Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called on Liberians living abroad to utilize their expertise, investments, skills, and professional networks to help drive the country's national transformation. At a town hall meeting in Olney, Maryland, President Boakai emphasized the importance of the Diaspora in Liberia's development story, urging them to move beyond dialogue and towards practical contributions that produce measurable results. The town hall, held at the Harvest InterContinental Church, followed the President's participation in the 2026 Liberia Diaspora Conference.
President Boakai highlighted his government's progress since assuming office in January 2024, citing economic growth of 4.0 percent in 2024 and 5.1 percent in 2025, along with a decline in inflation to about four percent by December 2025. He also noted that domestic revenue collections surpassed US$1 billion in September 2026, compared with approximately US$612 million in 2023. The President emphasized that the priority now is to translate increased domestic resources into better public services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for Liberians.
The President encouraged Liberians in the Diaspora to respond to ongoing efforts by Liberia's Embassies and Consulates to improve information on Liberians living abroad. He stated that better Diaspora data would help the Government's national development planning exercise by identifying the skills, professions, experience, and networks available across the global Liberian community and connecting them to concrete opportunities in Liberia. Accurate diaspora data can help match professionals with opportunities to serve Liberia.
President Boakai cited several development priorities, including agriculture and food security, roads and infrastructure, rule of law and governance, education and skills, sanitation and health, as well as tourism, technology, and innovation. He highlighted progress in the energy sector, including the energization of the Buchanan Electricity Distribution Network, restoring grid electricity to parts of Buchanan after more than three decades. The President also mentioned the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system, designed to strengthen transparency, competition, and value for public resources.
The President devoted his presentation at the town hall largely to outlining progress made since his Administration assumed office, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. He highlighted the dedication of the 81-kilometer Gbarnga-Salayea Road in July 2026 and the groundbreaking for the Salayea-Konia and Zorzor-Yeala corridors, supported by US$73.8 million in financing from Arab development partners. President Boakai also emphasized his Administration's focus on accountability and the rule of law.
President Boakai emphasized his government's focus on health, sanitation, and urban development, citing support for the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), the integration of ELWA Hospital into the centralized civil-service pay system, and the launch of the Presidential Clean Cities Initiative. He also highlighted Liberia's growing role in international affairs, noting the country's election in 2025 to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2026–2027 term.
President Boakai called for a sustained partnership between Liberians at home and abroad, emphasizing that the Government, the private sector, civil society, development partners, and the Diaspora each have a role to play in advancing Liberia's development. He set a test for his government: measurable results, not more dialogue. The President's call to action aligns with the Administration's desire to deepen engagement with Liberians abroad.
Key points
- President Boakai urges Liberians abroad to contribute skills, investment, and data to drive Liberia's transformation.
- Liberia's domestic revenue collections surpassed US$1 billion in September 2026.
- President Boakai emphasizes the importance of accountability and the rule of law in Liberia's development.
