The objective
Liberia needs growth that creates productive work, stronger businesses and more secure household incomes. The 2022 national census shows how central this challenge is: people aged 15–35 make up a large share of the population, while much of youth economic activity remains concentrated in own-account and family work rather than stable salaried employment.
The Weah 2029 programme would place private-sector job creation, enterprise growth and household purchasing power at the centre of economic policy. Government should create the conditions for Liberians to build businesses, find skilled work and compete fairly—not attempt to replace the private sector.
Programme direction
Priority would be given to a national SME and enterprise programme that reduces unnecessary licensing barriers, expands transparent access to credit and guarantees, and links Liberian firms to procurement opportunities in construction, agriculture, mining, energy and public services. Public investment would be designed to create skills and commercial opportunity alongside the infrastructure itself.
Fiscal discipline and responsible debt management would remain essential. Liberia cannot sustainably improve living standards if inflation, arrears or poorly managed public spending undermine wages and private investment. Public spending should therefore be tied more closely to measurable national priorities, while the independence and professional role of the Central Bank are respected.
A modern one-stop business environment would progressively move registration, tax, licensing and selected government approvals online, reducing time, cost and unnecessary contact points for entrepreneurs.
What success should look like
More Liberians in productive and formal work; stronger domestic firms; easier business formation; wider access to finance; more local participation in major contracts; and public finances that support investment without creating unsustainable debt.
Key Commitments
- Establish a transparent national SME and enterprise-finance framework focused on viable Liberian businesses.
- Tie major public investment programmes to apprenticeships, certified skills development and competitive opportunities for qualified local firms.
- Build a digital one-stop business environment for registration, licensing and selected tax services.
- Publish an annual jobs and enterprise scorecard covering formal employment, business creation, credit access and local procurement.
- Maintain fiscal discipline, responsible debt management and respect for Central Bank independence.