Monrovia, Liberia – March 18, 2025 – The Government of Liberia (GoL) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have reaffirmed their commitment to rural transformation by launching a two-day stakeholder consultation workshop aimed at designing the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) 2026–2030. This new framework will guide IFAD’s agricultural investments, value chain development, and economic empowerment efforts over the next five years.
The consultation comes as the COSOP 2020–2025 nears completion. Approved in 2019, the previous COSOP focused on job creation, food security, climate resilience, and rural infrastructure. A mid-term review confirmed its relevance and recommended further investments in smallholder productivity and trade balance improvements to strengthen Liberia’s rural economy. The new COSOP will build on these achievements while aligning with Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP) 2024–2030 and the UN Cooperation Framework.
IFAD Representative Pascaline Barenkeba emphasized the importance of the workshop, stating: “This workshop is not just about reviewing or elaborating documents or policies; it’s about defining a clear vision for the future of rural communities in Liberia. By reflecting on where we are and where we want to go, we can drive agricultural transformation, economic empowerment, and food security in alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
She further highlighted IFAD’s long-term partnership with Liberia, noting: “For years, IFAD has been a steadfast and committed partner in Liberia’s development journey. Our collaboration with the Government of Liberia has yielded significant progress. The next five years will be critical as we consolidate progress, integrate lessons learned, and align with the evolving ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) 2025–2029 and the NADP 2024–2030. These efforts will expand opportunities for farmers and enhance climate resilience.”
Representing Agriculture Minister Dr. J. Alexander Nuetah, Deputy Minister for Planning David K. Akoi officially launched the workshop, stressing the government’s dedication to agricultural growth: “The Ministry of Agriculture is happy to lead these discussions on the COSOP. Today, as we work with IFAD to set a roadmap, we must ensure agriculture delivers a greater impact for our people. I am glad to see nearly all segments of the agriculture sector here, including people living with disabilities. It reassures me that we are taking an inclusive approach to moving this sector from where we are to where we want it to be in 2030.”
The consultation workshop, attended by over 80 participants from government institutions, UN agencies, international NGOs, and the private sector, aims to validate past results and incorporate lessons learned into a comprehensive COSOP 2026–2030, ensuring continued rural transformation and inclusive development in Liberia.