Boakai Seeks Approval for US$30M Salayea–Konia Road Loan | Development

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has formally submitted to the House of Representatives for legislative consideration and ratification a US$30 million Financing Agreement between the Republic of Liberia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance the implementation of the Salayea–Konia Road Project, a flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and accelerating socio-economic development.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has submitted to the House of Representatives, for legislative consideration and ratification, a US$30 million Financing Agreement between Liberia and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

The financing package is intended to support the implementation of the Salayea–Konia Road Project, one of the government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving road connectivity, facilitating trade, and accelerating socio-economic development in the country’s northern corridor.

If ratified by the Legislature, the agreement is expected to enhance regional integration, improve access to markets and essential services, and stimulate economic activities for communities along the project corridor.

In a formal communication addressed to Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon and read before plenary, Boakai requested the lawmakers to ratify the agreement, describing it as a strategic investment in the transport, infrastructure and regional integration agenda.

Under the terms of the Financing Agreement, Boakai said, BADEA has agreed to provide a concessional loan facility of US$30 million to the Government of Liberia to support the construction and upgrading of the Salayea–Konia corridor.

The project is intended to strengthen transport connectivity between Bong and Lofa Counties and the rest of Liberia while improving access to Monrovia and enhancing cross-border linkages with the neighboring Republics of Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The project involves upgrading approximately 56 kilometers of existing laterite road to a climate-resilient asphalt standard, including about 50 kilometers along the Salayea–Konia corridor and an additional six-kilometer spur road connecting Zorzor to Yelea, a Liberian border community adjacent to Guinea.

The investment is expected to modernize one of the country’s strategic transport corridors, integrate previously underserved communities into national and regional markets, and improve the movement of people, goods, and services across the sub-region.

Beyond the infrastructure component, the Executive said the project is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits by improving farmers’ access to agricultural markets, facilitating domestic and cross-border trade, increasing commercial activities, enhancing traffic efficiency, improving road safety, and reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs.

The President further argued that the proposed financing aligns with his administration’s infrastructure modernization agenda and supports Liberia’s broader national development priorities, including economic diversification, regional integration, and inclusive growth.

“Honorable Speaker, I urge the Legislature to ratify this Financing Agreement, which will strengthen our road sector,” President Boakai stated in his communication.

Following deliberations, members of the House of Representatives referred the President’s communication to a joint committee comprising the Committees on Public Works, Ways, Means and Finance, and Judiciary for technical review, policy analysis, and public consultations. The committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations to plenary within two weeks for legislative debate and action.

Under Article 34 of the Constitution and Liberia’s Public Financial Management framework, international loan agreements negotiated by the Executive Branch require legislative ratification before becoming legally binding on the Republic.

If approved by both the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate, the Financing Agreement will be ratified, authorizing the Government of Liberia to access the concessional financing facility and commence implementation of the project in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement.

The proposed Salayea–Konia Road Project forms part of the Boakai administration’s broader infrastructure development strategy, which prioritizes sustainable transport networks, improved regional connectivity, expanded market access, and long-term economic transformation through strategic public investment.