Liberia Concludes Successful Hosting of ARMFA 22nd Annual General Assembly Liberia has successfully concluded the 22nd Annual General Assembly of the Africa Road Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA), a landmark week-long conference that convened over 300 delegates from 35 African nations. Held from November 17 to 21 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, the assembly focused on innovative financing mechanisms and the development of sustainable, climate-resilient road infrastructure across the continent.
The gathering opened with remarks from senior Liberian officials and ARMFA leadership, setting the tone for a robust and forward-looking dialogue. Mrs. Joseta Neufville Wento, Manager of Liberia’s National Road Fund, delivered the opening address, outlining Liberia’s strategic vision for enhancing transparency and accountability in road sector financing.“Liberia is determined to position itself as a model for transparent and accountable road financing,” Wento declared. She emphasized the country’s commitment to adopting best practices in road maintenance and infrastructure management.
Her remarks energized delegates and laid the foundation for a week of engagement that combined technical expertise with policy-driven discussions.Following her address, ARMFA President Essaie Moussa Aubin delivered a powerful keynote statement emphasizing the urgency of reforming road financing frameworks to respond to Africa’s evolving development challenges. “We must adopt innovative funding mechanisms to ensure Africa’s roads remain resilient in the face of climate change and mobility challenges,” Aubin asserted. He commended Liberia for its leadership in hosting the assembly and reaffirmed ARMFA’s commitment to strengthening cross-border cooperation for sustainable development.
Throughout the week, delegates participated in a series of technical sessions, workshops, and high-level panel discussions. Key themes included road fund governance reforms, climate adaptation strategies, public-private partnerships, and emerging technologies in road construction and maintenance. Exhibitions on the margins of the assembly showcased advanced road engineering tools and financing innovations aimed at improving infrastructure resilience.Representatives from Liberia’s Ministry of Finance and Development Planning reaffirmed the government’s unwavering dedication to building and maintaining durable road networks as essential drivers of economic transformation. Their contributions ensured that the conference maintained a strong connection between theoretical insights and real-world implementation.
The assembly concluded on November 21 with the adoption of several resolutions aimed at strengthening climate-resilient road infrastructure and expanding innovative financing models across the continent. Delegates reiterated the importance of sustained political will, institutional accountability, and regional collaboration in securing the future of Africa’s road systems.Liberia’s National Road Fund, under the leadership of Mrs. Wento, received widespread commendation for its organizational excellence, transparency, and effective coordination throughout the week-long event. Many delegates praised Liberia’s hospitality and its readiness to play a more influential role in continental infrastructure dialogue and policy implementation.
Hosting the 22nd ARMFA Annual General Assembly significantly elevated Liberia’s standing within the regional organization and highlighted its growing leadership in road sector financing. The event will be remembered not only for its rich technical outcomes, but also for the visionary voices that shaped the discussions from Wento’s emphatic call for accountability to President Aubin’s appeal for innovation, resilience, and unity.As delegates departed Monrovia, they carried with them a renewed sense of commitment to improving road networks across Africa, guided by the shared belief that robust, well-financed roads remain the backbone of economic development and regional integration.
