Monrovia, Liberia
During Friday’s Executive Budget Hearing, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan and Internal Affairs Minister Francis Saah Nyumalin underscored the importance of strategic budgeting, local empowerment, and improved execution as the government works toward finalizing the 2026 national budget.
Minister Ngafuan praised the Ministry of Internal Affairs and local government officials for effectively managing scarce resources, noting that the upcoming budget is being crafted to reflect the priorities of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) the administration’s central development strategy.
“You’re the closest link to our citizens,” Hon. Ngafuan told local officials. “When we see you, we see Liberia. This budget must empower you to meet your objectives in line with the ARREST Agenda.”
Ngafuan highlighted the sharp increase in the national budget from $788 million in 2024 to approximately $880 million in 2025, a jump of over $140 million. However, he emphasized that this remains significantly below the more than $2 billion in total funding requests submitted by government entities.
“We’re facing a situation where demands far outpace available resources,” he said. “So the challenge is clear: we must prioritize our priorities. It’s not just about spending more, it’s about spending wisely.”
The Finance Minister pointed out disparities in agency performance, stating that some institutions achieve strong results with modest budgets, while others underperform despite larger allocations.
“Those who deliver results with less make a strong case for more,” Ngafuan noted. “Your ministry is delivering. There are challenges, of course, but the progress is evident.”
He also urged earlier and better coordination in the budget preparation cycle to minimize delays in implementation. Ngafuan reaffirmed the administration’s goal of submitting the 2026 budget to the Legislature before October 31 to allow for timely approval ahead of the new fiscal year.
In his remarks, Internal Affairs Minister Nyumalin welcomed the collaborative approach adopted by the Finance Ministry, contrasting it with practices under previous administrations.
“In my seven years in the Legislature, I can’t recall this level of open and transparent engagement with spending entities,” said Nyumalin. “It’s a step in the right direction, and I applaud the Ministry of Finance.”
He acknowledged the Ministry of Internal Affairs operated under a constrained budget, but noted that internal adjustments allowed them to fund critical initiatives such as the Land Governance Support Program, which initially had no allocated funding.
“Through internal reallocations, we managed to support important programs,” Hon. Nyumalin said. “Minister Ngafuan and his team have shown a willingness to listen and respond within the limits of available resources.”
Despite this, Nyumalin warned that substantial funding gaps remain, particularly in salaries and operational support for traditional and local governance leaders. He emphasized the need to better support:
* Over 200,000 local chiefs
* Around 500 statutory district chiefs
* Between 1,000 and 1,500 general town chiefs
“These leaders are essential to local governance,” he stated. “We can’t afford to pretend they’re working while we pretend to pay them.”
Nyumalin also stressed the importance of timely and consistent disbursement of county development funds. He argued that enabling local authorities with direct resources is key to reducing overreliance on central government and achieving genuine decentralization.
Both ministers concluded by reaffirming their commitment to enhancing budget performance and public service delivery.
“We haven’t solved every issue,” Hon. Ngafuan said in closing. “But compared to where we began, the progress is real. Let’s make next year better—through your plans, your honesty, and your cooperation.”
The Executive Budget Hearings continue as the Ministry of Finance moves toward completing and submitting the draft 2026 National Budget to the Legislature for consideration.
