Monrovia — Three staffer from Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) have been recognized for their outstanding contributions at a major continental workshop focused on advancing digital public financial management (PFM) reforms across Africa.
P. Akoi Thompson, Sedekie Kamara, and Robert Gaye received the recognition following their participation in the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI)’s Digital PFM Reform in Africa Peer Learning Exchange (PLE), held from March 9–10 in Kigali.
The high-level gathering brought together public finance practitioners, policymakers, and reform experts from across the continent to share experiences and innovative approaches to digital transformation in government financial systems.
The Liberian delegation include P. Akoi Thompson, Director of Payroll Coordination and Tracking; Sedekie Kamara, Assistant Director Public Investment Unit; and Robert Gaye, Assistant Director for Monitoring and Evaluation.
Their engagement at the workshop highlighted Liberia’s increasing commitment to strengthening fiscal governance through modern, technology-driven systems.
Discussions at the two-day event centered on the growing role of digital tools—including integrated financial management information systems (IFMIS), e-procurement platforms, and digital tax administration—in improving the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of public resource management.
Participating countries, including Rwanda, Kenya, and Liberia, shared case studies demonstrating progress in reducing financial leakages, enhancing procurement processes, and aligning reforms with broader national development goals.
Experts at the forum emphasized that digital PFM reforms extend beyond technological upgrades, serving as critical instruments for promoting transparency, building public trust, and ensuring inclusive governance.
A key highlight of the workshop was its peer-learning model, which enabled participants to exchange ideas and lessons learned in an interactive setting. Delegates explored common challenges such as system interoperability, cyber security risks, and limited technical capacity, while identifying practical solutions tailored to their respective national context.
Organizers also stressed that the success of digital reforms depends on more than technology, pointing to the importance of strong leadership, sustained political will, and continuous investment in human capital.
Upon their return to Monrovia, the delegation conducted a debriefing session with Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, to whom the recognition was formally presented, highlighting key outcomes of the workshop and Liberia’s continued commitment to advancing digital PFM reforms.
The event further underscored the value of regional collaboration in accelerating reform efforts. By strengthening networks among public finance practitioners, African countries can share knowledge, scale successful innovations, and drive collective progress in fiscal governance.
The recognition of Thompson, Kamara, and Gaye is a testament to Liberia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its public financial management systems and actively contribute to continent-wide initiatives aimed at leveraging digital innovation for improved governance.
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