At the global level, MSM’s account for 90% of all businesses, more than 70% of employment, and half of global GDP. You shape Liberia’s economy and impact the everyday life of all Liberians.
PHOTO: Georgia Wallen, World Bank Country Manager in Liberia
Remarks by World Bank Country Manager, Georgia Wallen
Liberia MSME Conference 2024
December 10, 2024
Your Excellency President Boakai,
Honorable Madam Acting Minister of Commerce and Industry,
Honorable Members of the Cabinet, Distinguished Officials of the GOL,
Esteemed Partners, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you for the opportunity to join you this morning. On behalf of the World Bank, I would recognize the vision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in reviving this annual National MSME Conference. This year’s event is timely – as is the theme “From Vision to Implementation – Think Liberia, Buy Liberian, and Build Liberia”.
More than ever before, this is a moment for the entrepreneurs of Liberia to rise. Today I would like to especially address Liberia’s vibrant and dynamic MSMEs representatives. I want to begin by heartily congratulating you for being a risk taker and an entrepreneur. You play a critical and essential role in Liberia’s economy… and your growth, productivity, and profitability are integral to a more prosperous future for Liberia. At the global level, MSM’s account for 90% of all businesses, more than 70% of employment, and half of global GDP. You shape Liberia’s economy and impact the everyday life of all Liberians.
I would like to highlight a few quick points: (i) why this moment matters; (ii) why this gathering matters; and (iii) and how the World Bank is helping to advance the MSME agenda in Liberia.
First, why does this moment matter? The new ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) sets out ambitious national goals and roadmap to step up Liberia’s growth and development in the five years remaining to the target date of Liberia Rising 2030. The AAID aims to lift per capita income to over $1000 by 2030. Achieving this in five years will require growth that is both rapid and inclusive. That kind of growth will demand a significant scale up in job creation. This is where you, Liberia’s micro, small, medium enterprises, are front and center. Simply put, Liberia Rising cannot happen without you.
Second, why does this event – and efforts to bring key stakeholders together – matter? The new AAID aims to “reform and modernize business and regulatory frameworks to create a transparent, predictable, and supportive environment for businesses and investors, enhancing overall economic efficiency and competitiveness.” This week’s event matters because tackling the risks and barriers to MSME growth in Liberia is not a task for any single entity.
Currently, Liberia’s indicators covering investment climate, trade and access to finance point to uncompetitive private and financial sectors. Liberia was ranked 134th overall out of 137 economies in the latest available Global Competitive Index 2017-2018 edition[3] and now lags its neighbors across key competitiveness drivers. You know these issues well – including Infrastructure, the Financial System, ICT Adoption, Skills, and Innovation Capacity. We also need to keep mega trends and risks in mind, from the decline in foreign direct investment to low-income countries, to steep vulnerability to risks such as climate change. Looking ahead, firms will need a wider range of tools to boost resilience to better manage risks on their investments.
Real progress will require collaboration among all key stakeholders – government at all levels, the private sector, and development partners. By leveraging each other’s strengths, we can create an environment where Liberia’s MSMEs – the pillars of Liberia’s economy – can thrive and fuel sustainable growth.
Finally, how is the World Bank supporting this agenda? The World Bank’s active support for MSME growth and development is steadfast, and we are working on a range of fronts. The Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project, implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Central Bank of Liberia and the private sector, aims to support SMEs in three key areas: strengthen managerial capacity of entrepreneurs; facilitating access to markets and finance through the MSME Line of Credit Facility and the Accelerate360 technical assistance program; and (iii) supporting the government to strengthen the business environment while boosting financial inclusion. We are supporting MSME growth in the agriculture sector through the STAR Project and RETRAP Project — particularly targeting women and youth enterprises – and supporting micro and informal enterprises through REALISE. Over the coming months, we look forward to engaging with the Boakai administration to further maximize these initiatives to scale results under the AAID.
In closing, I want to reaffirm that we believe in Liberia’s future, and we believe in Liberia’s MSMEs. Today’s discussions are a vital step in ensuring Liberia’s MSMEs are equipped to overcome challenges and seize opportunities. This event will stimulate new thoughts and new inspiration.
I’d like to end with a few questions for the entrepreneurs among us. Can I encourage you to write down your goals for your micro, small, and medium enterprise? As Liberians across the country rise up to achieve Liberia rising 2030, what is your aspiration? What targets do you aspire to achieve in terms of profitability and job creation? How will you help to inform policy making, building on the great inspiration of this week’s event?
The more specific you are, the more likely you are to pursue and achieve your vision. Let’s move forward with determination, recognizing that Liberia’s growth is inextricably linked to the success of its MSMEs.