Climate Change Sustainability Governance Center (CCERC) in line with the Climate Change and respond to coordinate responses Early Response constructed Sendai Framework Early Response climate risks (e.g., for up to 5 regions Center for Disaster Risk Center floods, droughts, Reduction 2015– storms) National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 2030 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 249 Targets 250 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 15.9.1 (a) Number of countries that have established national targets in accordance with or similar to Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity New or revised 2011–2020 in Enact or update ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Enhanced environmental Number of Strengthening their national at least 5 new institutional and regulations, environmental National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 of institutional biodiversity strategy environmental legal capacities policies, and laws, policies, Environmental Environmental capacity on and action plans laws (or regulations) Climate Change to address legal frameworks and regulations TBD Sustainability Governance environmental and the progress environmental that improve that have been matters, including reported towards Increase NDC targets governance and environmental enacted, revised, or courts these targets; and implementation enforcement protection and strengthened (b) integration of coverage to enforcement biodiversity into national accounting and reporting systems, defined as implementation of the System of Environmental- Economic Accounting Number of carbon Strengthened stock categories capacity for Development of Inventory of carbon (e.g., above-ground compliance with 15.3.1 Proportion the inventory of stocks for forests, biomass, below- Environmental Environmental international of land that is Conduct an inventory Climate Change carbon stocks in soils, wetlands, and ground biomass, 0 Sustainability Governance climate degraded over total of carbon stocks compliance with other ecosystems soil organic carbon) agreements (e.g., land area UNFCCC completed inventoried in UNFCCC and Paris compliance with Agreement) UNFCCC standards. Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Promote Circular 12.5.1 National Economy Environmental Environmental Promotion of the Circular economy Circular economy Coverage of circular Climate Change recycling rate, tons TBD Increase NDC targets Sustainability Governance circular economy strengthened promoted economy of material recycled implementation coverage to Strengthening environmental legal and regulatory Enhanced framework to Training programs Percentage of capacity for Strengthen of address, inter for legal, regulatory, regulatory staff Environmental Environmental monitoring and environmental legal Climate Change alia, management and enforcement trained in legal TBD Sustainability Governance enforcement of and regulatory of chemicals, personnel and enforcement environmental framework carbon footprint, established procedures. regulations biodiversity, green taxation and climate change Local platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of carbon credits and offsets, allowing Increased businesses to meet mobilization of Total tons of emission reduction private sector CO2-equivalent targets established Establishment capital through emissions reduced 13.2.2 Total Increase by 50% the Environmental Environmental and functional Climate Change of local climate carbon trading, annually through greenhouse gas 0 number of recycling Sustainability Governance A local digital or market mechanism offset programs, the implementation emissions per year business operators physical market and climate of climate market where carbon adaptation mechanisms credits, renewable projects energy certificates, and other National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 environmental assets can be bought and sold ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 251 Targets 252 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increased revenue generation from Public awareness 8.4.1 Material Percentage of Support with the green taxes used campaigns created footprint, material Environmental Environmental businesses and Operationalize Green Climate Change operationalization for environmental on the importance footprint per 0 Sustainability Governance industries covered by Tax of green tax protection and and benefits of capita, and material the green tax system sustainable green taxes footprint per GDP development 13.a.1 Amounts provided and Establishment or Increased Total amount of mobilized in United scaling of financing ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID climate finance climate finance States dollars per mechanisms, such as Strengthening the mobilization mobilized for NDC year in relation Support the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Environmental Environmental climate funds, green Climate Change implementation of to fund climate implementation to the continued TBD implementation of Sustainability Governance bonds, and private- the NDCs mitigation and (from both domestic existing collective the NDCs public partnerships adaptation and international mobilization goal to fund NDC projects sources) of the $100 billion implementation commitment through to 2025 Supporting the adoption of Improved energy cleaner cooking efficiency on Availability of 7.1.2 Proportion of Percentage of technologies, use of biomass, high-quality, population with Support more than Environmental Environmental households adopting Climate Change particularly leading to affordable improved primary reliance TBD 200,000 affordable Sustainability Governance ICS in targeted Improved reduced fuel cookstoves on local on clean fuels and ICS communities Cookstoves (ICS) to consumption and markets increased technology efficiently convert less deforestation biomass into heat Increased Construction or resilience improvement of of coastal Engage 75% of hard (e.g., seawalls, Number of coastal 14.5.1 Coverage of Sustainably ecosystems and coastal communities Environmental Environmental groins) and soft (e.g., communities with protected areas in Climate Change manage coastal communities to TBD in participatory Sustainability Governance dune restoration, enhanced protection relation to marine erosion the impacts of coastal management beach nourishment) against erosion areas coastal erosion programs coastal defense and climate systems change Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Strengthening Increased capacity Institutional and improvement of stakeholders Number of capacity- capacity-building of institutional to manage and building programs Strengthen and Environmental Forest Resource frameworks Climate Change and governance implement or workshops TBD enforce forest Sustainability Management and strategies systems and environmental conducted for regulations developed and capacities of policies and stakeholders adopted stakeholders programs Enhanced Construct at least 8 capacity of New or existing Percentage increase classrooms, 1 science Expansion and foresters to training centers in training capacity Laboratory and 6 Environmental Forest Resource modernization of manage forests Climate Change for foresters (e.g., number of 1 offices at FTI campus; Sustainability Management training facilities for sustainably and constructed and foresters trained Renovate at least 10 foresters address emerging renovated annually) ruined infrastructures environmental at FTI campus challenges Increased Number of jobs involvement of Development of or livelihood local communities local businesses, opportunities Effective in conservation such as community- Environmental Forest Resource created for local 30% reduction in Climate Change Management of efforts, with owned eco-lodges, 3 Sustainability Management communities illegal activities National Parks the creation handicraft markets, through park of sustainable cultural experiences, management and livelihood and guided tours sustainable tourism opportunities Ehanced Official legal declaration of documents and protected areas Number of local maps required for informed by jobs or economic the gazettement Gazette the proposed Gazettement of biodiversity opportunities process, including protected area within Environmental Forest Resource proposed protected inventory created through the Climate Change the designation 24 months, securing Sustainability Management areas (feasibility covering establishment of the of boundaries and legal status and studies) key species, protected area (e.g., legal protection protection National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ecosystems, and park rangers, tourism status available habitats that are guides) and protected area significant for status declared conservation ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 253 Targets 254 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced adoption of land Detailed land use use practices maps and zoning Percentage of land 15.1.2 Proportion that promote plans that define in the buffer zone of important sites Land use planning sustainable permissible and around the protected for terrestrial around Protected agriculture, restricted activities Restore at least Environmental Forest Resource area allocated and freshwater Climate Change Areas (PAs) and forestry, and around PAs and 10,000 ha of Sustainability Management for sustainable biodiversity that Proposed Protected tourism around PPAs (e.g., buffer degraded forestland land use practices are covered by Areas (PPAs) PAs while zones, conservation (e.g., agroforestry, protected areas, by minimizing corridors, sustainable grazing) ecosystem type ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID negative sustainable environmental agriculture zones) National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 impacts National policies, Increased carbon regulations, and sequestration incentives to 15.1.2 Proportion through the support carbon Percentage of of important sites expansion and sink enhancement, protected natural for terrestrial Development of protection of such as subsidies Environmental Forest Resource carbon sinks (e.g., and freshwater Climate Change the Carbon sink natural and for reforestation or Increase Forest Stock Sustainability Management forests, wetlands) biodiversity that framework artificial carbon tax incentives for within conservation are covered by sinks, leading to landowners who areas protected areas, by a net reduction adopt sustainable ecosystem type in atmospheric land practices carbon developed and implemented Enhance biodiversity by Restoration re-establishing projects, such as Restoration of habitats for reforestation, soil 15.3.1 Proportion degraded areas in endangered Hectares of Restore at least Environmental Forest Resource erosion control, of land that is Climate Change National Parks and species, degraded land 10,000 ha of Sustainability Management invasive species degraded over total Proposed Protected promoting restored degraded forestland removal, and habitat land area Areas species richness, enhancement and recovering implemented ecosystem functions Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Expansion of Increased income income-generating and job creation activities such Percentage increase Scale up livelihood from diversified Environmental Forest Resource as handicrafts, in household income Climate Change and ecotourism livelihood Sustainability Management sustainable from tourism and activities activities, agriculture, and related activities especially in rural non-timber forest areas products for tourists Improved community-led engagement Formal agreements processes in and with communities Number of benefit from and local authorities community forest Commitment of sustainable land- to ensure that management plans 15.2.1 Progress Environmental Forest Resource more Community Climate Change use and forest conservation or agreements towards sustainable Increase Forest Stock Sustainability Management Forests to management practices are formally recognized forest management conservation practices, adopted and upheld by local or national ensuring both in community- authorities conservation and managed forests livelihood needs are met Number of local Increased creation households or of sustainable businesses involved income sources Establishment or in ecotourism and for local people, upgrade of sawmills, related activities reducing poverty Increase the Development of furniture-making and reliance on sustainable Environmental Forest Resource environmentally factories, paper Percentage Climate Change environmentally production of Sustainability Management sustainable wood production units, increase in the destructive value-added wood value chain and other value- volume of value- activities like products by 20% added production added wood illegal logging, facilities products (e.g., mining or furniture, paper, unsustainable National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 plywood) produced agriculture annually ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 255 Targets 256 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Technical standards and guidelines developed for Number of Strengthen renewable energy Increased renewable Strengthen the Environmental Renewable the regulatory technologies, Climate Change renewable energy energy policies 1 regulatory framework Sustainability Energy framework for including grid capacity and regulations for renewable energy renewable energy integration, safety, strengthened quality control, and environmental impact assessments ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Infrastructure needed to distribute 7.b.1 Installed renewable energy Number of renewable energy- Increasing rural Increased energy to rural households Increase renewable Environmental Renewable renewable energy generating capacity Climate Change renewable energy access in rural and businesses, TBD energy supply by Sustainability Energy systems installed in in developing and supply areas including mini-grids 20% rural areas developed countries and local energy (in watts per capita) storage solutions established. Support at least 500 Renewable energy small and medium solutions (e.g., enterprises with Supporting Small solar panels, wind renewable energy and Medium turbines, biogas, or Number of SMEs Environmental Renewable Reduced energy solutions; Increase Climate Change Enterprises (SMEs) small-scale hydro) adopting renewable TBD Sustainability Energy costs for SMEs private sector off-grid with Renewable for SMEs installed to energy solutions and community- Energy Solutions reduce their energy based renewable costs and carbon energy solutions by footprint. 10% Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Support with renewable energy to more than Promoting private Number of off-grid 160,000 households sector Off-Grid and Increased energy Off-grid renewable renewable energy and public social Environmental Renewable Climate Change Community-Based access for off-grid energy systems systems installed TBD infrastructures; Sustainability Energy Renewable Energy communities installed Percentage increase Increase private Solutions in rural energy access sector off-grid and community-based renewable energy solutions by 10% Number of school Train 1,400 school Training sessions administrators Enhancement principals, and Educational Managerial conducted and leaders Human Capital of school administrative Education Institution Capacity in for school completing training TBD Development management staff in leadership, Management schools enhanced administrators and on management capacity management and leaders of educational accountability institutions Strengthening Increased Enhance the capacity Percentage of teachers’ capacity retention of Teachers trained of 20% of the teacher Educational teachers trained Human Capital to deliver gender females and in gender and population to deliver Education Institution in gender and TBD Development and disability students with disability responsive gender and disability Management disability responsive transformative disabilities in pedagogy transformative pedagogy education schools education Increased Recruitment and accessibility to Increase recruitment deployment of Psychosocial and Educational gender-sensitive Percentage of school of female Human Capital female psychosocial career counsellors Education Institution counseling counsellors recruited 2% psychosocial and Development and career recruited and Management services in schools and deployed by sex career counsellors at counsellors at all deployed and institutions all levels by 40% levels National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 257 Targets 258 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 4.7.1 Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and Implementation of Number of skills- Improved health Skills-based health (ii) education skill-based health based health Establish 1,707 life Educational knowledge, education clubs for sustainable Human Capital education and education clubs skills clubs in upper Education Institution attitudes, and established in upper development are TBD Development strengthening the established in upper basic and secondary Management behaviors among basic and secondary mainstreamed in (a) role of girls' and basic and secondary schools adolescents schools national education boys’ health clubs schools policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID education; and (d) National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 student assessment Increased Laboratories enrollment in and classrooms Provision of STEM-related equipped with 4.a.1 Proportion 50% of upper basic Educational relevant STEM Proportion of schools Human Capital upper basic relevant STEM of schools offering and secondary Education Institution equipment to equipped with TBD Development and secondary tools, such as basic services, by schools have relevant Management upper basic and functional STEM labs education and computers, robotics type of service STEM equipment secondary schools career paths kits, and laboratory development apparatus 30% of TVET centers Equipment of TVET 4.4.1 Proportion Percentage of TVET and HEIs have IT centers and HEIs of youth and HEIs and TVET TVET centers and centers and HEIs infrastructure and Educational with functioning adults with Human Capital students digital HEIs equipped equipped with IT high speed internet Education Institution IT infrastructure, information and 5% Development literacy skills with IT devices and devices and high- connectivity; Provide Management including internet communications enhanced internet connectivity speed internet National Trade Test connectivity and technology (ICT) connectivity certificate to 1,500 computers skills, by type of skill TVET trainers Strengthening enforcement of the code of Reduction in Incidence of SRGBV in Educational Schools with Percentage of Human Capital conduct to tackle incidence of education institutions Education Institution designated GBV reported SRGBV TBD Development school-related school-related at all levels Management focal points cases resolved GBV in education GBV eliminated institutions at all levels Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Professional Undertaking Teachers achieving Number of 4.c.1 Proportion of Provide in-service competency teachers’ certification or teachers achieving teachers with the training to 15,800 Human Capital of teachers Education Teacher Capacity continuous qualification certification or minimum required TBD teachers (continuous Development improved professional through CPD qualification through qualifications, by professional development programs CPD programs education level development –CPD) Provision of incentives to attract Number of teachers Provide incentive and support the Improved teacher Motivational in underserved areas payment to 1,400 Human Capital Education Teacher Capacity deployment of retention rates in packages for receiving financial, TBD teachers in rural Development qualified teachers underserved areas teachers rolled out housing, or other hard-to-reach and in underserved incentives hard-to-stay areas areas Number of TVET Improved instructors who have Provide National Provision of training Certification and undertaken training Education Teacher Capacity TBD Trade Test certificate for TVET instructors accreditation of , including those for to 1,500 TVET trainers TVET instructors both pre-service and in-service Provision of Improved Number of incentives to 200 underserved volunteers Volunteer-led Institutions Human Capital professional schools covered by Education Teacher Capacity participation in education initiatives benefiting from TBD Development education education volunteer the education improved volunteer-led volunteers across programs sector education initiatives the sector Center of Excellence for Education National Administration, 4.c.1 Proportion of Development procedures Professionalize 2,000 Certification Number of teachers teachers with the Human Capital and rolling out a and policy for teachers through Education Teacher Capacity (Licensing) and accredited or minimum required TBD Development system for teacher licensing and certification and Accreditation licensed by CEEACA qualifications, by licensing accreditation licensing (CEEACA) education level developed established and functional National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 259 Targets 260 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Number of child- Building, friendly, inclusive, renovating or Improve 2,134 Learning School infrastructure gender-sensitive Human Capital expanding inclusive educational Education School Facilities environment constructed and public school 18 Development and climate- infrastructure at all improved renovated infrastructure resilient school levels constructed and infrastructure renovated Supporting ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID WASH and Health and wel- Lower incidence Number of schools Support WASH Human Capital National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Education School Facilities menstrual hygiene being in schools of sanitary-related with improved WASH TBD interventions in 3,542 Development interventions in improved illnesses in schools services schools Schools 4.5.1 Parity indices (female/male, rural/ urban, bottom/ top wealth quintile and others such as Expansion and Increased access School resource Percentage of disability status, Equip 10% of Human Capital acquisition of and participation centers provided Schools Equipped indigenous peoples schools with Education School Facilities TBD Development instructional of PWDs in with PWDs learning with instructional and conflict- PWD-instructional materials for PWDs education materials materials for PWDs affected, as data Materials become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated Reduction in Exempt 1,000 PWD Number of PWD Supporting the dropout rate PWD Learners learners from school Human Capital Learners benefiting Education School Facilities children with among children supported in TBD fees and provide Development from school fees learning disabilities with learning schools school uniforms and exemptions disability bags Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 4.3.1 Participation Improved rate of youth and Capacitate 18 TVET TVET centers Number of accessibility to a adults in formal centers to offer level Expansion and equipped with students enrolled Human Capital comprehensive and non-formal (1-7) programs ; 100 Education School Facilities modernization of modern tools in TVET programs TBD Development TVET pathway education and senior secondary TVET facilities and resources for disaggregated by that spans all training in the schools offer TVET practical training (gender & type) qualification levels previous 12 months, streams by sex Increased Laboratories enrollment in and classrooms Equipment of STEM-related equipped with Proportion of 30% secondary Human Capital school facilities upper basic relevant STEM secondary schools Education School Facilities TBD schools equipped Development with STEM and secondary tools, such as equipped with with STEM facilities equipment education and computers, robotics functional STEM labs career paths kits, and laboratory development apparatus Percentage of Provision of cash Grants spent on Reduced out-of- students from the Increase the rate of grants to the poorest students Human Capital school rate among poorest households enrolment of children Education School Facilities poorest students and students TBD Development the disabled and and students with with disabilities by and students with with disabilities disadvantaged disabilities enrolled 10% disabilities educational needs in school Percentage of Subsidization of Eliminate tuition fees Improved Private schools learners from private schools in for at least 15% of Human Capital enrollment in subsidized to poor backgrounds Education School Facilities underserved areas TBD students from the Development private schools in expand access in exempted from unreached by poorest households underserved areas underserved areas tuition payment in public schools. in subsidized schools private schools Improved Provision of student learning Availability of open-access, Human Capital Student Learning outcomes quality textbooks Student-to-textbook Achieve student to Education non-copyright TBD Development Capacity and academic aligned with the ratio textbook ratio of 1:1 textbooks for every performance national curriculum child National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 261 Targets 262 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 4.1.1 Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades Development of a Percentage of Improved literacy 2/3; (b) at the end All ECE schools national learning students at Grades and numeracy Annual National of primary; and (c) receiving the Human Capital Student Learning assessment system 3 and 6 achieving Education proficiency levels learning assessment at the end of lower 0 validated age- Development Capacity for tracking early minimum proficiency at Grades 3 and conducted secondary achieving appropriate/play- learning outcomes levels in literacy and 6 over at least a minimum based ECE curriculum at Grades 3 and 6 numeracy. proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Expansion of the National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Nutritious meals 382 schools benefit school feeding Increased Number of schools Human Capital Student Learning or snacks served from home grown Education & school health enrollment and implementing TBD Development Capacity daily to students at school feeding initiatives at retention rates feeding programs foundational levels program foundational levels Expansion of Increased sex Provide more than training of education and Number of female 300,000 female CSE and menstrual Human Capital Student Learning comprehensive menstrual hygiene learners receiving students with Education hygiene education TBD Development Capacity sexual (CSE) orientation CSE and menstrual inclusive hygiene in schools delivered education and in schools hygiene products education and menstrual hygiene products Digital infrastructure Provide 30% of Percentage in schools students in Junior of students in Development of (installation of and Senior Secondary Human Capital Student Learning Enhanced digital Junior and Senior Education Students' Digital computer labs, TBD education with Development Capacity literacy in schools Secondary education Skills internet access, and digital skills and with digital skills provision of digital STEM education devices) established examination 4.3.1 Participation Increased rate of youth and Expansion and Number of high alternative School dropouts adults in formal Enroll 5000 high strengthening school dropouts Human Capital Student Learning pathways enrolled in and non-formal school dropout into Education of accelerated enrolled in TBD Development Capacity for dropouts accelerated learning education and accelerated learning learning for high accelerated learning completing high programs training in the programs school dropouts programs school education previous 12 months, by sex Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increased access to quality Special Needs Development of education for Development Human Capital Student Learning education policy Education Special Needs learners with Special Needs Policy TBD of special needs Development Capacity developed and education policy special needs education policy rolledout across all education levels Enhancement 4.1.2 Completion Enrollment and of free and Gross enrollment at rate (primary attendance rates Gross enrollment Governance of compulsory early, primary, and education, Increase gross Human Capital in early, primary, rates at early, Education the Educational education in secondary levels lower secondary TBD enrollment to 1.7 Development and secondary primary, and System early, primary disaggregated by education, million education secondary levels and secondary gender upper secondary improved education education) Revision of Graduates Updated curricula Number of new academic employed in with integrated courses or modules Revise the National Governance of curriculum to fit agribusiness or Human Capital modules on developed Education Curriculum Education the Educational agribusiness and HORECA sectors 1 Development agribusiness and specifically for to meet the System Hotels, Restaurants, within one year HORECA-related agribusiness and contemporary needs and Cafes/Catering of graduation topics HORECA (HORECA) content increased Establishment Establish and of the Liberia Improved national Number of TVET operationalize Governance of technical and Human Capital TVET standards, TVET institutions institutions Liberia technical and Education the Educational vocational 0 Development policies, and accredited/assessed accredited under vocational education System education training guidelines national standards training commission commission (LITCOM) (LITCOM) Volunteers recruited Enhanced to support schools Governance of Strengthening educational Number of Human Capital and educational Recruit 600 Education the Educational of the education support services volunteers recruited TBD Development activities education volunteers System system volunteers to reduce teacher and deployed workload National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 263 Targets 264 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increasing the Women appointed Percentage of female Increased number of women or promoted to in school leadership 5.5.2 Proportion Governance of representation Increase number of Human Capital in leadership leadership positions positions (CEOs, of women in Education the Educational of women in TBD women in leadership Development positions at school, at schools, districts, DEOS, principals and managerial System school leadership positions by 30% district, county, and counties, or national teachers) per county positions positions national levels education bodies 4.7.1 Extent to which (i) global citizenship Enhanced education and knowledge and ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID (ii) education skills in science, Schools adopting Percentage of Governance of Mainstreaming of for sustainable Mainstream STEM National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Human Capital technology, or updating STEM schools with STEM Education the Educational STEM projects at all development are 0 projects at all Development engineering and projects at different integrated into their System appropriate levels mainstreamed in (a) appropriate levels. mathematics educational levels curricula national education across all policies; (b) educational levels curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment Increased capacity Implementation and standardized of the National Disseminate systems of TVET Percentage of Standards and TVET institution National Standards Governance of institutions to credited institutions Human Capital Guidelines for in full compliance and Guidelines Education the Educational provide high- complying with the TBD Development Technical and with standards and for Technical and System quality TVET national standards Vocational guidelines Vocational Education education and guidelines Education Training Training in Liberia and training in Liberia Enhanced Development and Improvement of transparent implementation management, allocation and Number of functional Governance of of policies that Increase gross Human Capital governance and utilization of school management Education the Educational enhance regular 1400396 enrollment to 1.7 Development accountability financial, human, committees (SMCs) System data collection, million of the education and physical report findings reporting, and system resources decision-making Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improved Instituting School principals, professional Number of school continuous and other Train at least 1,400 competency of principals, and professional administrative school principals, Governance of school principals, other administrative Human Capital development for staff achieving and administrative Education the Educational and other staff achieving TBD Development leaders, including certification or staff in leadership, System administrative certification or school principals, qualification management and staff qualification through and administrative through CPD accountability CPD programs staff programs Improved Number of new educational educational Strengthening PPP regulatory initiatives introduced the regulatory framework Increased private Develop one (1) via PPPs, such as Governance of and operating delivering sector investment in regulatory framework Human Capital digital learning Education the Educational framework for innovative, education projects 1 for public-private Development platforms, System public–private efficient, and through PPP partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure partnerships in high-quality education improvements, or education education teacher training solutions programs Percentage of Improved students opting secondary Achieve at least 25% Establishment of for TVET streams in Governance of Integration of education by enrollment rate in Human Capital workshops, labs, and secondary schools Education the Educational TVET streams in offering diverse 0 TVET streams among Development vocational facilities Retention of System secondary schools pathways secondary school in secondary schools students in schools for student students with integrated TVET employability programs 4.4.1 Proportion Integration of Improved student Usage of digital Percentage of of youth and Develop and deploy digital technology and teachers Governance of technology secondary school adults with a digital content Human Capital (tablets) with engagement and Education the Educational (tablets) to students students and information and 0 library with resources Development teaching materials understanding System and teachers in teachers using communications covering 80% of the in secondary on use of digital secondary schools tablets technology (ICT) curriculum schools technology National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 skills, by type of skill ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 265 Targets 266 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Percentage of educational Updated programs Rationalization Improved national institutions emphasizing of academic education adopting programs integrated modules Develop agri- Human Capital courses to include curricula with emphasizing Education Higher Education on agribusiness TBD business and Development Agribusiness and incorporated integrated modules and HORECA- HORECA curriculum HORECA courses agribusiness and on agribusiness related topics and training HORECA contents and HORECA- related topics ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Improvement of the Higher education Establishment quality of higher National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 institutions (HEIs) of advanced Number of 9.5.2 Researchers (in Increase scientific education and Human Capital meet global laboratories, peer-reviewed full-time equivalent) and technological Education Higher Education the development TBD Development standards in research centers, publications per million research publications of scientific and teaching and and funding produced inhabitants by 15% technological research mechanisms research Provision of free Increased Students enrolled Percentage of Exempt all students Human Capital tuition for all enrollment in in teacher training students enrolled in pursuing teaching Education Higher Education TBD Development teachers in Training teacher education program at public teacher education profession at public Public Universities programs universities programs universities Creation of an enabling HEIs are equipped environment Number of campuses with ramps, Construct at least for healthy, with accessible Human Capital Improved learning elevators, accessible 27 additional public Education Higher Education safe, protective, infrastructure, such 18 Development enviroment toilets, and HEIs with disability- and disability- as ramps, elevators, other physical inclusive access inclusive access to and tactile pathways accommodations higher education institutions Number of HEIs Increase HEIs offering equipped with Integration of HEIs equipped with digital education to Human Capital Increased digital digital teaching tools Education Higher Education digital technology digital teaching TBD 70% of HEIs to offer Development literacy such as projectors, in all HEI programs tools digital technology smartboards, and programs internet access. Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Establishment of collaboration Increase in private Number of private Develop 1 Regulatory PPP policy Human Capital with the private sector partners sector partners framework for public- Education Higher Education frameworks TBD Development sector through collaborating with collaborating with private partnerships developed public–private HEIs HEIs (PPP) in education partnerships Develop and Increased 3.b.3 Proportion of Established Percentage implement availability and health facilities that Increase the coverage community-based of essential community affordability have a core set of of community Human Capital Health sector drug stores to medications in stock Health pharmacy and cost- of essential relevant essential 20% pharmacy to 85 % Development reform distribute essential at community drug sharing schemes medicines for medicines available in all public health medications stores and public in public health underserved and affordable on a facilities health facilities facilities communities sustainable basis 3.8.2 Proportion of Reduced out-of- Centralized, population with pocket expenses Percentage of Establish the Health government- large household for healthcare, population accessing Provide health Human Capital Health sector Equity Fund for managed fund to expenditures on Health especially for subsidized health TBD insurance coverage Development reform Universal Health subsidize healthcare health as a share vulnerable and services funded by for all citizens Coverage Bill for disadvantaged of total household low-income the HEF group expenditure or populations income Reduced risks associated with Percentage of health Enhance health Tested health Increase health Human Capital Health sector counterfeit, commodities on the Health products regulatory commodities on the 40% products testing to Development reform substandard, or market tested by LM environment market 95 % unsafe health HRA products National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 267 Targets 268 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Percentage of health facilities meeting regulatory standards and professionals with valid licenses and certifications disaggregated by Enhance the Healthare facilities Enhanced ethical type (public and regulatory accredited and All health facility and professional private, Clinics, Human Capital Health sector environment for professionals operating in Liberia ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Health standards among Health Center TBD Development reform health services, licensed for score a minimum healthcare and Hospital) National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 facilities and quality standards quality score of 50% workers Percentage of health professionals facilities meeting regulatory standards. Percentage of healthcare professionals with valid licenses and certifications Delivery of integrated services, including maternal Enhanced Strengthen Primary and child health, Proportion of PHC accessibility 3.8.1 Coverage of Increase coverage of Human Capital Health Care immunization, facilities offering Health Health services and quality of essential health 0.73 primary health care Development (PHC) including family planning, comprehensive PHC services at services by 40 % community health nutrition, and service packages community levels management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increased availability Deliver quality and of RMNCAH+N 3.7.1 Proportion Increase age Age Appropriate services, including of women of appropriate Reproductive, Reduction Percentage of antenatal care reproductive age Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, in maternal, health facilities Human Capital (ANC), skilled (aged 15–49 years) Maternal Newborn, Health Health services Child and newborn, and upgraded to provide TBD Development birth attendance, who have their need Child and Adolescent Adolescent Health child mortality comprehensive immunization, for family planning and Nutrition plus Nutrition rates RMNCAH+N services. family planning, satisfied with (RMNCAH+N) health (RMNCAH+N) care and nutrition modern methods care services by 40% services interventions Reduced Expanded and Percentage morbidity equipped facilities of individuals 3.4.1 Mortality Prevention and mortality Decrease the for diagnosis, receiving preventive rate attributed and control of rates from incidence of Human Capital treatment, and interventions for to cardiovascular Health Health services communicable and communicable 10% communicable and Development management of communicable disease, cancer, non-communicable and non- non-communicable communicable diseases (e.g diabetes or chronic diseases communicable diseases by 20% diseases (CDs) and insecticide-treated respiratory disease diseases NCDs nets) Number of Strengthening individuals 3.5.1 Coverage and scaling up Reduction in receving timely and of treatment the control and the prevalence appropriate mental, interventions Health care facilities 14 counties to receive management of untreated neurological and (pharmacological, Human Capital providing MNS mental, neurological Health Health services of mental, mental health substance use (MNS) psychosocial and 1 Development disorder care and substance use neurological and and substance disorder care services rehabilitation and services expanded disorder care services substance use abuse disorder Proportion of the aftercare services) disorders care population accessing for substance use services MNS services disorders annually Number of health 10 primary health Expansion and Increased number Improved access care facilities 3.8.1 Coverage of care facilities Human Capital modernization of outpatient and Health Health services to quality health upgraded to provide essential health TBD upgraded to Development of public health inpatient care care services essential health services comprehensive facilities services National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 services health centers ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 269 Targets 270 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Expanding and Number of county Upgrade and upgrading five Enhanced referral hospitals upgraded Human Capital Regional hospital designate 5 county Health Health services County Hospitals heath care and designated as 1 Development upgraded hospitals as regional designated as services regional referral hospitals regional hospitals hospitals Enhanced ability to detect and diagnose 3.b.3 Proportion of communicable Proportion of public health facilities that Strengthening and non- Public health care health care facilities Increase diagnostic have a core set of ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Human Capital diagnostic communicable facilities eqiupped eqiupped with centers at health Health Health services relevant essential TBD Development capacities at all diseases (NCDs) with modern modern diagnostic care facilities by 40 % National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 medicines available levels at early stages; diagnostic tools tools (e.g CT and affordable on a scanners, x-rays ) sustainable basis Increased in diagnostic service coverage 3.9.2 Mortality rate attributed Provision of Health care facilities to unsafe water, Reduced Percentage of health sustainable with upgraded unsafe sanitation Increase WASH Human Capital healthcare- care facilities with Health Health services climate-resilient WASH infrastructure and lack of hygiene TBD services at health Development associated upgraded WASH WASH services in (e.g. eco-friendly (exposure to unsafe facilities by 20% infections (HAIs) infrastructure healthcare facilities toilets) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All (WASH) services) Improved quality Additional wards, Percentage increase Strengthening and and accessibility operating theaters, Improve national Human Capital in outpatient and Health Health services expanding JFK of healthcare ICU beds, and 494 referral capacity of Development inpatient cases hospital's capacities services across all outpatient facilities J.F.K 100 percent handled specialties provided Improved access Upgrading Jackson to advanced Establish JFD Percentage increase Improve national Human Capital F. Doe Hospital to tertiary-level care, Hospital as a referral in outpatient and Health Health services TBD referral capacity of Development the second national reducing the hub for surrounding inpatient cases J.F.D 100 % tertiary hospital need for overseas regions handled annually referrals Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Strengthening oversight and Development and regulatory Increased enforcement of Percentage of health Achieve 95% compliance of adherence to updated policies, facilities having testing coverage Human Capital health facilities national health guidelines, and medicines, health Health Health services 40 of professionals, Development standard, standards by regulations for products, and medicines and health medicines, health facilities and health facilities, professional practice products products, and practitioners products, and in compliance professional professionals practice Integrated sex- and Percentage of health Enhancement Achieve 100% Improved age-disaggregated facilities utilizing of sex, age and integration of Human Capital healthcare data into national standardized data Health Health services disaggregated TBD sex- and age- Development policies and and sub-national tools with sex- and data for health care disaggregated data in strategies health information age-disaggregated policy analysis national HIS systems data 3.3.1 Number Decreased Percentage of new HIV incidence and Health facilities of diagnosed infections per Achieve a 60% Human Capital Reduction in HIV/ Health Health services prevalence of HIV, conducting HIV/ individuals receiving 1,000 uninfected TBD increase in HIV and Development STDs and STIs STDs, and STIs in STDs and STI testing appropriate population, by STI testing rates the population treatment sex, age and key populations Increased access Proportion of SGBV survivors Decentralization of Healthcare facilities Human Capital to quality health healthcare facilities Treatment Center Health Health services healthcare Services offering SGBV- TBD Development care services for offering SGBV- Available in the 15 for SGBV survivors specific services SGBV survivors specific services counties Reduction in Proportion of Strengthening malnutrition, adolescents 3.7.2 Adolescent and scaling up of Schools, including accessing birth rate (aged Implement school- nutrition initiatives communities, and Human Capital undernutrition, nutrition services 10–14 years; aged community-health Health Health services among adolescents health facilities TBD Development micronutrient disaggregated by 15–19 years) per facility-based in schools, offering nutritional deficiencies, and type of institution 1,000 women in that nutritional programs communities, and services obesity among (school, community, age group National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 health facilities adolescents and health facility) ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 271 Targets 272 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Reliable, timely, and accurate Upgrade 50% Modernized public diagnostic Percentage of of public health Strengthening health facilities with Human Capital services for laboratories laboratories with Health Health services public health advanced diagnostic TBD Development infectious conducting priority basic diagnostic laboratory systems equipment and and non- disease testing equipment and technology communicable training diseases Increased stronger partnerships Number of ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID among Health sector functioning Hold 20 coordination Improvement of Human Capital government coordination coordination and governance National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Health Health services coordination and TBD Development entities, private committees committees at meetig among health governance sector, civil established national, regional, actors society, and and local levels partners Revision and 3.d.1 International Revised and Review and revise reinforcement of Strengthened Number of health Health Regulations Human Capital reinforced health existing health laws Health Health services the health legal legal protection of laws and regulations (IHR) capacity and TBD Development legal framework and to address current framework and public health enforced health emergency policy health challenges policy preparedness Increased number of Increased healthcare workers Improvement of availability Percentage of Improve staffing deployed in various 3.c.1 Health worker Human Capital staffing levels of of healthcare Staffing capacity for capacity for human Health Health services cadres (e.g., doctors, density and TBD Development human resources services, human resources for resources for health nurses, midwives, distribution for health (HRH) especially in rural health by 10% and community areas health workers) Specialized rapid Improving response teams and healthcare Improved capacity Percentage of Increase epidemic/ facilities dedicated Human Capital infrastructure and for emergency healthcare facilities pandemic Health Health Security to epidemic 44% Development financial resources preparedness and connected to preparedness from 44 and pandemic for epidemics/ response surveillance systems % to 70 %. management pandemics established Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced Creation of Number of public Enhancing public healthcare specialized in- health workers health workforce delivery leading service training participating Provide specialized Human Capital capacity through to better health programs for Health Health Security in continuous TBD training for 500 for Development training and health outcomes, healthcare workers professional health professionals training institutions efficient disease to continuously development development prevention, and upgrade their skills programs management and knowledge Increased access Ensuring robust to adequate Effective supply Percentage of supply chains for stocks of essential chain system in healthcare facilities essential medicines, Eliminate drug Human Capital medicines, place resopnding with uninterrupted Health Health Security equipment and 60% stockouts in all health Development equipment, and to the demand supply of essential other supplies facilities supplies during of Public health medicines and for epidemics/ epidemics and facilities nationwide equipment pandemics pandemics Implementing a functional multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary Percentage of mechanisms, Zoonotic disease Reduced zoonotic diseases Human Capital policies, systems prevention, control, Increase detection Health Health Security incidence of covered under 44% Development and practices and response capacity to 70 % zoonotic diseases integrated to minimize the system in place surveillance systems transmission of zoonotic diseases from animals to National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 human populations ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 273 Targets 274 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Implementing environmental health programs; Developed and Increase by 50% including Enhanced operationalized Percentage of Healthcare facilities healthcare wastes environmental systems for the healthcare facilities Human Capital practicing proper Health Health Security management, and public segregation, practicing proper TBD Development waste segregation drinking water healthcare treatment, and waste segregation and disposal of quality and safety, services disposal of and disposal medical waste chemical and healthcare waste vector control, and radiation safety ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Improved Number of functional 15 functional Health National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Establishing health sector Health Coordination Coordination a functional Health sector Human Capital coordination and Platform Platform, Health Health Security One Health coordination TBD Development collaboration (disaggregated by disaggregated by Coordination platform established among national and county central and county Platform at all levels stakeholders levels) levels sessions Strengthening Number of CHVs Improved access Recruitment and Human Capital the network of recruited and Recruit and deploy Health Health Security to primary health deployment of TBD Development community health deployed in target 10,000 CHVs services additional CHVs volunteers areas. Integration of 3.d.1 International Strengthening Improved disease surveillance systems Number of functional Health Regulations Human Capital Public health prevention, across health sectors surveillance systems Increase detection Health Health Security (IHR) capacity and 44% Development Surveillance and control, and (e.g., human, animal, covering key public capacity to 70 % health emergency Monitoring health outcomes and environmental health threats preparedness health) Enhanced capacity Comprehensive, Strengthening for timely, multi-hazard Number of updated Increase epidemic/ Human Capital Emergency coordinated, emergency and operational pandemic Health Health Security 44% Development Preparedness and and effective preparedness and multi-hazard preparedness to Response emergency response plans emergency plans. 70 %. preparedness and implemented response Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increase the Increased proportion of efficiency in Upgraded public detection and Strengthening healthcare Percentage of health laboratories response to Human Capital public health delivery through health laboratories Health Health Security with modern 60% outbreaks or public Development laboratories and accurate compliant to WHO equipment and health issues and systems diagnostics and standards facilities events as per WHO better-informed standard from 60 to decisions 90 percent Enhanced Strengthening Increased Reach 90% of engagement of local Proportion of public health risk community the population Human Capital leaders, influencers, the population Health Health Security communication capacity to TBD with health risk Development and organizations participating in RCCE and community respond to health communication in health education initiatives engagement (RCCE) emergencies during emergencies efforts Enhanced Web-based and Establishment of evidence-based mobile-compatible Establish an Water, Integrated WASH Percentage of WASH Human Capital Sanitation and planning and platform for integrated WASH Sanitation and Management service providers TBD Development Hygiene allocation of collecting, Management Hygiene Information System utilizing the IMIS resources for managing, and Information System (IMIS) WASH services sharing WASH data 6.2.1 Proportion of Reduced Availability of Proportion of the population using prevalence of affordable and population with Water, Eradication of (a) safely managed Human Capital Sanitation and waterborne accessible latrines access to improved End open defecation Sanitation and open defecation sanitation services TBD Development Hygiene diseases and and toilets in sanitation services practices Hygiene practices and (b) a hand- improved hygiene households and (flush toilets, VIP washing facility with standards public spaces latrines, etc) soap and water Improved Total number of coverage of water and sanitation Water, Conduction of rural and urban points (like wells, Realize nationwide Human Capital Sanitation and Water borne disease Sanitation and nationwide water & communities boreholes, taps, TBD sanitation and water Development Hygiene incidences reduced Hygiene sanitation mapping with water and toilets) identified point mapping National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 sanitation facilities and mapped across mapped Liberia. ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 275 Targets 276 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improved Total number of coverage of water and sanitation Increase safely Water, Conduction of rural and urban points (like wells, Human Capital Sanitation and Water borne disease managed water Sanitation and nationwide water & communities boreholes, taps, TBD Development Hygiene incidences reduced access to 65% and Hygiene sanitation mapping with water and toilets) identified basic access to 90% sanitation facilities and mapped across mapped Liberia. Improved coverage of Increase safely Number of new Water, Conduction of rural and urban managed access to Human Capital Sanitation and Water borne disease household and ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Sanitation and nationwide water & communities TBD sanitation to 50% Development Hygiene incidences reduced community latrines Hygiene sanitation mapping with water and and basic access to National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 constructed sanitation facilities sanitation to 85% mapped 6.2.1 Proportion of Percentage of health Implementation of Improved hygiene Sanitation and population using care facilities with Ensure 90% of health Water, the national WASH practices among waste management (a) safely managed Human Capital Sanitation and functional water and care facilities have Sanitation and in health care health care facilities constructed sanitation services TBD Development Hygiene sanitation and solid adequate sanitation Hygiene facilities roadmap workers and and maintained in and (b) a hand- waste management facilities 2024 to 2029 patients health care facilities washing facility with facilities soap and water Strengthening private sector Increased private Private investment Percentage of private Water, participation in Increase private Human Capital Sanitation and sector investment in WASH investment in WASH Sanitation and all aspects of the TBD sector investment in Development Hygiene in WASH service infrastructure and infrastructure and Hygiene water, sanitation WASH sector by 20% delivery services services and hygiene delivery cycle 5.1.1 Whether or not Conduct a Supporting legal frameworks Amendments, comprehensive Systematic legal are in place to Inclusive Social Inclusive policy repeals, or new laws Percentage of review of 50% Human Capital and policy review Enhanced legal promote, enforce Development and system to address identified discriminatory laws 0 of national Development and reform equality and monitor Services reforms discriminatory repealed/amended laws to identify with focus on equality and provisions. discriminatory discriminatory laws nondiscrimination provisions on the basis of sex Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Enhanced Policies and Strengthening institutional guidelines updated Proportion of Inclusive Social Inclusive policy institutional capability to include provisions PWDS and other Secure 5% of new Human Capital Development and system capacity for to enforce for equitable marginalized 0 public sector jobs for Development Services reforms inclusive policy equitable and enforcement and successfully recruited PWDs enforcement inclusive policies the inclusion of in public sector marginalized groups Enhanced Establishment or Percentage increase Enhancement of 5.5.1 Proportion presence of enforcement of in the number of Increase women women political of seats held Inclusive Social Inclusive policy women in political gender quotas in women elected representation Human Capital participation by women in Development and system and leadership political parties, or appointed to 11% in Government Development and undertaking (a) national Services reforms roles at local, parliaments, and political offices at leadership positions inclusive parliaments and (b) national, and other governance local, regional, and to 30%; governance reforms local governments institutional levels structures. national levels 8.8.2 Level of national compliance Enhanced with labour opportunities for rights (freedom diverse groups, Number and Legal provisions to of association Development of including women, diversity of Develop at least Inclusive Social Inclusive policy regulate, support, and collective Human Capital inclusive policy and youth, persons individuals Two (2) Policy and Development and system and safeguard bargaining) based 0 Development legal framework on with disabilities, participating in Legal framework on Services reforms voluntarism on International voluntarism and marginalized formal voluntarism Voluntarism activities Labour Organization communities, programs (ILO) textual sources to engage in and national voluntarism legislation, by sex and migrant status National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 277 Targets 278 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 1.3.1 Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing Reduction in cases Proportion of Reduce percentage children, Strengthening and of child abuse, reported child of children aged Inclusive Social Inclusive policy Child protection unemployed Human Capital enforcement of exploitation, and protection cases 5-17 engaged in Development and system and related law persons, older 1 Development child protection neglect through resolved through child labor from 28% Services reforms operational persons, persons laws effective law legal or support to 10%; End child with disabilities, enforcement. interventions marriages pregnant women, ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID newborns, work- National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable Strengthening Increased Development Achieve a 20% community participation of of policies Number of inclusion- Inclusive Social Inclusive policy reduction in Human Capital engagements to marginalized and programs focused policies Development and system TBD community-reported Development promote positive groups in social, supporting inclusion enacted and Services reforms discrimination cases discrimination economic, and and positive implemented by 2029 towards inclusion political spheres discrimination Increased Support with compliance Development of Number of Secure benefit for at enforcement Inclusive Social Inclusive policy with corporate binding agreements inspections least 5,000 individuals Human Capital of corporate Development and system responsibility on corporate conducted annually from corporate Development responsibility Services reforms commitments responsibility in FDI to assess FDI social responsibility commitments in among FDI contracts compliance commitments every FDI entities Creation and Development publication of Increased access Percentage of new Provide 10% of Inclusive Social Inclusive policy and enforcement national accessibility Human Capital to public spaces buildings that inclusive social Development and system of national guidelines for public Development for people with meet accessibility housing units for Services reforms accessibility buildings, websites, disabilities standards vulnerable groups standards or transportation systems Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 5.2.2 Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and Number of Reduction in older subjected to A centralized GBV Inclusive Social Sexual and Improvement of Establishment of agencies adopting Human Capital incomplete data sexual violence by data repository Development Gender- Based data quality and centralized GBV data standardized GBV 0 Development in GBV case persons other than established and Services Violence (SGBV systems on GBV repository data collection and reports an intimate partner operational reporting protocols in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence Strengthening 5.3.2 Proportion of and enforcement Decreased in girls and women of SGBV legal Reduced Inclusive Social Sexual and reported cases of Percentage aged 15–49 Human Capital frameworks, prevalence of Reduce the incidence Development Gender- Based SGBV, FGM, and reduction of FGM years who have TBD Development including SGBV and FGM of SGBV by 50% Services Violence (SGBV other harmful and SGBV prevalence undergone female eradication of FGM practices genital mutilation, and other harmful by age traditional practices 5.2.2 Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and Strengthening Establish at least 10 Increased Community Total number of older subjected to Inclusive Social Sexual and community community-based Human Capital community engagement SGBV community sexual violence by Development Gender- Based engagement and TBD platforms on SGBV Development awareness on platforms on GBV forums/meetings on persons other than Services Violence (SGBV social behavior prevention per SGBV prevention established conducted an intimate partner change county in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence Increased SGBV Number of Establishment of Expansion of SGBV survivors access survivors accessing Inclusive Social Sexual and survivor service Human Capital prevention and to immediate comprehensive care Increase access to National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Development Gender- Based centers and support TBD Development survivor support medical, legal, services (medical, SGBV services by 30% Services Violence (SGBV networks across services and psychosocial legal, psychosocial communities support and safehousing) ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 279 Targets 280 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improved efficiency in Improvement the delivery of Establishment or of inter-agency Number of inter- services for GBV strengthening coordination agency coordination Enhance coordination Inclusive Social Sexual and survivors, with of cross-sectoral Human Capital mechanism and meetings, joint mechanism to Development Gender- Based streamlined committees or TBD Development implement of the workshops, and improve GBV Services Violence (SGBV processes for working groups GBV accountability collaborative response services reporting, for GBV response framework projects investigating, and coordination nationwide responding to cases ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 5.2.1 Proportion National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 of ever-partnered Decreased in Development and Percentage of women and girls the incidence of implementation of women, men, and aged 15 years and gender-based new policies or legal gender minorities older subjected Achieve a 20% Enhancement of violence (e.g., reforms that aim who report Inclusive Social Sexual and to physical, sexual reduction in reported Human Capital evidence-based intimate partner to prevent gender- experiencing Development Gender- Based or psychological cases of intimate Development gender-based violence, sexual based violence (e.g., gender-based Services Violence (SGBV violence by a partner violence in prevention harassment, laws on domestic violence (e.g., current or former the next 5 years trafficking) violence, sexual intimate partner intimate partner within a targeted harassment, and violence, sexual in the previous 12 population trafficking) assault) months, by form of violence and by age Streamlined Formal referral and integrated Number of survivors pathways created to Ensure that 95% of Enhance response services accessing GBV Inclusive Social Sexual and connect survivors survivors receive Human Capital coordination to across sectors, response services Development Gender- Based with various services medical care within Development improve GBV ensuring that (e.g., legal aid, Services Violence (SGBV (e.g., from police to 48 hours of reporting response services survivors receive counseling, medical shelter services or GBV comprehensive, care) medical care) timely support Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 4.1.2 Completion Improved access Tailored leadership rate (primary Increase the Inclusive Enhancing girls’ to education, Number of Inclusive Social and life skills education, participation of girls Human Capital integrated social empowerment mentorship, and girls enrolled in Development training programs lower secondary in empowerment and Development protection and and leadership career pathways empowerment and Services for girls develop and education, leadership projects Welfare Services development for girls and leadership programs implemented upper secondary by 30% young women education) Increased access to education for vulnerable Scholarships 4.2.2 Participation Increase school groups, including Number of Inclusive awarded to students rate in organized enrollment of Inclusive Social Provision marginalized, low- scholarships Human Capital integrated social across various learning (one year vulnerable girls by Development scholarship for income, and at- awarded annually, 0 Development protection and levels of education before the official 5,000; Grant 800 Services Vulnerable Groups risk populations, disaggregated by Welfare Services (primary, secondary, primary entry age), scholarships to gain equitable gender, disability tertiary) by sex empower PWDs access to quality education 16.3.1 Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological Reduced cases Number of child and/or (c) sexual of abuse, Inclusive Expanded Child abuse reports or violence in the Increase child Inclusive Social Strengthening and exploitation, and Human Capital integrated social Protection cases referred to previous 12 months protection and Development expansion of child neglect through TBD Development protection and Reporting and child protection who reported welfare services to Services protection services comprehensive Welfare Services Referral Systems services within a their victimization 200,000 children child protection specific time frame to competent systems authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 mechanisms ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 281 Targets 282 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Women and vulnerable groups Literacy training are empowered programs through conducted for Number of women Ensure that 20% Inclusive Expansion of access improved digital women and Inclusive Social and vulnerable of women and Human Capital integrated social to digital literacy skills, enabling vulnerable groups Development individuals who vulnerable groups Development protection and for women and them to access (e.g., online Services enroll in digital complete digital Welfare Services vulnerable groups information, workshops, in- literacy programs literacy training employment person courses, opportunities, mobile training healthcare, and units). ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID etc. National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Percentage of Increased beneficiaries 2.4.1 Proportion of Provision of cash Inclusive Provision of social household Cash assistance engaging in Inclusive Social agricultural area transfers for Human Capital integrated social cash transfers income and schemes tailored productive Development under productive 2600 empowerment to Development protection and for economic financial security to the needs of activities, such as Services and sustainable 16,000 vulnerable Welfare Services empowerment among vulnerable vulnerable groups small businesses agriculture people populations or agriculture, after receiving support Increased ability Incorporate of institutions, sign language Standardized Expansion service providers, program in at least Inclusive curricula and Number of schools 4.a.1 Proportion Inclusive Social of training in and communities 15 educational Human Capital integrated social materials for sign offering sign of schools offering Development sign language to communicate 3 institutions; Train Development protection and language training in language programs basic services, by Services for inclusive effectively 200 individuals in Welfare Services different sectors and for deaf people type of service communication with Deaf and sign language to skill levels hard-of-hearing enhance inclusive individuals communication Total number of 4.1.2 Completion students receiving rate (primary Inclusive Development of the Establish a national Inclusive Social Increased loans annually, education, Human Capital integrated social national student Student loan student loan scheme Development access to higher disaggregated by lower secondary 0 Development protection and loan scheme (for scheme established policy framework and Services education income level, gender, education, Welfare Services education) operational structure and geographic upper secondary location education) Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 PWDs experience improved Assistive devices Number of Provide at least 5,000 independence (e.g., hearing PWDs receiving Inclusive Supporting PWDs assistive devices (e.g., Inclusive Social in daily activities aids, wheelchairs, assistive devices Human Capital integrated social with assistive wheelchairs, hearing Development such as mobility, prosthetics, screen (e.g., the number Development protection and technology aids, or adaptive Services communication, readers, braille of wheelchairs Welfare Services equipment software) to PWDs and self-care displays) distributed or hearing aids within the next year through the use of to PWDs distributed). assistive deviceS Increased agricultural yields and profitability Development for women-led Support 400 Capacity building on Percentage of Economic of women’s enterprises agribusiness and Inclusive Social sustainable farming trained women Human Capital empowerment productive capacity Women gain entrepreneurship Development practices, agro- applying sustainable TBD Development of women and for climate-smart greater economic enterprises for Services processing, and practices in their vulnerable groups agribusiness and independence women and value addition agribusinesses entrepreneurship through vulnerable groups entrepreneurship in climate-smart agribusiness 13.2.1 Number of countries with nationally determined Reduced contributions, Integration of 75 Cooperative vulnerability of Climate resilent long-term climate resilient received climate Economic communities and ecological Percentage of strategies, national Inclusive Social and ecological resilent and Human Capital empowerment to climate practive in households adopting adaptation plans Development practices in TBD ecological practice in Development of women and change impacts agriculture, energy climate-resilient and and adaptation Services agriculture, energy agriculture, energy vulnerable groups in agriculture, and alternative ecological practices communications, and alternative and alternative energy, and livelihood provided as reported to livelihood livelihood livelihoods the secretariat National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 283 Targets 284 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Increased economic Number of veterans Economic Provision of security and 2.a.1 The agriculture Capacitate 3,000 Inclusive Social National veterans Agricultural Human Capital empowerment support to veterans’ self-sufficiency for orientation index veterans and PWDs Development agri-business cooperatives 1 Development of women and agribusiness veterans through for government in agri-business and Services cooperatives established and vulnerable groups production successful expenditures entrepreneurship operational agribusiness ventures Comprehensive capacity-building 8.5.2 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Economic Development of initiatives tailored to Number of trained Capacitate 3,000 Inclusive Social Unemployment Human Capital empowerment PWDs’ productive Enhanced Skills the needs of PWDs, PWDs actively veterans and PWDs National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Development rate, by sex, age 0 Development of women and capacity for and Capacity covering farming engaging in in agri-business and Services and persons with vulnerable groups agribusiness techniques, business agribusiness entrepreneurship disabilities management, and marketing Tailored capacity- Development building initiatives Economic Increased Capacitate 3,000 Inclusive Social of veterans’ focusing on Number of veterans Human Capital empowerment Economic veterans in agri- Development productive capacity agribusiness skills, enrolled in training TBD Development of women and Independence for business and Services for agribusiness and entrepreneurship, programs vulnerable groups Veterans entrepreneurship entrepreneurship and business management Provision of Annual or semi- support to Increased 2.3.2 Average annual trade Number of women 400 women and Economic women and market access income of Inclusive Social fairs focusing on and vulnerable vulnerable groups Human Capital empowerment vulnerable groups and business small-scale food Development agribusiness and groups agro- 0 attending the Development of women and in organizing opportunities producers, by sex Services entrepreneurship business trade fairs agro-business and vulnerable groups trade fairs of for women and and indigenous for women and held entrepreneurship agribusiness and vulnerable groups status vulnerable groups entrepreneurship Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Children with special needs Inclusive demonstrate educational improved programs, Number of children academic Economic specialized with special Inclusive Social Strengthening achievement, Provide support to Human Capital empowerment classrooms, or needs enrolled in Development support for children learning 1,500 children with Development of women and individualized inclusive schools Services with special needs engagement, and special needs vulnerable groups education plans or specialized developmental (IEPs) developed for programs. progress through children with special inclusive needs. education strategies Establish 50 women Capacity-building agribusiness and Development of initiatives for entrepreneurship Economic Improved women Number of eco- 8.9.1 Tourism direct Inclusive Social women’s leadership women on cooperatives; Human Capital empowerment leadership tourism businesses GDP as a proportion Development capacity in climate leadership, 0 Increased capacity Development of women and capacity in eco- initiated and of total GDP and in Services resilient eco- sustainable tourism, and leadership of at vulnerable groups tourism services managed by women growth rate tourism services and climate least 1,500 women in resilience climate resilient eco- tourism services Development of Percentage of Support the increase Economic Increased women, Deployment of Inclusive Social financial inclusion women, PWDs, and of financial inclusion Human Capital empowerment PWDs and young mobile banking and Development services for women, young people with TBD coverage by 75% of Development of women and people access to digital wallets to Services PWDs and young access to formal women, PWDs and vulnerable groups financial services improve accessibility people financial services vulnerable group Establishment Development of Increased Youth of agribusiness Capacitate at least agri-business and Number of youth- Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth Participation ventures focusing 20,000 youth in entrepreneurship led agribusiness TBD Development Development empowerment in agribusiness on high-value crops, agri-business and productive capacity enterprises initiated ventures agro-processing, entrepreneurship for youth and value addition National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 285 Targets 286 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Provision of Annual or semi- support in annual events organizing trade Increased market Number of youth 700 youth involve Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth focusing on youth- fairs of agri- access for youth agro-business trade 0 annual agriculture Development Development empowerment led agribusiness business and entrepreneurs fairs held trade fair and entrepreneurial entrepreneurship ventures. for the youth Provision of internships, Creation of Number of 8.6.1 Proportion apprenticeships employment internships, of youth (aged Enroll 10,000 youth ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth and volunteer work Enhanced opportunities for apprenticeships, 15–24 years) not TBD volunteers in National Development Development empowerment opportunities for employability youth and PWDs and volunteer in education, National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Youth Service; social development to engage in opportunities employment or of young people community service created training and PWDs Development of Youth-led climate- Number of youth- Increase capacity and youth leadership Enhanced Youth resilient eco-tourism led eco-tourism leadership of 6,000 Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth and capacity in Leadership in Eco- ventures (e.g., enterprises 0 youth in climate Development Development empowerment climate resilient Tourism eco-lodges, guided established or resilient eco-tourism eco-tourism tours) functional services services 16.7.1 Proportions of positions in At least 20% of national and youth engaged in Youth are actively Establishment of local institutions, governance and involved in youth councils, including (a) policy making; Number of youth Supporting youth political and youth parliaments, the legislatures; appointed or elected Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth participation in governance or advisory bodies (b) the public Establish 500 to decision-making TBD Development Development empowerment governance and processes, to ensure youth service; and (c) the youth leadership bodies (e.g., councils, policymaking influencing policy representation in judiciary, compared positions across parliaments, boards) decisions that decision-making to national various local and affect their lives forums distributions, by national governance sex, age, persons structures (e.g., youth with disabilities and councils, parliaments) population groups Targets Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 4.3.1 Participation Revise and update rate of youth and TVET curricula to adults in formal Number of youth Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth Improvement of Enhanced youth align with market and non-formal Ensure 31,625 youth enrolled in TVET TBD Development Development empowerment TVET for Youth entrepreneurship needs, technological education and benefit from TVET programs advancements, and training in the industry standards previous 12 months, by sex Strengthening Increase the Number of youth volunteerism Increased youth number and Ensure 10,000 youth Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth participating in through the participation in variety of volunteer TBD volunteers in National Development Development empowerment volunteer programs National Youth volunteerism opportunities Youth Service each year Service available to youth Low-interest loans with flexible Number of youth Distribute $10 million Supporting the Youth-led Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth repayment terms, successfully applying in loans to 10,000 National Youth businesses have TBD Development Development empowerment tailored specifically for and receiving youth entrepreneurs Loan Scheme to access funding for young business loans across various sectors owners Secure 5,000 Mentorship Development of Number of youth internship, Strengthened opportunities Human Capital Youth Inclusive Youth skilling for future benefitting from apprenticeship youth capacity for accessibility to TBD Development Development empowerment through youth mentorship and volunteerism entrepreneurship youth in each mentorship programs placements for youth county and PWDs Build new, or Development of Number of inclusive Inclusive sports Increased youth upgrade existing Develop Five (5) Human Capital Youth inclusive sports sports facilities and recreational participation in sports complexes 0 youth inclusive sports Development Development centers for the developed or infrastructure sports that are fully centers youth renovated accessible to all National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID 287 Targets 288 Strategic Pillar Program Intervention Outcome Output KPIs Link to SDG Baseline Policy by 2029 Improved the Rehabilitation 3.5.1 Coverage physical and services that cater to Number of of treatment mental health different needs, such youth engaged interventions Enhancement of Provide rehabilitation Inclusive sports challenges, as substance abuse in rehabilitation (pharmacological, Human Capital Youth youth rehabilitation and recreation and recreational fostering treatment, mental services (mental psychosocial and TBD Development Development and recreation services to at least infrastructure resilience, health counseling, health counseling, rehabilitation and services 5,000 youth at risk well-being, anger management, substance abuse aftercare services) and emotional and vocational treatment) for substance use stability training disorders ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 Number of youth (especially those Improved national Specialized training Qualify Liberia to at Inclusive sports Development of from marginalized Human Capital Youth and international programs for least 10 international and recreational sports services and communities) TBD Development Development sports athletes at different sports competitions infrastructure nurturing of talents participating in performance levels annually organized sports programs annually Provide financial Enhancement of Increased support for Medals, rankings, support for Liberian Qualify Liberia to at Inclusive sports performance athletes, covering and other Human Capital Youth young people least 10 international and recreational and success in travel expenses, achievements by TBD Development Development representing Liberia sports competitions infrastructure international accommodation, Liberian athletes in in international annually competitions training fees, and international events competitions competition costs ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development - AAID National Development Plan 2025 – 2029 289