Liberia Clears Critical MCC Scorecard Hurdle, Paving Way for Major US Compact
In a significant validation of its ongoing reform agenda, Liberia has successfully passed the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) rigorous FY2026 scorecard, a crucial step toward securing a multi-million dollar second compact with the United States government.
A Milestone Achievement with Cautious Optimism
Finance and Development Planning Minister, Augustine K. Ngafuan, confirmed the breakthrough, revealing that the Liberian government received a confidential copy of the results ahead of the official November 12, 2025 release. While celebrating the achievement, Minister Ngafuan struck a measured tone, emphasizing that “Passing is not the end; it is the beginning.”
He elaborated that the government’s focus is now on improving areas of strength and taking “corrective action” where performance was lacking, signaling a long-term commitment to the MCC’s standards beyond a single successful review.
Navigating the MCC’s Mandatory “Hard Indicators”
The MCC scorecard, which has expanded from 20 to 22 performance indicators, requires countries to pass at least half to remain eligible. However, the most critical components are the two non-negotiable “hard indicators”—Control of Corruption and Democratic Rights.
“This is significant because if you fail any of these two, you automatically fail, no matter how many other indicators you pass,” Minister Ngafuan explained during an appearance on the ELBC Super Morning Show. Liberia’s passage of both mandatory categories underscores the Boakai administration’s claims of progress in governance, transparency, and accountability.
The Road to a Second Compact
Liberia’s journey toward a second compact has been complex. Minister Ngafuan referenced past disruptions, including U.S. government transitions that affected MCC programs globally. Despite these challenges, Liberia maintained its eligibility.
Since December 2024, the nation has aggressively re-engaged with the MCC, recruiting technical staff and holding multiple bilateral meetings in both Monrovia and Washington, D.C. to accelerate preparations. The Minister expressed confidence that the MCC Board will reaffirm Liberia’s eligibility and announce potential funding during its scheduled December 2025 meeting.
Economic Growth and Fiscal Reforms Underpin Progress
The MCC success is bolstered by positive domestic economic signals. Minister Ngafuan revealed that the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) collected a record-breaking $700 million in domestic revenue in 2024, the highest in the nation’s history.
This performance supports a projected 2025/2026 National Budget of $1.211 billion. The Minister attributed the growth to a digitizing tax system, the closure of fiscal loopholes, and expanding trade, noting that “if you visit the Freeport of Monrovia at night, you’ll see trucks lined up because the economy is growing.” The government projects a 5.4% GDP growth rate.
Energy and Infrastructure: The Next Frontier
Looking ahead, Minister Ngafuan identified Energy and Infrastructure—specifically road development—as the two primary constraints to Liberian economic growth, a diagnosis confirmed by MCC assessments.
“Affordable and reliable energy is crucial for businesses to grow and create jobs. And as we always say, the development of a nation begins with the development of roads,” he emphasized. These sectors are expected to be central to both the government’s development planning and any potential second compact with the MCC.
This report is based on information originally published by The New Republic Liberia.