Bong County has become the latest region to join the Central Bank of Liberia’s (CBL) nationwide financial education campaign, following a dynamic three-day event in Gbarnga that brought together local leaders, youth, women’s groups, and business owners.
The launch also featured the promotion of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a game-changing initiative for cross-border trade in Africa.
According to a CBL press release issued on August 6, 2025, the event “was climaxed at the Administrative Building in Gbarnga,” with more than 400 participants attending a series of cultural performances, interactive lectures, and training workshops.
Grassroots Financial Education Kicks Off
Thirteen participants completed an intensive “training of trainers” workshop over two days, receiving certificates during the launch ceremony. These community trainers are now set to spread financial education to villages, churches, farms, markets, and schools throughout Bong County.
“Gbarnga is not Bong County,” said Maraline Tokpa Jawo, Human Resource Manager in the Office of the Bong County Superintendent, during the launch. “Our people in the districts deserve the same information. I want to charge those who have been trained to seize every opportunity so all of us can be informed and able to save. Education is power – let’s use it.”
The CBL emphasized that these newly trained individuals will form “the backbone of a grassroots campaign aimed at empowering people to make smarter money decisions – budgeting, saving, and investing, among others, good financial choices.”
Community Ownership and Endorsements
The campaign drew enthusiastic support from a broad spectrum of the county’s leadership and citizens. “These are your own children who have been trained to equip you with financial education,” said Cllr. P. Alphonsus Zeon, CBL’s Communications Director and chair of the Financial Education Working Group. “We want you to cooperate with them as they roll out Financial Education in your communities.”
One trainee, Joseph Kollie, pledged to begin his financial education outreach in his church, stating, “The church will be where I will start teaching people how to manage their income.”
Cultural and grassroots engagement also played a major role in the event’s success.
Liberia’s Arts and Cultural Ambassador, Kerkura Kamara, organized soccer matches and revived the Bong County culture troupe for a vibrant performance. He pledged his office’s ongoing support to mobilize community participation.
Meanwhile, local leaders offered strong endorsements. Matthew D. Kollie of the Village Savings and Loan Association said his organization would integrate FinEd lessons into its programs. Lydia Zeze, head of the Bong County rural women, called the campaign “a great opportunity for women to learn how to manage money for the benefit of their families.”
The Bong County Motorcyclist Union also hailed the initiative. “The FinEd program is a light for our members,” said Abraham O. Kollie, the union’s coordinator.
Highlighting PAPSS for Cross-Border Commerce
A major component of the campaign is the introduction of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). As noted in the CBL press release, PAPSS is “a revolutionary platform that allows businesses and individuals to send and receive payments across African countries instantly and securely, in local currencies.”
The CBL emphasized the platform’s importance for rural traders and entrepreneurs who previously faced high fees and currency exchange challenges. “For rural entrepreneurs, this means easier access to regional markets without the high costs and delays of traditional money transfers,” the statement noted.
Part of a Nationwide Effort
The Bong County launch follows similar rollouts in Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba counties. According to the CBL, each launch strengthens its broader agenda for financial inclusion, with a focus on ensuring that “no Liberian, whether in the city or a remote village, is left behind in the journey toward economic empowerment.”
As the campaign continues across Liberia, the Central Bank is pairing education with innovation. “By coupling financial education with modern payment systems like PAPSS,” the press release concluded, “the Central Bank is building a future where Liberians are not only financially literate but also fully connected to the African and global economy.”
