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Liberia's Boakai warns bad loans are blocking credit and economic growth
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has warned that non-performing loans exceeding US$100 million are stifling Liberia’s economic growth by restricting access to credit for farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
At a national conference regarding the resolution of non-performing loans, Boakai noted that unpaid debt causes banks to become overly cautious, making credit more expensive and difficult to obtain. While the system-wide non-performing loan ratio reportedly fell to approximately 12.87% by December 2025, documents suggest this decline was driven by write-offs and restructuring rather than actual repayments.
Data indicates that private sector credit stood at 10.1% of gross domestic product at the end of 2025, significantly lower than the Sub-Saharan African average of 29.4%. Despite high bank liquidity, the credit squeeze persists, with nearly 40% of surveyed Liberian businesses identifying a lack of access to finance as their primary obstacle to growth.
Entities
Central Bank of Liberia · Jeremiah Koung · Joseph Nyuma Boakai · Liberia · Macdella Cooper · Richard Nagbe Koon
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senior Political Advisor Macdella Cooper expressed support for President Boakai’s potential second term in a social media post.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Public appointment is a temporary responsibility and a public trust rather than a reward or entitlement. analystliberiaonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Newly commissioned officials must produce measurable results and serve the Liberian people faithfully. analystliberiaonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Macdella Cooper met with Vice President Jeremiah Koung and House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon.