Ex-Finance Minister Tweah Exposes Liberia’s $2.6B National Debt Reality, Branding Opponents’ Claims as Fabricated

Monrovia, Liberia: Former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has presented a detailed account of Liberia’s national debt, revealing that by December 2024 the country’s total debt had reached $2.627 billion. 

Taken to his official Facebook handle on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, public claims suggesting fiscal mismanagement, Tweah stated, “These allegations are fabricated and serve only to mislead the public; the reality of Liberia’s debt is clear and documented.” His analysis, drawn from official Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) reports, emphasizes the importance of transparency in public discourse on fiscal matters.

The Liberian former Finance Minister highlighted the debt inherited by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) in 2017, explaining, “The CDC assumed $266 million in domestic debt from the UP, alongside approximately $170 million in previously unrecorded IMF obligations. We addressed these liabilities responsibly, including debts owed to commercial banks, to restore confidence in our financial sector.” 

He underscored that these measures established a verifiable baseline for Liberia’s fiscal management.
By the end of 2024.

“Domestic debt attributable to the CDC stood at $475.91 million, while the UP’s domestic debt totaled $599.18 million. When combined with international loans, Liberia’s total debt reached $2.627 billion,” he noted.

Ex-Minister Tweah singled out a $64 million borrowing from the CBL in 2024, stating, “This borrowing is a significant addition to the debt profile and requires full transparency regarding its allocation and management.”

On international debt, he clarified, “Loans from multilateral partners such as the World Bank and African Development Bank were directed toward infrastructure, agriculture, and energy projects, disbursed gradually over time, and do not enter the consolidated government account. The UP left an international debt stock of $612 million at the start of our administration, which the CDC has managed responsibly.”

Beyond debt figures, the former Finance Minister emphasized Liberia’s macroeconomic gains, asserting, “Our administration strengthened economic growth from 2.5 percent in 2017 to 4.7 percent in 2023, increased net international reserves from $110 million to $221 million, and raised cash in the consolidated account from $7 million to $40 million. Poverty indicators also improved, demonstrating that CDC governance bolstered the economy rather than undermining it.”

Responding directly to political narratives, Ex-Minister Tweah said, “Claims that the UP is restoring Liberia’s economy are entirely misleading. The debt reality and economic progress are verifiable facts, not political talking points. Misrepresenting these figures is an attempt to distort public perception.”