By Gegee Brima
KIGALI, Rwanda – Liberia has entered into a new governance partnership with Rwanda aimed at strengthening local government institutions, accelerating decentralization and improving access to public services across the country.
The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Liberia’s Ministry of Local Government and the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI), establishing a framework for technical collaboration, institutional development and local economic growth.
Signed under the theme, “Strengthening Local Governance and Decentralization for a Better Liberia,” the agreement is expected to support Liberia’s efforts to build stronger local institutions, expand digital government services and improve the delivery of essential services at the community level.
Deputy Minister for Local Government and Decentralization Edward K. Mulbah signed the agreement on behalf of Minister F. Sakila Nyumalin Sr. The signing ceremony brought together Rwandan government representatives, United Nations officials, Liberian delegates and members of the media.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the minister, Mulbah described the agreement as an important opportunity for Liberia to benefit from Rwanda’s experience in rebuilding state institutions, strengthening public administration and restoring citizens’ confidence in government.
He observed that both countries have experienced devastating national crises, with Rwanda emerging from the 1994 genocide and Liberia from 14 years of civil conflict.
According to Mulbah, Rwanda’s progress in institutional development, public-sector discipline and human capital investment offers valuable experiences that Liberia can consider as it advances its own decentralization agenda.
He specifically referenced Rwanda’s Imihigo performance-based governance system, Umuganda community participation initiative and Irembo digital service platform as examples of practices that could inform Liberia’s institutional reforms.
Mulbah also emphasized the importance of Liberia’s Local Government Act of 2018, which establishes the legal foundation for transferring administrative authority, responsibilities and resources to local governments.
However, he cautioned that the existence of a legal framework alone would not guarantee effective decentralization, stressing the need for capable institutions, adequate resources and practical implementation.
The agreement identifies three principal areas of collaboration: technical knowledge exchange, institutional capacity development and improved public service delivery.
As part of the technical cooperation component, Liberia and Rwanda will organize study visits, professional exchanges and knowledge-sharing activities focusing on governance systems, public administration and digital transformation.
Mulbah disclosed that a 28-member Liberian delegation drawn from five ministries, agencies and commissions had traveled to Rwanda approximately 20 days before the agreement was signed.
During the visit, the delegation examined Rwanda’s approaches to local administration, sanitation, citizen participation and public service delivery, including the Irembo electronic platform, which enables citizens to access government services digitally.
He said the knowledge acquired would be assessed and adapted to Liberia’s local realities, with the objective of improving governance at county and community levels.
On institutional development, the agreement provides for cooperation between Rwanda’s Management Institute and Liberia’s proposed Local Government Training Institute.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the professional skills of local government officials through specialized training, technical assistance and institutional exchanges.
Areas of interest include performance monitoring, local revenue mobilization, community participation, sanitation administration and the use of technology in public administration.
The two countries will also work toward improving service delivery through Liberia’s County Service Centers by developing a digital service framework suited to the country’s existing laws, institutional structures and technological capacity.
This initiative will include identifying essential government services for digitization, strengthening coordination among public institutions and equipping local personnel with the necessary skills to serve citizens more efficiently.
The agreement further seeks to improve the integration of government services at County Service Centers, reducing barriers that prevent citizens from accessing public institutions and essential services.
Beyond administrative reforms, the partnership will explore opportunities for economic development at the local level, particularly in Liberia’s mining, forestry and agricultural industries.
The two sides intend to exchange experiences on adding value to natural resources through local processing, manufacturing and commercialization, including gold and agricultural products.
Additional areas of collaboration include attracting private investment, developing public-private partnerships, promoting entrepreneurship, transferring technology, creating employment opportunities and strengthening local revenue generation.
Environmental sustainability and responsible management of natural resources will also form part of the cooperation framework.
Mulbah stressed that Liberia must develop its own approach to decentralization rather than directly reproduce Rwanda’s governance model.
“Based on the learning from here, we will adapt, not to photocopy, because Liberia is not Rwanda. We have our own Constitution, our own customary law, and our own customs and traditions,” he stated.
He referenced Articles 5 and 65 of Liberia’s Constitution, emphasizing the need to protect the country’s cultural identity while ensuring that customary practices and statutory laws complement one another.
The deputy minister expressed confidence that the partnership could accelerate technology transfer, strengthen institutional performance, promote fiscal decentralization and improve the mobilization of domestic resources.
He further noted that effective implementation could generate broader benefits, including improved workforce development, job creation, economic diversification, increased government revenue and sustainable national development.
While describing the agreement as a significant development in Liberia’s decentralization process, Mulbah emphasized that its real success would be determined by tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
He commended Rwanda’s Ministry of Local Government, the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative and other participating institutions for their commitment to the partnership.
He also recognized the continued support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia and called on relevant Liberian institutions to maintain close engagement with their Rwandan counterparts to ensure that the agreement produces measurable outcomes.
The agreement represents another step in Liberia’s efforts to translate the 2018 Local Government Act into practical reforms, with a focus on empowering local authorities and bringing government services closer to communities.
However, its impact will ultimately depend on effective implementation, sustained political commitment and the availability of adequate financial and institutional support.
