President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Saturday, May 23, 2026, officially broke ground for the construction of the 86-kilometer Mandikoma–Voinjama road corridor in Lofa County, a major infrastructure project valued at US$35 million.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Mandikoma Town, Foya District, drawing huge crowds of citizens, traditional leaders, government officials, and development partners from across Lofa County. Residents described the occasion as historic and praised President Boakai for what they termed his commitment to genuine national development, particularly in the area of road connectivity.
The road project is expected to significantly improve transportation and economic activities in Lofa County by linking communities and enhancing access to markets, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to rebuilding Liberia’s road network and connecting major county capitals across the country. He emphasized that road infrastructure remains a critical pillar of his government’s development agenda aimed at improving the living conditions of Liberians.
The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, along with local chiefs, elders, youth groups, and community members.
The Mandikoma–Voinjama corridor project is being financed through a consortium of international development partners, including the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund, the African Development Bank, and the Government of Liberia.
Implementation of the project has been awarded to PAVIFORT, a Sierra Leonean engineering and construction company expected to execute the road works.
Many residents expressed optimism that the project will transform the region by reducing travel time, boosting trade, and opening up economic opportunities for local communities throughout Lofa County.
The groundbreaking marks another significant step in the Boakai administration’s push to modernize Liberia’s infrastructure and strengthen national development through improved road connectivity.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held Saturday at the Foya Airstrip, marks the beginning of what government officials describe as a major infrastructure initiative aimed at improving road connectivity across Lofa County and neighboring communities.
President Boakai was received by local authorities, government officials, and residents who gathered to witness the launch of the road project, which is expected to enhance transportation, trade, and access to basic services in the region.
The Mendikorma to Voinjama highway pavement project is expected to improve connectivity, enhance trade and transportation, and boost economic activities within Lofa County and neighboring communities along the Liberia–Sierra Leone corridor.
Prince D. Tamba, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Public Works who presented an overview of the proposed upgrade of the 86-kilometer Voinjama–Madikoma road corridor noted that the project is expected to be implemented under a Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) concession arrangement.
The Voinjama-Mendikorma Road Project is a critical infrastructure initiative aimed at paving a strategic highway corridor in Lofa County. The project connects Voinjama through the Kolahun District to Mendikorma, which sits near the Liberia–Sierra Leone border.
President Boakai officially broke ground and launched the pavement works in Mendikorma. The pavement construction is being executed by Pavifort Associates (Pavifort Liberia). The upgraded highway is expected to significantly reduce travel time, facilitate easier transport of agricultural goods (bolstering Lofa’s status as a ‘bread basket’), and drastically improve access to healthcare and education.
By linking remote communities to Voinjama and extending to the Sierra Leone border, it is designed to increase cross-border trade and boost regional economic integration. The initiative aligns with the Liberian government’s broader national agenda to transform rural road networks, boost local economies, and improve the livelihoods of citizens
The Voinjama-Mendikorma corridor has long been a major concern for residents and commuters due to its poor condition, especially during the rainy season when travel becomes difficult. Government officials say the project forms part of the Boakai administration’s broader agenda to rehabilitate critical road networks across Liberia.
