Monrovia, Liberia–August 5, 2026 -The Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project continues to make significant progress in improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Liberians through targeted livelihood interventions, labor-based short-term employment, small business grants, unconditional cash transfers, and community-based development and agricultural support. These interventions are among the Government’s key social protection programs. 

The Project has achieved notable results across its major intervention components, injecting well over US$2.4 million into local communities through grants, labor subsidies, and community development support. 

Strengthening the Informal Economy 

The Support to Small Businesses (SSB) component has reached its target of 4,450 beneficiaries in Montserrado and Margibi Counties. Each beneficiary received US$900, disbursed in two tranches, along with business management and life skills training to help them manage the grants effectively. 

Project Coordinator Jesse Bengu said 1,780 beneficiaries established new businesses over the life of the component, “creating fresh opportunities for income generation and self-employment.” He added that a further 2,670 beneficiaries expanded existing businesses, enabling them to increase production, diversify their products and services, attract more customers, and strengthen their financial stability. 

The businesses supported span a wide range of sectors, including retail trade, shopkeeping, catering, hairdressing, transportation, and other small-scale enterprises that form the backbone of Liberia’s informal economy. 

In a new direction for the Support to Small Businesses component, 50 fishmongers have been enrolled under the ProBlue Pilot Initiative in West Point Township. The initiative is a strategic partnership aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods within Liberia’s fisheries sector while expanding economic opportunities for vulnerable informal workers, particularly women engaged in fish processing and marketing. 

Mr. Bengu said each beneficiary is expected to receive a US$900 business grant, “representing a total investment of US$45,000.” The grants are intended to provide much-needed capital for beneficiaries to strengthen and expand their businesses through the purchase of fish, processing equipment, storage materials, and other essential inputs. By increasing their productive capacity, beneficiaries are expected to improve their incomes, enhance business resilience, and contribute to local economic growth. 

The ProBlue Pilot Initiative is designed to address the unique challenges faced by small-scale fishmongers, including limited access to finance, inadequate working capital, and vulnerability to economic shocks. Beyond financial support, the initiative seeks to promote sustainable fisheries-based livelihoods, encourage responsible business practices, and improve the overall productivity of the fisheries value chain. 

Beneficiaries were selected through a transparent enrollment process that ensures support reaches eligible and deserving fishmongers within the target community. The intervention complements the broader objectives of the REALISE Project by fostering entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for income generation, and strengthening the economic resilience of vulnerable households. 

Providing Short-Term Jobs Through Labor-Based Community Initiatives 

The Labor-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) component also registered notable success during the quarter. A total of 3,673 beneficiaries, representing nearly all participants targeted under the current implementation cycle, received labor subsidies and tool grants amounting to more than US$405,000. 

The intervention provides temporary employment opportunities while contributing to the development and rehabilitation of essential community infrastructure and increasing income opportunities for vulnerable households and informal workers. 

Empowering Rural Communities Through Communal Agriculture 

The Community Livelihood and Agriculture Support (CLAS) component recorded significant achievements. Of 8,484 targeted beneficiaries, 7,997 received labor subsidies totaling approximately US$800,000, providing much-needed financial support to farming households across participating communities. 

The Project also provided tool grants valued at approximately US$509,000 to 303 communities, enabling farming groups to improve agricultural productivity through access to essential farming equipment and inputs. 

As part of strengthening community ownership, 1,515 Community Oversight Committee (COC) members received payments totaling approximately US$114,000 for their role in supervising and supporting project implementation. COC members are chosen from community leadership to provide oversight and to serve as the first line of grievance redress. 

The Project further financed 303 Community Development Support (CDS) projects, with a total investment of approximately US$545,400. These projects address critical community priorities, including small-scale infrastructure and livelihood-enhancing initiatives identified by local communities. 

Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Program 

The Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Program has exceeded its target, enrolling 16,601 households against a planned target of 16,000 across Grand Bassa, River Gee, Rivercess, and Grand Kru Counties. Grand Bassa enrolled 7,470 households against a target of 7,800; River Gee enrolled 3,521 against 3,500; Rivercess enrolled 3,359 against 2,600; and Grand Kru enrolled 2,251 against 2,100. 

The SCT Program has helped transform the lives of poor and vulnerable households through predictable financial assistance and strengthened social protection services. Implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), the program helps families meet their basic needs while improving their resilience to economic shocks. 

Each beneficiary household is entitled to six quarterly cash transfers, with the transfer amount determined by household size. Payments are made through mobile money, ensuring beneficiaries receive their assistance securely, transparently, and efficiently. To guarantee that households receive the full value of their entitlement, the program also covers all mobile money cash-out fees. 

A distinctive feature of the SCT Program is its commitment to women’s empowerment. Cash transfers are paid to the Female Most Responsible in each household, the woman primarily responsible for caring for children and managing household welfare. This approach ensures that resources directly benefit families and strengthens women’s participation in household financial decision-making. 

Beyond cash assistance, beneficiaries receive mobile phones and SIM cards to facilitate digital payments and take part in household financial planning sessions that promote responsible budgeting and shared decision-making among couples. The program also supports access to National Identification Cards, though this activity is currently suspended following a Government of Liberia directive. 

Strengthening Liberia’s Social Protection Systems 

Over the past three months, Component 6B has made significant strides in strengthening Liberia’s national social protection system through policy reform, digital transformation, and institutional capacity development. Led by the MGCSP, the component supports the Government’s efforts to build a more responsive, inclusive, and resilient social protection system. 

The National Social Protection Policy and Strategy has been revised and the annotated bibliography completed. The Project has also completed a comprehensive desk review and developed data collection instruments. National Social Protection Coordinator Aurelius Butler said technical review of major parts of the policy has been completed, “while preparations are underway for nationwide stakeholder consultations.” 

Mr. Butler said the forthcoming consultations “will bring together representatives from government ministries and agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and beneficiary communities.” These engagements will help shape a modern policy framework that strengthens coordination across the social protection sector, expands coverage for vulnerable populations, and enhances Liberia’s capacity to respond effectively to poverty, vulnerability, and future socio-economic shocks. 

Advancing Social Protection Through Digital Innovation 

The Project has completed Phase One testing of the Liberia Household Social Registry (LHSR) and is transitioning to Phase Two implementation. “This marks an important step toward establishing a robust national registry for identifying and supporting vulnerable households,” Mr. Butler said. Progress has also continued on the Youth Employability Zone (YEZ) Platform, which is being refined to connect young Liberians with employment opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and skills development. 

Capacity Building 

Last quarter, staff of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection participated in international training on digital transformation, interoperability, and modern social protection systems. These efforts were complemented by ongoing technical collaboration with key development partners, including the World Bank, UNICEF, Oracle, Microsoft, and the International Labor Organization (ILO). 

Commitment to Inclusive Economic Recovery 

These achievements underscore the REALISE Project’s continued commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia’s development agenda by expanding income-earning opportunities, strengthening community resilience, and empowering vulnerable households across the country. 

Through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, public works, agriculture, and community development, the REALISE Project continues to improve livelihoods while fostering sustainable economic recovery and inclusive growth. 

About the REALISE Project 

The Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project is a Government of Liberia initiative financed by the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). It is implemented through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYS), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), and the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE). The Project seeks to increase access to income-earning opportunities for vulnerable households and informal sector workers while strengthening Liberia’s social protection system. 

Media Contact: Henry Sumo, Communications Officer | REALISE Project | 0777443242 |hsumo@liberiasp.gov.lr