Project Case Study
Promoting stability and market development in post-conflict Liberia
Developing stability through market interventions in the agricultural sectors
After emerging from a destructive 14-year civil war in 2003, Liberia remains one of the world’s poorest countries. The war left a legacy of devastated infrastructure, low GDP and a vulnerability to threats of regional instability.
Liberia remains a fragile country, ranking 174th out of 186 on the United Nations Human Development Index in 2013. Additionally, growing inequality and youth unemployment are growing concerns that threaten the long-term stability of Liberia.
Despite these challenges, Liberia possesses substantial potential for economic growth, in particular in its agricultural sector.
Within this context, in 2013 we began a major Sida-funded programme, in collaboration with the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at the development of markets and value chains in agriculture in Liberia. This £14m, 5-year project will follow the M4P approach to promote systemic change in agricultural and associated cross-cutting market systems. Alongside promoting poverty reduction, the programme will focus on interventions that will promote stability and reduce conflict.
The programme will play a key role in generating inclusive and broad-based growth, whilst promoting sustainable peace.
Grow Liberia is also running an internship programme for Liberian graduates, for whom there are very few available private sector employment opportunities, in the hope that they will be able to contribute to sustainable economic growth for the country.
