The Liberian government has launched the "Governance Reform & Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project," a $30 million initiative funded by the World Bank to improve public services, boost tax revenue collection, and enhance government transparency. The six-year project, set to conclude by November 2030, seeks to modernize key institutions and address governance challenges.

Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan inaugurated the project on March 20, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. Funded through the World Bank’s International Development (ID) Credit Program, it will be implemented across nine government agencies, including the Civil Service Agency, Liberia Revenue Authority, and Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Industry, Education, and Health.

Ngafuan emphasized that the project will expand digital access to government services, streamline tax and procurement processes, and integrate government platforms through a centralized digital infrastructure at the National Data Center. The initiative will also introduce a Value-Added Tax (VAT) system, expand property tax collection, and build capacity among civil servants to ensure sustainability.

The project’s funding is allocated as follows:

Unlike conventional donor-funded initiatives, the GREAT Project prioritizes government ownership, with civil servants leading implementation. The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will oversee the project, supported by a Project Implementation Team (PIT) responsible for monitoring progress and knowledge transfer.

Acting World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Oyewole Afuye, praised the government’s leadership, noting that the project addresses weak service delivery, low domestic revenue mobilization, and limited accountability. He highlighted its alignment with Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and its potential to drive meaningful governance improvements.

"This initiative is a major step toward fiscal stability and governance efficiency," Afuye stated. "By strengthening institutional capacity, we are ensuring long-term reform."

Civil Service Agency Director-General Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. underscored the project’s significance in reforming Liberia’s public sector.

"This is more than just an initiative; it is a transformative shift in governance," Joekai remarked. "We are committed to ensuring these reforms are effectively implemented and sustained."

With continued collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and civil society, the GREAT Project aims to establish a more transparent, efficient, and accountable government, ultimately benefiting all Liberians, particularly those in remote areas.