Monrovia City Mayor Hon. John Charuk Siafa has lauded the representation of Liberia’s capital at the Local Government Property Tax Conference 2025, describing it as a milestone in the city’s ongoing drive to strengthen local governance and fiscal sustainability.
The conference, held in Cotonou, Benin, from October 28–29, 2025, brought together local government leaders, tax administrators, and fiscal policy experts from across the African continent. Co-hosted by the Local Government Revenue Initiative (LoGRI), the African School of Economics, and Benin’s Directorate General of Taxation, the two-day event focused on improving property tax systems, enhancing compliance, and building public trust in local revenue management.
Representing the Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) was Mr. Caine Prince Andrew, Director General of the corporation’s Economic Management Directorate, who joined delegates in exploring modern frameworks for municipal taxation and revenue reform.
Mayor Siafa, in a statement issued in Monrovia, commended Mr. Andrew for his active engagement and knowledge exchange during the high-level discussions, emphasizing that his participation reinforces Monrovia’s commitment to fiscal innovation and transparency.
“Mr. Andrew’s involvement in this international dialogue demonstrates the City Government’s strong alignment with the AAREST Agenda and the Strategic Plan for Municipal Revenue Growth,” Mayor Siafa said. “These frameworks guide our efforts to ensure sustainable urban financing, better service delivery, and equitable infrastructure development for all Monrovians.”
The mayor underscored that strengthening Monrovia’s property tax administration is not only about revenue collection but also about fostering public confidence in local governance. He explained that efficient and transparent tax systems are essential for delivering essential city services such as sanitation, street lighting, drainage, and community infrastructure.
According to Mayor Siafa, the lessons learned from Cotonou will play a key role in shaping Monrovia’s forthcoming fiscal reforms, especially in developing a more data-driven and citizen-oriented approach to property valuation and tax compliance. “This engagement opens a new chapter in our collective pursuit of a modern, resilient, and prosperous capital city,” he added.
The Monrovia City Corporation has in recent years intensified efforts to broaden its local revenue base through innovation and collaboration with development partners. These include the introduction of digital platforms for property mapping, taxpayer registration, and online payment systems aimed at reducing leakages and improving efficiency.
At the Cotonou conference, participants also examined strategies for decentralizing fiscal authority and ensuring that local governments retain a fair share of revenue to reinvest in communities. Discussions further explored how cities can leverage technology to strengthen tax compliance, enhance data integrity, and make municipal finance more responsive to citizens’ needs.
Mayor Siafa reaffirmed Monrovia’s commitment to deepening cooperation with regional and international institutions such as LoGRI and the African School of Economics to advance urban governance and revenue mobilization across Liberia.
“As cities across Africa grapple with rapid urbanization, sustainable local financing is crucial,” the mayor concluded. “Monrovia is ready to lead by example—building a smarter, financially stronger city that works for all its people.”
