By Pamela Largue
The government of Liberia and African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed financing agreements for two projects valued over $33 million. The two projects include the Renewable Energy for Electrification of Liberia (REEL Project) and Support to Investment Promotion Agencies in Transition Countries.
According to the agreement, the REEL Project is expected to be implemented over a four-year period and includes the development of a 9.34-MW hydropower plant on the Gbedin Falls on the St. John River in Nimba County.
The small hydro project will serve as a source of reliable, sustainable and affordable power in the region. It will also enable expansion of the power grid to isolated localities and remote areas, encouraging the connection of more households, schools, health centers, businesses and industries to the national grid.
Besides increased access to electricity, the agreement will foster the increased use of renewable energy sources; improved annual electricity generation; increased access to reliable electricity; contribution to the reduction of electricity generation cost; reducing fossil energy consumption; and job creation as expected outcomes of the project.
The “Support to Investment Promotion Agencies in Transition Countries Project” part of the agreement is supported by AfDB under its “ADF-14 Transition Support Facility (TSF)” and is valued at $1 million. This will be implemented over the course of three years and will support the government of Liberia’s efforts to improve the business environment and investment climate.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Hon. Samuel D. Tweah Jr. lauded AfDB for supporting the government’s development agenda. He added that the bank’s support to the administration of President Weah remains strong.
Tweah also revealed that the AfDB continues to be a key player in electricity, roads, governance and other sectors of the country. He praised the bank for passing the Country Paper for Liberia and disclosed that the paper — which focuses on roads, energy, and agriculture — will see the country moving in the right direction.
