Where Is the US$1B Going?

By Lewis S. Teh

MONROVIA, September 16, 2026 — Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) official Stewart Isaac Doe has challenged the Unity Party-led government to explain how Liberia’s newly announced US$1 billion domestic revenue milestone is translating into improved living conditions and public services for citizens.

Doe, a former Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said increased revenue collection should be measured not only by the amount generated but by its impact on education, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs and other basic services.

His comments followed Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan’s announcement in Harper, Maryland County, that Liberia had crossed the US$1 billion mark in domestic revenue collection for the first time.

In a statement responding to the announcement, Doe accused the government of celebrating increased revenue while many Liberians continue to face economic hardship.

“Unity Party and their arrogance: Plenty money vs. plenty suffering,” Doe said.

“How on earth can a government celebrate plenty money when no one gets to feel the money? How can a father have plenty money and his children are hungry? His children can’t go to school? His children are sick and can’t get medical attention?” he asked.

Doe also questioned how the additional revenue is being spent, citing what he described as inadequate government investment in infrastructure and social programs.

“Unity Party is not building markets, they are not building corporate offices, they are not building pro-poor homes, they are not building parks, they are not building any football academy as they were lying. So where exactly is the money going?” he said.

He further claimed that even supporters of the ruling party are struggling economically, arguing that the revenue milestone means little if ordinary citizens do not see improvements in their daily lives.

Ngafuan announced the US$1 billion milestone during the 17th Founder’s Day program of William V.S. Tubman University in Harper, describing the achievement as an important step toward greater fiscal self-reliance.

Domestic revenue collections stood at approximately US$699 million in 2024 and increased to US$848 million in 2025. By August 18, 2026, collections had reached US$904.7 million before subsequently crossing the US$1 billion threshold.

The government has set a domestic revenue target of US$1.3 billion for 2026 as it seeks to finance a larger share of national expenditure through locally generated resources.

Government officials say increased domestic revenue will provide additional fiscal space for investments in education, healthcare, roads, infrastructure and other national priorities.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has also said the revenue milestone must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Liberians, while calling for accountability in the management of public resources.

The debate over the milestone is now shifting from the amount of revenue collected to how effectively the government uses those resources to improve public services and address the economic challenges facing citizens.