On January 22, 2024, Joseph Boakai was inaugurated as President of Liberia, pledging to tackle corruption, revive the faltering economy, create middle income country and address the escalating cost of living faced by the nation of 5.5 million people. Today Thursday Jan. 22, 2026, marks his second year in office.
In his inaugural address, Boakai emphasized a commitment to democracy and rule of law, stating, “I come with rekindled hope. I have come to rekindle your Hope. Let us restore the years the locusts have eaten.”
Two years into his presidency, Boakai’s record has drawn mixed reactions from the public, analysts, and political stakeholders.
While he has taken meaningful steps toward economic recovery, his administration has faced significant backlash regarding governance, rule of law, and allegations of corruption.
This Oracle News Daily’s assessment reviews President Joseph Boakai’s first two years in office (inaugurated 22 January 2024) using available public indicators and reporting. Each sector is assessed for performance, with a clear rating on a –10 scale and concise, priority recommendations.
Economy — Rating: 5/10
Performance snapshot: Real GDP growth showed improvement from 4.6% (2023) to an estimated 5.1% (2024), with mixed projections (IMF lowered 2025 forecast to 4.6% from 5.6%). Inflation accelerated (about 8.2% → 10.7%), and unemployment/job creation remain key weaknesses.
Positive factors: Attraction of large mining and energy investments; potential MCC compact and IMF Resilience & Sustainability Facility (RSF) eligibility; planned mining revenue targets and growing foreign interest (mining, oil prospects).
Risks and constraints: Persistent inflation, fragile job creation, dependence on extractive sectors, and the need to revise an ambitious $8 billion development plan to realistic revenue assumptions.
Task:
- Prioritize job rich sectors (agriculture, processing, construction) with short-term incentives and skills programs.
- Recalibrate the development financing plan and revenue projections with IMF/World Bank technical support.
- Strengthen macroeconomic safeguards to fight inflation (monetary coordination, targeted subsidies).
Rule of Law and Governance — Rating: 3/10
Performance snapshot: Mixed signals — modest improvement in some rule of law indices but significant concerns about executive interference, disregard for Supreme Court guidance, politically driven removals of officials, and shrinking civic space.
Key concerns: Perceived erosion of judicial independence and civic freedoms; inconsistent adherence to court orders; politically motivated administrative actions.
Task:
- Publicly recommit to judicial independence and establish an independent oversight mechanism for politically sensitive removals.
- Ensure transparency in executive actions and publish reasons and legal bases for suspensions/removals.
- Protect civic space and implement training for law enforcement on rights-based policing.
Corruption — Rating: 3/10
Performance snapshot: Early anticorruption signals (audits, suspensions, indictments) have not translated into sustained prosecutions or asset recovery. Antigraft institutions appear to act selectively and slowly.
Key concerns: Slow case progression, lack of tangible asset recovery, perceived politicization of anticorruption efforts, and unresolved high-profile procurement controversies.
Task:
- Strengthen the independence, capacity, and resourcing of the Liberia Anticorruption Commission and prosecutorial units.
- Publish a clear, timebound asset recovery and case management roadmap with public updates.
- Implement transparent procurement processes and mandatory public disclosure of large infrastructure contracts.
Health & Education — Rating: 4/10
Performance snapshot: Incremental funding increases and new multiyear donor commitments (U.S. MOU, IDA credit for education) are positive, but service delivery and institutional stability remain weak.
Positive factors: New financing packages for education (EXCEL) and health, and increased sector allocations in budgets.
Key concerns: Persistent gaps in rural health infrastructure, interrupted higher education services, and reliance on external aid.
Task:
- Stabilize funding for essential health programs (maternal/child health, disease control) with ring fenced budget lines.
- Support universities with emergency operational funding and reform plans.
- Prioritize primary health and basic education investments in rural areas for rapid, visible impact.
Agriculture — Rating: 6/10
Performance snapshot: Strong policy focus and concrete initiatives (National Agriculture Plan, large rice expansion, foreign partnerships) support food security objectives and potential import substitution.
Positive factors: Land cultivation targets, partnerships (e.g., Uniland), processing plant plans in Nimba, clear five-year targets.
Key concerns: High local food prices, infrastructure and logistics gaps, need for mechanization and value chain investments.
Task:
- Pair land expansion with irrigation, storage, and local processing to reduce postharvest losses and stabilize prices.
- Channel targeted subsidies and extension services to smallholders and cooperatives.
- Improve rural road links to markets as a priority for the ARREST agenda.
National Security — Rating: 2/10
Performance snapshot: Reports of police brutality, unlawful detentions, excessive checkpoints, and tensions with opposition groups indicate a fragile security governance environment. Some efforts on drug enforcement noted but overall public confidence is low.
Key concerns: Human rights abuses by security forces, weak accountability, and localized insecurity incidents.
Task
Urgently set up an independent, transparent inquiry into alleged abuses and ensure disciplinary transparency.
- Invest in community policing, rights based training, and better oversight mechanisms.
- Demilitarize routine civic interactions (reduce arbitrary checkpoints) and professionalize the security services.
Foreign Relations Rating: 7/10
Performance snapshot: Strong diplomatic outreach with improved relations regionally and with major partners; election to a non-permanent UN Security Council seat; progress on attracting investment.
Positive factors: Enhanced ties with the U.S., France, neighboring states, and success in securing international commitments and investor interest.
Task
- Translate diplomatic capital into concrete, accountable investment projects tied to local content and job creation.
- Coordinate international support for governance and institutional strengthening alongside infrastructure deals.
- Maintain a balanced regional approach to safeguard Mano River cooperation.
Infrastructure & Basic Services — Rating: 4/10
Performance snapshot: Notable project starts (roads, grid expansion, water reservoir repairs) and improved LEC connections, but supply shortfalls, tariff pressures, incomplete projects, and uneven water access remain serious obstacles.
Key concerns: Demand exceeding supply in power, high commercial losses (improved but still high), ongoing load shedding, incomplete water restoration in many urban areas, and slow project completion.
Task:
Fasttrack projects that deliver visible household benefits (priority urban water zones, targeted electrification).
Strengthen project procurement transparency and independent project monitoring to accelerate completion.
Balance tariff reforms with targeted subsidies and improved billing/collection systems to stabilize LEC finances.
Overall score (simple average of sectors) of the Unity Party Alliance government after two years in office: 4/10
In summary the Boakai administration has achieved meaningful traction in economic diplomacy, investment attraction, and sector plans (notably agriculture). However, governance weaknesses—particularly in rule of law, corruption handling, and security sector accountability—undermine public confidence and threaten to blunt gains.
Service delivery in health, education, and basic utilities shows improvements on paper and through donor commitments, but tangible, equitable results are still limited.
The Oracle News Daily’s assessment aims to provide a concise, evidence focused snapshot of performance to date and pragmatic steps to accelerate delivery and accountability in the second half of the administration’s term.
By OND Editorial Team
