MONROVIA, LIBERIA The Managing Director of Liberia’s Rural and Renewable Energy Agency, Hon. Samuel Nagbe, has requested an allocation of US$22.75 million for fiscal year 2027 to support the agency’s rural electrification and renewable energy development agenda.
Hon. Nagbe made the request during the national budget hearing at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, where government institutions are presenting their funding requirements for the next fiscal year.
The proposed allocation comes as the agency continues to implement renewable energy projects aimed at expanding electricity access in rural communities, particularly in areas underserved by the national power grid.
During fiscal year 2026, the government allocated approximately US$6.135 million to the agency through the Public Sector Investment Project framework.
The agency’s major initiatives include the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project, the Light-Up South-East Project, and the Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia initiative.
One of the flagship investments is the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project in Lofa County, which includes a solar power plant, battery storage facilities, a backup generator, and more than 350 kilometres of electricity distribution lines.
The project is intended to improve electricity access for communities across the county through a combination of renewable energy infrastructure and distribution networks.
In southeastern Liberia, the Light-Up South-East Project is designed to expand electricity access through a proposed two-megawatt mini-hydropower plant on the Sinoe River Rapids in Greenville, alongside solar power and battery storage systems.
The initiative aims to connect more than 4,300 homes and businesses.
The agency is also supporting off-grid solar access through the Liberia Solar Home System Results-Based Financing programme, implemented in partnership with Energising Development, known as EnDev, and BRAC Liberia.
The programme provides financial incentives intended to make solar products more affordable for low-income households, particularly in rural areas.
Other initiatives include the development of the River Gee Hydropower Project and the national streetlighting programme.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS SUPPORT MAJOR PROJECTS
The agency’s renewable energy portfolio relies significantly on support from international development partners.
The Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project has been associated with US$25 million in World Bank grant financing and a US$2 million loan from the International Development Association.
Meanwhile, the Light-Up South-East initiative has received support through a reported €43 million grant from the European Union, alongside US$3.5 million in government funding.
These partnerships are intended to mobilise the resources required to develop infrastructure that would otherwise be difficult to finance through the national budget alone.
FOCUS TURNS TO 2027 AND BEYOND
The agency’s proposed US$22.75 million allocation for fiscal year 2027 comes as Liberia seeks to strengthen its renewable energy sector and expand electricity access beyond major urban centres.
Its forward-looking priorities include strategic planning for 2027 to 2031, further development of renewable energy infrastructure, and efforts to attract additional investment into the sector.
The proposed allocation represents a significant increase over the agency’s reported US$6.135 million Public Sector Investment Project allocation for 2026.
However, the final amount to be approved will depend on the national budget process.
For communities across Liberia, the central question remains whether increased investment will translate into reliable and affordable electricity, particularly in rural areas where access remains limited.
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