Liberia Welcomes Transparency Int’l Corruption Report -Min. Piah Speaks on CPI Report, Gains in the Energy Sector

Transparency International (TI) on February 11, 2025, released the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) Report which indicates that for the first time in seven years, Liberia climbed two points, from 25 in 2023 to 27 in 2024.

Speaking to journalists during last Thursday’s regular MICAT press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said the Government of Liberia welcomed the report that ranks the country 27th out of 100, zero being the lowest achievement and 100 being the largest.

“This rank reflects a 2-point minimum leap forward,” the Information Minister said at a public function organized by his ministry last week.

“Small as it is, but it is a significant step in our anti-corruption drive. It impacts on our previous position, which was 25 out of 100 in 2023. While recognizing that this is progress, even though very marginal, the Government knows that it is a significant and major step in the right direction. But we also acknowledge that much work still needs to be done, because from 2014 to 2023, the country dropped by 12. The 2024 result now puts the country at the point of 10.”

Minister Piah further noted that the Government of Liberia acknowledges the CPI Report and the constructive caution from the Center for Transparency and Accountability (Liberia) in good faith, and that the Boakai-Koung administration will not be complacent based on the 2-point lead but will do more because there is still a lot to be done.

He said: “We acknowledge that, and we agree that there is a lot to be done. The president and the government will take note of some of the other observations in the report as well as the critical comments made by CENTAL in releasing the report. We do not see these anti-graft institutions as rivals, so from time to time we will pay attention to what they say. We may disagree when they say something we don’t believe is a fact, but we will continue to respect them and value their work because in the end, it benefits the country.”

CENTAL Seeks Reforms

It can be recalled that the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) on February 11, 2025, reported of a slight improvement in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2024, with Liberia climbing from 145th to 141st out of 180 countries and increasing its score from 25 to 27.

According to CENTAL, this marks the first rise in seven years, yet the nation remains one of the worst performers globally, having lost 10 points since 2014.

“While CENTAL acknowledges this progress, it warns that without substantial reforms, the culture of impunity will continue. President Boakai’s administration has suspended some officials, but inconsistencies in tackling corruption raise serious concerns about true commitment to anti-graft measures.

In a press statement, CENTAL Boss Anderson Miamen highlighted that over 90% of Liberians perceive corruption as widespread. He urged the government to adopt a holistic approach to combat corruption and implement recommendations from anti-corruption bodies to restore public trust and enhance effective governance in Liberia.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is an anti-graft tool that scores and ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as assessed by experts and business executives. The CPI generally defines corruption as an “abuse of entrusted power for private gain. The index has been published annually by the non-governmental organization Transparency International since 1995.

Improvements in the Energy Sector

Meanwhile, Minister Piah also used the occasion to inform the nation about developments in the energy sector, which he noted as encouraging.

Regarding Roberts International Airport (RIA) getting access to the National Grid, Minister Piah said the European Union has joined the Government of Liberia and other partners to commission a major energy milestone—the connection of Roberts International Airport (RIA) to the national grid. Through the Liberia Energy Efficiency and Access Project (LEEAP) with 107-million-euro EU contributions, 40,000 Liberians now have access to electricity.

“The project also built 45 km of transmission lines and 980 km of distribution networks, boosting infrastructure and training local energy professionals. This is a huge step toward sustainable energy, economic growth, and a greener future for Liberia!

Minister Piah as well informed the nation that on February 7, 2025, His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai hosted a high-level consultation at the Executive Mansion with the Management team of TRANSCO CLSG and key actors in the energy sector discussed the construction of a 270MW hybrid natural gas and thermal power plant by Genser Energy in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

The discussions centered on Genser Energy’s project proposal being endorsed as a strategic step toward expanding Liberia’s power generation capacity, strengthening grid stability, and fostering economic growth.

The project’s first phase will be implemented within 18 months, producing approximately 120MW. The second phase, which will incorporate a combined steam cycle for enhanced efficiency and greater power output, will bring total capacity to 270MW within an additional twelve months.

The Genser Energy Hybrid Gas Power Plant, once implemented, will reduce Liberia’s dependence on seasonal hydro power and expensive electricity imports, ensuring greater energy independence. The facility will feature cutting-edge cryogenic fuel storage technology and advanced gas turbines, delivering low-emission, cost-effective, and stable power generation.

With regards to the further developments in the energy sector, Minister Piah said the Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung a week ago convened an Energy Sector Retreat in Nimba where all stakeholders and actors in Liberia’s energy transformation were present.

Part of the outcome of the retreat is that the Government of Liberia has made initial investments in LEC which made it possible to have 38 MW thermal machines, fuel storage and fuel transport facilities that even makes it possible for fuel ships to directly off load fuel to LEC fuel storage tanks.

The retreat also recommended that to address the generation problems in the short term, it will be feasible to procure thermal generators to increase available power to LEC.

“This decision will be taken to the President for his consideration. The decision will in no way interfere with ongoing discussions we are having with our partners about investment in renewable energy sources. We will in fact push for mixed generation, for example 100 MW thermal and 100 MW of solar that complement each other,” Minister Piah said.