The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has accused President Joseph Boakai’s administration of misleading the Liberian public with what it describes as a “Parade of Investment Deception.” The critique comes in response to Boakai’s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), which the CDC alleges was filled with hollow claims of economic progress.
The CDC criticized the administration for failing to attract significant foreign direct investment (FDI) or improve the country’s business climate in 2024. Instead, they contend, the government has engaged in “investment by showmanship,” announcing deals and projects that lack substance or follow-through.
“The real challenge Liberia faces is reforming its business and investment environment,” the CDC said. “Investments thrive on trust and the rule of law—not on political theater or ignoring Supreme Court rulings.”
A significant point of contention is the much-publicized partnership with HPX and Guma Africa Group, announced in February 2024. Touted as a $3-5 billion initiative to develop the Liberty Corridor, the CDC claims the deal has yet to yield any tangible results.
The opposition also revisited what they call the “yellow machine saga.” In July 2024, the government paraded 285 earth-moving machines through Monrovia, branding it a key milestone under the ARREST Agenda. However, according to the CDC, the equipment—allegedly valued at $80 million—was worth only $20 million, with the rest reportedly siphoned off as kickbacks. They further argued there was no formal contract underpinning the display, dismissing it as a publicity stunt.
The administration also drew fire for its transportation initiative. In June 2024, the government unveiled two buses from Brazilian manufacturer Marcopolo as a pilot for a fleet of 300 promised buses. The CDC has since labeled the promise another “empty spectacle,” as the additional buses failed to materialize within the promised 40-day window.
The opposition likewise cast doubt on a September announcement of a $3 billion oil refinery project in Buchanan. While the administration highlighted the deal as a triumph of its foreign policy, the CDC claims the details were exaggerated, alleging the actual benefits amounted to less than $30 million in grants.
One of the most glaring criticisms surrounds the administration’s announcement in December 2024 of a $500 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The CDC noted that hours after the announcement, the MCC released a statement denying any such grant, calling it a deliberate misrepresentation by the Boakai government.
“Liberia witnessed another episode in this administration’s ongoing theater of deception,” the CDC said. “The Unity Party has mastered the art of inflating modest gains into false narratives of success to distract from poor governance and a lack of progress.”
The CDC concluded its critique by asserting that the Boakai administration’s reliance on misinformation has eroded its credibility. “This government has deceived its way into power, but it now finds itself trapped by its own fabrications,” the statement read.