By Davida Spaine-Solomon
Freetown, 25th May, 2026 – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has launched the US$85 million Voinjama–Mendikorma road upgrade project in Lofa County, describing the initiative as a transformative infrastructure investment aimed at boosting regional trade, improving connectivity, and accelerating development along the Liberia–Sierra Leone border corridor.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Saturday at the Mendikorma Border Post in northern Liberia, officially commenced construction of the 86-kilometre highway under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) concession agreement between the Government of Liberia and Pavifort AL Associates.
Implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the project is expected to strengthen transportation links between Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea within the Mano River Union corridor while opening access to remote communities in Lofa County.
Addressing government officials, lawmakers, traditional leaders, and residents, President Boakai described the project as a historic turning point for communities that have long struggled with poor road infrastructure.
Reflecting on his childhood experiences in the region, the Liberian leader recalled travelling for days through difficult terrain before the construction of modern roads.
“It takes history to know what it means to have a road. As a young boy, I walked through these areas for days. Our people suffered greatly because there were no roads,” he said.
Boakai said the highway would improve access to healthcare, education, trade, and investment opportunities while strengthening social and economic ties across the region.
“This road will open up the country to development, education, healthcare, and business opportunities. It will unite families, strengthen trade, and improve the lives of our people,” he stated.
The President also highlighted the strategic importance of the Voinjama–Mendikorma corridor, describing Lofa County and neighbouring border regions as a “growth triangle” connecting Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
He acknowledged the role of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio in facilitating the partnership with Pavifort AL Associates.
“One day, he called me and said, ‘My brother, we have a company in Sierra Leone called Pavifort AL Associates that is constructing quality roads and could work with you,’” Boakai revealed.
He said Liberia’s Ministry of Public Works conducted due diligence on previous projects executed by Pavifort before awarding the contract and expressed confidence in the company’s capacity to deliver quality work.
Boakai further assured the contractor of government and community support throughout the implementation period and stressed that his administration remains focused on development rather than politics.
“We are not concerned about politics; we are concerned about what we do for our country. Development means access to quality roads, schools, healthcare, water, and opportunities,” he declared.
Providing a technical overview of the project, Deputy Minister for Technical Services at Liberia’s Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Prince D. Tambah Sr., said the highway would run from Voinjama through Kolahun and Foya to Mendikorma on the Sierra Leone border.
He said that construction would be completed over a three-year period, with delivery expected in 2029.
Tambah Sr. said the project includes: A 10.3-metre carriageway in rural sections, expanded 20.6-metre urban sections with parking lanes, construction and rehabilitation of five major bridges, installation of more than 262 culverts and drainage systems, modern road safety infrastructure and signage, upgrading Foya City to Class A urban road standards with sidewalks, drainage systems, and streetlights.
He said the project is expected to reduce travel time between Voinjama and Mendikorma from approximately two-and-a-half hours to one hour and fifteen minutes.
Tambah Sr. added that the concession agreement, signed on January 5, 2026, established a 25-year PPP arrangement covering the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual transfer of the road to government ownership.
He noted that Lofa County currently has approximately 1,662 kilometres of road network, but only about 60 kilometres are paved. The new project, he said, would significantly improve accessibility and economic mobility across the county.
Chief Executive Officer of Pavifort AL Associates, Alimou Sanu Barrie, assured the Liberian government of the company’s commitment to delivering a durable and high-quality highway.
“We are honored by the trust placed in us by the Government of Liberia. Every kilometre of this road will reflect durability, safety, and environmental responsibility,” he said.
Barrie also acknowledged support from financial partners, including United Bank for Africa Liberia and African Export-Import Bank.
Representing Sierra Leone’s Embassy in Liberia, Witson Tebeh Yankuba Esq. described the project as a major milestone in Liberia–Sierra Leone relations and reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional infrastructure cooperation and cross-border trade.
Liberia’s Minister of Public Works, Hon. Roland L. Giddings, said the project would unlock economic opportunities in Lofa County, particularly for farmers who have struggled for years with poor market access due to inadequate roads.
He also announced plans for additional infrastructure development, including the proposed Salayea–Voinjama corridor aimed at further linking northern Liberia to Monrovia through paved highways.
Chairman of the Lofa Legislative Caucus, Hon. Joseph K. Jallah, described the project as a historic breakthrough for residents of Lofa County, while Deputy Speaker Hon. Thomas P. Fallah called it a “dream fulfilled.”
Minister of Local Government, Hon. Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr., said the project represents a significant step in Liberia’s post-war recovery and development agenda.
Once completed, the Voinjama–Mendikorma highway is expected to strengthen regional integration, improve transportation efficiency, boost trade, and enhance economic cooperation among Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea under the Mano River Union framework.
