MONROVIA, Liberia: February 13, 2026 — Infrastructure has returned to the canter of Liberia’s political conversation, as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf publicly endorsed what she described as the rapid pace of development under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Speaking on the radio program “Changing Minds, Changing Attitudes,” hosted by Laurence Konmla Bropleh on the Liberia Broadcasting System (ELBC), the former head of state framed the administration’s infrastructure strategy as both economically strategic and nationally consequential.
Roads as Economic Arteries
Rather than offering general commendation, Madam Sirleaf pointed to specific corridors that, in her assessment, demonstrate tangible progress. She highlighted ongoing works along the Lofa County road corridor, multiple projects in south-eastern Liberia, and the construction of the St. Paul River Bridge linking Bo Waterside to adjacent communities.
These initiatives, she argued, are not merely cosmetic upgrades but structural investments in national connectivity. Improved road networks reduce transport costs, expand market access for rural producers, and accelerate cross-border and domestic trade. In a country where infrastructure gaps have historically constrained growth, road development functions as a macroeconomic catalyst.
Urban Pressure Points
The former president also turned attention to the capital, Monrovia, where rapid urbanization continues to strain transportation systems. She cited the rehabilitation of Tubman Boulevard and the Jallah Town Road project as targeted interventions designed to reduce chronic congestion and improve mobility within key commercial zones.
Her remarks suggest recognition that infrastructure reform must operate on two fronts: rural connectivity and urban efficiency.
A Caution on Unregulated Expansion
While praising the administration’s construction momentum, Madam Sirleaf introduced a note of caution—particularly regarding the proliferation of religious structures nationwide. She warned that the unchecked construction of churches and mosques, absent compliance with zoning laws and urban planning frameworks, could undermine orderly development and pose safety risks.
Her intervention shifts the infrastructure debate beyond roads and bridges to governance and regulation. Physical development, she implied, must be matched by institutional discipline.
Political Signal and Policy Implications
Sirleaf’s endorsement carries symbolic weight. As a former president commenting on her successor’s agenda, her assessment reinforces bipartisan acknowledgment of infrastructure as a national priority. At the same time, her warning on zoning compliance underscores that development without regulation can produce long-term structural challenges.
As the Boakai administration advances its public works agenda, the emerging question is not only how quickly projects can be delivered—but whether growth will be managed within a coherent planning architecture capable of sustaining long-term national transformation.
