Monrovia, Liberia – Japan’s Ambassador to Liberia, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, has commended Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, for spearheading reforms to strengthen the management and oversight of the Japanese Counterpart Value Fund Secretariat, as the Governments of Liberia and Japan signed a new KR Food Aid Agreement valued at 250 million Japanese yen.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held on Monday, November 2, 2026, Ambassador Yoshimoto praised Minister Nyanti’s leadership in advancing institutional reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness, transparency, and sustainability of Japan’s development assistance to Liberia.
A key component of the reform was the development of a new management guide to strengthen oversight and implementation mechanisms of the fund as well as to transfer management responsibilities from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Ambassador Yoshimoto reaffirmed Japan’s longstanding commitment to supporting Liberia’s food security and development priorities, emphasizing the importance of the KR Food Aid Programme in providing much-needed rice to Liberian households.
He explained that the programme serves a dual purpose: helping address immediate food needs while generating resources through the sale of rice to support broader national development initiatives.
“In that regard, I am pleased that Japan is able to carry out this program every year in partnership with the Liberian government to provide the much-needed rice for the people of Liberia,” Ambassador Yoshimoto stated.
He further emphasized that an important objective of the programme is to ensure that proceeds from the sale of rice are effectively utilized to advance Liberia’s development priorities. In response, Minister Nyanti expressed profound appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued generosity and longstanding partnership with Liberia.
Acknowledging the Ambassador’s commendation, the Minister emphasized that the reforms were undertaken in Liberia’s national interest and reflect the Government’s commitment to strengthening public institutions, improving accountability, and ensuring that development assistance delivers meaningful benefits to the Liberian people.
Minister Nyanti also highlighted President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.’s vision of transforming Liberia into a nation capable of producing sufficient rice to meet its domestic needs, reducing dependence on imports, and creating greater opportunities for Liberian farmers.
She noted that agriculture remains a central pillar of the President’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, underscoring the Government’s determination to strengthen domestic food production, promote agricultural investment, and achieve long-term food security.
The Foreign Minister stressed that while international food assistance remains important, Liberia’s long-term objective is to build a more productive and self-reliant agricultural sector through sustained investment, effective resource management, and strong development partnerships.
She further welcomed the sustainability mechanism of Japan’s KR Food Aid Programme, which allows proceeds from rice sales to be directed toward development initiatives, extending the programme’s impact beyond immediate food assistance.
The signing of the 250-million-yen agreement marks another important milestone in the longstanding diplomatic and development relations between Liberia and Japan, reaffirming both countries’ shared commitment to food security, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.
Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Liberia, while Ambassador Hiroshi Yoshimoto signed on behalf of the Government of Japan.
The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs, Cllr. Jeddi Armah; Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei; Assistant Minister for International Cooperation, Leon Talery; and other officials.