Monrovia — Rees Mwasambili, the new country manager of the African Development Bank (AfDB) for Liberia, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan.
Country Manager Mwasambili led a team that included Principal Country Program Officer John Baslo Bukenya and Senior Country Economist Yusuf Bob Foday.
During the meeting, Minister Ngafuan welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of the Bank’s continued engagement with Liberia as the government advances its development priorities.
He noted that the presence of the Bank’s country office plays an important role in supporting Liberia’s effective use of development financing and in guiding the implementation of key national programs.
Minister Ngafuan described the African Development Bank as a trusted partner in Liberia’s development, highlighting the Bank’s longstanding contributions to the country’s progress, particularly in the road sector.
He noted that the AfDB has been one of Liberia’s most significant partners in road infrastructure development, a sector that remains central to the country’s broader economic transformation.
The Minister also welcomed the recent appointment of a substantive Country Representative for Liberia, noting that the strengthened presence of the Bank in the country will further deepen collaboration between the Government of Liberia and the AfDB.
“At the Bank, we have a family,” Minister Ngafuan said during the meeting. “Your presence here helps guide us and ensures that we remain on track in meeting our development targets.”
He further encouraged the Bank to continue working closely with the government while supporting efforts to accelerate the implementation and financing of projects that are currently progressing slowly.
Speaking on behalf of the Bank, Country Manager Mr. Rees Mwasambili reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s development agenda. He expressed appreciation for the continued cooperation between the Government of Liberia and the Bank.
Mr. Mwasambili also noted his personal connection to Liberia, explaining that he had previously served in the country in another capacity and was pleased to return to lead the Bank’s operations in Liberia.
He assured the Minister that the AfDB team would work closely with the Government to fulfill the Bank’s mandate and support the successful implementation of development initiatives across key sectors.
The meeting reflects the continued collaboration between the Government of Liberia and the African Development Bank, as both institutions work to advance sustainable development and economic growth in Liberia.
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