Pres. Boakai Urges Stronger Collaboration, Smarter Investments

By Stephanie M. Duncan

Monrovia-November 20, 2025: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Tuesday delivered the keynote address at the opening of the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the African Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), calling for deeper cooperation and innovative financing to strengthen Africa’s road infrastructure. The ceremony took place at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town.

Welcoming delegates, road fund managers, policymakers, and development partners from across the continent, President Boakai expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia for hosting this year’s gathering. He described the conference as “a meeting of dedicated minds committed to advancing Africa’s road infrastructure.”

The President said ARMFA’s convening in Liberia comes at a time when the country is making meaningful strides in sustainable infrastructure development. He noted that the presence of representatives from various African nations reinforces the collective commitment to sustainable development and contributes to Liberia’s success story.

In his wide-ranging address, President Boakai underscored the vital role roads play in Africa’s economic and social transformation. He emphasized that road networks link farmers to markets, children to schools, patients to healthcare, and businesses to opportunities—connections he said are essential to realizing Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

While highlighting progress, the Liberian Leader acknowledged persistent challenges confronting the continent’s infrastructure systems, including climate change, rapid urbanization, and limited financing. These issues, he stressed, demand swift, innovative, and collaborative approaches.

“When we leave potholes unrepaired or downplay the urgency of a collapsing bridge, we create barriers to the safety and advancement of our people,” President Boakai warned.