Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has announced a series of nationwide reforms aimed at modernizing customs posts and strengthening domestic revenue generation, as part of the government’s broader economic recovery and development agenda.
Speaking during a tour of the Mendicorma customs entry point in Lofa County, Minister Ngafuan said the government is committed to improving infrastructure, logistics, and digital connectivity at customs facilities across the country to ensure increased efficiency and higher revenue collection.
“There are many things we intend to do to improve customs operations nationwide so that the country can raise more revenue,” Ngafuan said. “This is a collective effort, and we deeply appreciate the sacrifices and professionalism of customs and immigration officers who serve the nation under difficult conditions”, he added. The visit formed part of the minister’s ongoing county tour, during which he commended officers stationed at various border posts for their dedication and service.
He emphasized that customs and immigration operations are linked and assured personnel that government support for their work would increase in the coming months. Reflecting on the past, Ngafuan recalled that the current Mendicorma customs facility was commissioned in 2011 during his previous tenure as Minister of Finance.
While expressing satisfaction that the structure remains in solid condition more than a decade later, he stressed the need for additional investment to enhance productivity and service delivery. A key highlight of the minister’s remarks was the disclosure that, beginning in 2026, the government plans to connect all customs posts across Liberia to reliable internet services.
The initiative, he said, will significantly improve real-time data transmission, accountability, and revenue monitoring. At present, the Mendicorma customs entry point faces several operational challenges, including limited mobility, lack of internet connectivity and computers, absence of security radios for effective communication, and inadequate access to water systems.
Touring the facilities, Minister Ngafuan said he observed these challenges firsthand and pledged phased support to address them. “We listened to the people during the town hall meetings, and we are going to act on many of the issues raised,” he assured residents and government employees. The minister also announced that a long-awaited road construction project linking Mendicorma to Voinjama City is expected to begin soon. According to Ngafuan, Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings informed him that the construction company assigned to the project is from neighbouring Sierra Leone.
“The company is only a few yards away, and the work on the Mendicorma–Voinjama road will soon commence,” he said, describing the project as critical to trade, mobility, and regional integration. Additionally, Ngafuan revealed plans, through Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah, to strengthen and capacitate all customs ports nationwide.
He emphasized the need for faster, more responsive systems, noting that border traffic is dynamic and requires modern solutions. “Traffic is moving; it is not static,” Ngafuan said. “I will ensure that processes move faster, especially for our local government employees and traders”, he maintained.
In brief remarks, the City Mayor welcomed the minister and his delegation, thanking them for prioritizing Lofa County. He underscored the strategic importance of the Gbarnga–Mendicorma road, describing it as the “heartbeat” of the county’s economy and a vital link for trade and development. The visit signals renewed government focus on border management, infrastructure development, and digital transformation as Liberia seeks to strengthen revenue mobilization and accelerate national growth.
