Liberia's 2027 Budget Prioritizes Lawmakers Over Citizens

Liberia's 2027 draft national budget stands at $1.54 billion, marking an 18 percent increase from this year. The Finance Ministry describes it as "A Growing Budget for Bigger Impact." However, a closer look reveals that the extra funds primarily benefit lawmakers, the security sector, and retired politicians, rather than the general population. The budget's allocation has raised concerns about the government's priorities.

The Liberian Legislature is set to receive $58.2 million, over three times the allocation for the entire agriculture sector. Furthermore, $5.47 million is budgeted for lawmakers' vehicle fuel, while the Ministry of Health's budget for drugs and medical consumables is only $4.23 million. The Legislature's allowance for "entertainment and representation" is $2.66 million, highlighting a stark contrast in priorities.

The 2027 budget also shows that the Legislature and National Security Agency, which overspent their 2026 budgets, are set to receive increases. In contrast, the Ministry of Health had not spent a cent of its 2026 capital budget by September, and the Ministry of Agriculture had spent nothing of the $5.5 million approved for farm projects. This disparity in funding has sparked concerns about the government's commitment to essential public services.

Liberia, like other African Union members, has pledged to allocate 10 percent of its budget to agriculture. However, this budget allocates only 1.2 percent to the sector. The 2001 Abuja Declaration requires African governments to allocate 15 percent for health; this budget allocates 8.8 percent. Education, at 10.6 percent, falls below the 15 to 20 percent recommended internationally.

President Joseph Boakai's Agenda puts Agriculture first, yet it receives the lowest allocation in the budget. If this mismatch is unintended, the Finance Ministry should rectify it. If it is intended, the government should clarify its priorities. The budget's flagship Social Protection Safety Net, meant for Liberia's poorest households, receives only $1.05 million, while benefits for former elected officials total $2.23 million.

The budget also reveals geographical disparities in funding. Montserrado, home to the capital Monrovia, is allocated $52 million, while Rivercess receives only $837,710. The Monrovia City Corporation's budget increases by 74 percent, partly for a $4 million "smart sanitation and city beautification" program, while many rural areas await basic services.

Several budget lines raise questions about transparency, including $7.1 million in transfers to three mining companies and a $14 million "Transfer to Vendor Share." The budget also lacks clear explanations for increased spending on "intelligence services" and irregularities in allocations to certain universities. The document contains basic errors, including incorrect dates and figures, which undermines its credibility.

Key points

• The budget prioritizes lawmakers' benefits over citizens' welfare.
• The allocation to agriculture and health sectors falls short of international recommendations.
• The budget lacks transparency in several areas, including transfers to mining companies and increased spending on intelligence services.