The Liberian Senate has instructed the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct an immediate audit into the alleged mismanagement of US$200 million in World Bank–funded agriculture initiatives.
During its plenary session on Tuesday, Senators approved a motion directing the Senate Secretary to communicate this order to the GAC, demanding a comprehensive financial and operational review of the projects.
The call for oversight was renewed by Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill, who first raised concerns on March 13, 2025. Senator McGill emphasized that transparency in fund allocation and management is essential to ensure these programs improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and strengthen Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The US$200 million under review supports two major initiatives: the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP).
Launched with support from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), STAR-P addresses market gaps in key value chains such as rice, oil palm, and horticulture. Its goal is to boost productivity among smallholder farmers and help them commercialize their produce by linking them to private agribusinesses.
The project rests on three pillars: institutional strengthening, productivity enhancement, and creating a more enabling environment for farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
Funded with US$25 million from the World Bank’s IDA credit and US$23 million from IFAD, STAR-P now covers all 15 counties, targeting roughly 38,000 smallholder farmers-at least 30% of whom are women.
The MOA oversees implementation through a Project Implementation Unit (PIU), tracking progress via key indicators such as yields, sales volumes, and the number of direct beneficiaries.
Additionally, the World Bank in 2021, RETRAP aims to transform rural economies by enhancing productivity and market access for smallholder farmers and agri-enterprises. It complements STAR-P by focusing on cassava, rubber, poultry, and pig production.
RETRAP also invests in rural infrastructure, including roads and markets, and strengthens institutional capacity across government ministries, research institutions, and private-sector agribusinesses.
The project provides matching grants to help small enterprises scale up processing and value addition. RETRAP currently operates in 11 counties, targeting tens of thousands of rural households, with a strong focus on gender inclusion.
Senator McGill expressed concern that, despite substantial funding, it remains unclear how much money has reached its intended beneficiaries or whether it has been used as intended.
He stressed that robust financial scrutiny is essential to prevent inefficiencies that could undermine the projects’ goals of raising farmer incomes, building agribusiness capacity, and strengthening rural economies.
World Bank and MOA Response
In response to oversight concerns, the MOA and the World Bank recently conducted a joint field supervision mission for STAR-P, auditing financial management, procurement practices, and environmental safeguards. RETRAP is also undergoing field monitoring to assess infrastructure upgrades and agribusiness outcomes.
The World Bank has approved additional financing for RETRAP, including a US$76 million credit to expand rural road infrastructure and market connectivity.
If executed, the audit could reveal discrepancies or inefficiencies in fund management, prompting corrective measures to protect public resources. The Senate’s directive reflects growing legislative vigilance over donor-funded projects with significant socio-economic impact.
For smallholder farmers, the audit could reinforce confidence that their support is being effectively managed and used for its intended purpose.
