Liberia and Rwanda Sign Five-Year Deal to Bring Services Closer to Citizens
The Rwanda Cooperation and Liberia’s Ministry of Local Government have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen local governance and decentralisation, with a focus on improving public service delivery across Liberia’s 15 counties.
Signed on 10 November 2026 at Rwanda Cooperation’s offices in Kigali, the agreement establishes a framework for technical cooperation, institutional capacity development and the exchange of practical experiences between the two countries.
The MoU was signed by Hon. Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Local Government and Decentralization, on behalf of Liberia’s Minister of Local Government, Hon. Francis Sakila Nyumalin Sr., and Richard Niwenshuti, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Cooperation. Rwanda’s Minister of Local Government, Hon. Dominique Habimana, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Ms. Christine N. Umutoni, witnessed the ceremony.
From left to right Hon. Dominique Habimana, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia Christine Umutoni, Hon. Edward K. Mulbah and Richard Niwenshuti at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding
Areas of cooperation
The partnership will focus on five areas: digital transformation of Liberia’s 15 County Service Centers, fiscal decentralisation and domestic resource mobilisation, natural resource value addition and local economic development, institutional partnerships, and strengthening local government capacity.
Drawing on Rwanda’s experience with IREMBO, the two countries will explore ways to modernise service delivery through digital systems, supported by institutional assessments, priority interventions and pilot initiatives in selected counties. Cooperation will also cover local revenue administration, tax registries and improved revenue collection systems.
In addition, Rwanda’s experience in institutional capacity development will inform cooperation between the Rwanda Management Institute and Liberia’s Local Government Training Institute, including technical support, training and knowledge exchange. Rwanda is expected to participate in the Institute’s launch in the first quarter of 2027.
Building on an established partnership
The agreement builds on years of engagement between the two countries. Between November 2018 and June 2026, Rwanda Cooperation hosted 22 delegations from Liberia, comprising 139 delegates. Their exchanges covered land administration, tax administration, public finance management, procurement, digital public services, investment promotion and institutional development.
The most recent exchange brought a 28-member Liberian delegation, led by Deputy Minister Mulbah, to Rwanda. The delegation visited institutions in Kigali and other districts to learn from Rwanda’s approaches to digital service delivery, local governance and community participation.
Speaking at the signing, Richard Niwenshuti reaffirmed Rwanda Cooperation’s commitment to translating this longstanding engagement into practical results.
“Solutions will be co-created and adapted to Liberia’s context, not copied and pasted,” he said, emphasising institutional ownership and mutual benefit as guiding principles of the partnership.
CEO of Rwanda Cooperation Richard Niwenshuti at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding
A partnership grounded in mutual learning
In his remarks, Deputy Minister Mulbah described the agreement as a commitment to translate institutional learning into improved services for citizens. Referring to Liberia’s Local Government Act of 2018, he noted that effective decentralisation requires more than transferring authority and resources to local governments; it requires the capacity and systems to deliver services at community level.
He also underscored the importance of adapting lessons to Liberia’s constitutional, legal and cultural context, stating: “We will adapt, not photocopy, because Liberia is not Rwanda.”
Hon. Edward K. Mulbah at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding
Ms. Umutoni highlighted the partnership’s contribution to stronger institutions and African-led development, linking it to Sustainable Development Goals 16 and 17 on effective institutions and global partnerships. She also encouraged both countries to maintain a strong focus on implementation and measurable results.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia Christine Umutoni at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding
From agreement to implementation
The MoU takes effect upon signing and will remain in force for five years. Each party will appoint a focal person within 30 days, while a joint implementation plan is expected within 90 days. A Joint Coordination Committee will oversee implementation and meet at least twice a year.
Rwanda’s Minister of Local Government, Hon. Dominique Habimana, described the agreement as an important milestone in strengthening the longstanding partnership between Rwanda and Liberia. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to sharing experiences and strengthening institutional cooperation in local governance and public service delivery. Emphasising the importance of mutual learning, he stated: “Cooperation is most meaningful when it is based on mutual respect, openness and a willingness to learn from each other” Hon Minister Dominique Habimana Minister of Local Government
The Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Rwanda is Dominique Habimana at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding
Through this partnership, Rwanda and Liberia aim to strengthen institutional capacity, advance decentralised service delivery and support locally owned development solutions. Its success will ultimately be measured by the improvements citizens experience in accessing public services across Liberia.
A group picture of the attending delegates at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding