A Liberian delegation has returned from a highly productive study tour in Kenya, where they gained valuable insights into the effective management of development partner-supported programs and projects.
The tour, which took place from March 24-28, 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on Kenya’s expertise in leveraging country systems and civil servant capacities to manage donor-funded initiatives.
The delegation, led by Assistant Finance Minister for External Resources and Debt Management, Hon. Alice Williams, included civil servants from key government agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
The study toured comes at a pivotal time for Liberia as the government is utilizing civil servants and local systems to implement the newly launched Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project.
This US$30 million initiative, funded by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, aims to enhance citizens’ access to key services, including national identification and public records, through improved e-governance platforms.
The project also focuses on streamlining tax administration, implementing a Value-Added Tax (VAT) system, enhancing government oversight, anti-corruption efforts, and improving financial management.
During the tour, the delegation participated in valuable roundtable discussions and expert presentations, engaging with Kenyan counterparts who are involved in managing donor-funded projects.
The delegation visited several key institutions, including the National Treasury of Kenya, the Public Financial Management Reforms Secretariat, the World Bank Office in Nairobi, and the Program Implementation Unit of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.
These interactions provided the Liberian team with firsthand knowledge of how Kenya has successfully integrated national systems into its development programs.
The delegation also had in-depth discussions with Kenyan officials on overcoming challenges related to project management, fiscal oversight, and donor coordination. These exchanges highlighted practical strategies for improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of donor funds.
Assistant Finance Minister Williams, who headed the delegation, expressed her appreciation for the productive and insightful discussions that took place during the tour.
She emphasized that the knowledge gained would play a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of donor-funded projects in Liberia.
“We are committed to strengthening Liberia’s capacity to manage donor-funded initiatives in a way that maximizes impact and fosters greater trust between our government and development partners,” said Assistant Minister Williams.
“This study tour has provided us with practical insights into how we can enhance our public financial management systems, empower civil servants, and create a more transparent and accountable environment for managing development aid.”
The study tour marks a significant step forward in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to reform its public financial management systems and create a more effective and sustainable environment for the implementation of donor-funded projects across the country.
