The Government of Liberia has inked a landmark US$30 million loan agreement with the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to pave the long-awaited Salayea–Konia Road, a vital artery linking Bong and Lofa Counties to regional trade corridors.
The deal was sealed on June 23, 2026, in Vienna during the OPEC Fund Development Forum and its 50th anniversary celebrations. Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan signed on behalf of Liberia, while BADEA President Abdullah Almusabeeh represented the Arab development institution.
This financing marks a dramatic push to modernize a neglected stretch of the Gbarnga–Mendikorma Highway, a route that connects Liberia’s northwestern region to Sierra Leone and Guinea. Once completed, the upgraded road is expected to slash transportation costs, boost agricultural trade, and open access to essential services for thousands of rural Liberians.
Minister Ngafuan hailed the agreement as a turning point: “On behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Government and people of Liberia, I extend sincere appreciation to BADEA for this significant investment. This financing demonstrates confidence in Liberia’s development trajectory and will have a transformative impact on communities across Bong and Lofa Counties.”
The Salayea–Konia project is part of a sweeping vision to unlock Liberia’s economic potential through modern infrastructure. Backed by multiple Arab lenders — including the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the OPEC Fund — the initiative ranks among the most ambitious road development programs in Liberia’s history.
Ngafuan underscored the government’s determination to move swiftly from financing to construction, ensuring timely ratification and implementation. “This is not just about roads,” he stressed, “it is about opening doors to prosperity.”
BADEA’s commitment extends beyond asphalt. The institution is exploring additional financing in energy, water, sanitation, and health, including potential support for the Botota–Mendikorma Electrification Project, water systems in Ganta, Buchanan, and Kakata, and sewage rehabilitation in Montserrado County.
In a symbolic gesture of partnership, President Boakai has invited BADEA’s leadership to Liberia’s 179th Independence Anniversary in July 2026. The occasion will feature the dedication of the newly paved Gbarnga–Salayea Road (81 km) and the official launch of the Salayea–Konia–Voinjama leg. BADEA President Almusabeeh confirmed plans to attend, praising Liberia’s vision and reaffirming his institution’s commitment.
With this agreement, Liberia is not merely paving a road — it is paving a future. The Salayea–Konia corridor, once a rugged obstacle, is set to become a gleaming symbol of progress, connecting communities, fueling trade, and driving the nation closer to its long promised economic renaissance.
