Liberia Seeks Global Support for Ambitious Energy Overhaul

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Liberia has formally presented its National Energy Compact, a transformative roadmap to revolutionize the country's energy sector, for financing consideration at the Africa Energy Summit. The submission, made on Monday, aims to secure support from the African Development Bank, World Bank, and other international partners to address the nation’s energy challenges and drive sustainable growth.

The Liberian delegation, comprising Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Mines and Energy Minister Wilmot Paye, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) Acting Managing Director Thomas Gonkerwon, Liberia Rural Renewable Energy Agency Executive Director Samuel Nagbe, and Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management Dehpue Zuo, detailed the compact’s ambitious goals during the summit.

Liberia’s proposal aligns with the Mission 300 initiative, a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the African Development Bank to connect 300 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030.

The National Energy Compact outlines Liberia’s strategy to expand access to electricity, transition to renewable energy, and modernize its energy infrastructure. Key objectives include:

Expanding Access: Increasing electricity coverage from 32.7% to 75% by 2030, connecting 100,000 households annually.

Renewable Energy Growth: Boosting renewable energy to 75% of the energy mix through hydro development, a 20MW solar PV plant at Mt. Coffee, and 70MW of solar PV with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Infrastructure Expansion: Extending transmission and distribution networks and utilizing the CLSG regional electricity grid.

Private Sector Engagement: Attracting private investments for Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions, clean cooking technologies, and utility financial sustainability.

“This compact represents a strategic partnership between Liberia, global donors, and private investors to achieve transformative energy reforms,” Minister Ngafuan told state Radio from Dar es Salaam.

Liberia’s energy compact underscores the nation’s resolve to create a sustainable and inclusive energy future, positioning it as a key player in Africa’s drive toward universal electrification.