Liberia: Driving Universal Electrification

The West African nation of Liberia is among the world’s poorest countries. Its two civil wars, in 1989–96 and 1999–2003, devastated most of  its infrastructure, economy, and institutions, leaving the Liberian population in extreme poverty. At the end of the war in 2003, most of the country’s electricity generation, transmission, and distribution assets were destroyed. Liberia was also hit hard by the 2015 Ebola outbreak. Today, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the country’s economic prospects.

Rebuilding power infrastructure in a fragile, post-conflict state

With support from donors, including USAID and the World Bank, the government began rebuilding its electricity infrastructure through the Emergency Power Programs (2006–12). This support led to the installation of high-speed diesel generators and basic transmission and distribution infrastructure to restore power in Monrovia, the capital. The 2015 Electricity Law established the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission as the sector regulator with the authority to issue licenses and set cost-reflective tariffs.

The Bank, prioritizing  the expansion and rehabilitation of transmission and distribution networks, has committed $103 million for three projects in 13 locations throughout the country—consistent with the FY19–24 World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework for Liberia. Bank support enables the electrification of nearly 50 towns and communities in the northern section of Monrovia and two vital economic corridors. To date, more than 24,000 customers have been connected. Beyond Monrovia, more than 51,000 people in remote rural areas have benefited from standalone solar systems, including lanterns and solar home systems.

Given the dispersed nature of settlements beyond Monrovia, the abundance of renewable energy resources, and the cross-border inter-connection opportunities, the government of Liberia is also planning an aggressive electrification campaign using both grid and off-grid options. Harnessing renewable energy potential, however, requires expertise, skills, and investment from the private sector.  Similarly, off-grid options—such as local grids, mini-grids, or standalone systems—will require private sector investment and expertise.  

PPIAF’s contribution

The government requested PPIAF support to develop the National Electrification Strategy, which calls for private participation in the power sector. PPIAF’s work evaluated various electrification access options and shared the findings with the government to support its electrification strategy.

For the National Electrification Analysis , PPIAF relied on geospatial planning to identify least-cost technology options—including grid expansion, community-based mini-grids, and standalone solar systems—that could provide universal access to electricity by 2030 with private sector participation.  PPIAF’s analysis also included implementation schedules, financing requirements, and the capacity of private off-grid service providers.   PPIAF also made recommendations on the roles and responsibilities of key institutions, which will improve government effectiveness in managing the power sector. The National Electrification Strategy will serve as a blueprint for access expansion and a platform to coordinate development partners involved in the power sector. The total costs for electrification access expansion is estimated at $280 million.

Creating impact, spurring development

The Liberian government adopted the National Electrification Strategy in late 2020, confirming its commitment to providing universal access to electricity through grid and off-grid options. PPIAF support also laid the foundation for providing access to electricity in Libera by 2030 and improving the operational efficiency of the country’s power utility, Liberia Electricity Corporation.

The World Bank launched a new energy project in February 2021 based on the work supported by PPIAF—opening the door to greater support from development institutions and donors. The World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Union contribute to projects that expand access to electricity, mainly through grid expansion and densification and off-grid solutions. Other donors, including Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, also support off-grid electrification.

In the coming years, the government plans to launch pilots to further drive electrification with private sector support—for example, in mini-grid implementation and using concessions for standalone systems in remote, rural areas.