LWSC-MCC Hold Strategic Talks To Improve Water And Sanitation Services

The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) on Tuesday, (September 30,2025) held a strategic planning engagement with officials of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) at its head office in Monrovia.  The engagement aimed at boosting collaboration and strengthening efforts to improve water and sanitation services across the country.

The high-level meeting brought together LWSC’s senior management team and MCC representatives to explore priority areas in the utility’s operations, including infrastructure rehabilitation, policy reforms, and investment opportunities. Discussions also focused on strategies to enhance efficiency and service delivery in order to meet the growing demand for safe water in urban and peri-urban communities.

Speaking at the event, LWSC Managing Director Hon. Mohammed Ali underscored the importance of aligning the Corporation’s strategic plan with international best practices and donor-supported initiatives. He stressed that stronger cooperation with development partners such as MCC is vital to sustaining progress in Liberia’s water sector.

Managing Director Ali then presented the Corporation’s 2025 key findings, highlighting challenges that have contributed to financial losses. He revealed that inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services cost Liberia an estimated USD Two Hundred Thirty-One (231) million annually, accounting for 5.3% of GDP. Other findings include 54% of citizens’ productive time spent collecting water, while 27% of premature deaths are linked to poor sanitation and unsafe water.

The LWSC boss further pointed to non-revenue water—caused mainly by outdated pipelines—as a major source of financial loss. He assured stakeholders that addressing this issue could significantly boost revenue.  LWSC’s Director also outlined the importance of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus as part of LWSC’s reform agenda.

Despite these setbacks, Hon. Ali noted significant progress in expanding access. Between 2022 and 2024, 76% of Liberia’s population gained access to at least basic water services, with improvements in infrastructure and service delivery. He highlighted ongoing projects such as the installation of 36-inch and 16-inch transmission pipes, decentralization of sanitation services, and upgrades to the Monrovia Sewer System.

Ali also announced the rollout of prepaid water meters to replace flat-rate and cost-pay systems that had placed the Corporation under financial strain. Manager Ali appealed for USD 3 million in additional support to expand the prepaid system nationwide.

Additionally, Hon. Ali extended appreciation to USAID for constructing and operating three water systems across Liberia and emphasized that LWSC should not only rely on funding from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning but also position itself as a revenue-generating entity contributing to the national budget.

For its part, MCC, represented by Mr. Arif A. Mamun, Deputy Vice President for Policy and Evaluation, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Liberia’s infrastructure development. Mr. Mamun stressed that effective water and sanitation services are critical to public health, economic growth, and poverty reduction, while urging transparency and accountability to ensure long-term impact.

The engagement forms part of LWSC’s broader reform agenda to modernize the Corporation, strengthen financial sustainability, and expand reliable water access nationwide. Both institutions agreed to continue dialogue and joint planning toward sustainable solutions to Liberia’s water challenges.