Liberia has received a fresh injection of $7.41 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) to complete its flagship run-of-river hydropower project in the Gbedin Falls area of Nimba County. The financing, approved in Abidjan, aims to close funding gaps caused by construction delays and the need to complete essential infrastructure tied to the project.
The ADF— the concessional financing arm of the African Development Bank Group said the extra resources will ensure the project reaches full commissioning, including integration into the grid, implementation of environmental and social safeguards, and execution of the Gender Action Plan, which had been underfunded.
The Renewable Energy for Electrification (REE) project is a joint undertaking between the Liberian government and the African Development Bank. Initially approved in October 2019, it formally began implementation in March 2021.
At the heart of the initiative is a 9.34 MW run-of-river hydropower plant at Gbedin Falls, a project designed to diversify Liberia’s power mix and reduce reliance on costly diesel-based thermal generation. Run-of-river systems, which generate electricity from natural river flow rather than dams, offer low operating costs, minimal environmental disruption, and significant resilience benefits for rural regions.
Once operational, the plant is expected to produce 56.5 GWh of electricity annually, equivalent to roughly 6.9% of Liberia’s total power supply. For a country with one of the lowest electricity access rates in West Africa, this represents a meaningful step forward.
The additional ADF financing will help finalise all associated infrastructure required to bring the plant into service. Key components include:
- 8 km, 33 kV evacuation line connecting the hydropower plant to the existing grid
- Two new transformer substations
- A link to the cross-border transmission line, supporting regional power trade
- 15 km permanent access road to the plant site
- 8 km temporary road for construction logistics
- 50 km of new distribution lines (33/0.4 kV) across Nimba and Bong Counties
- 6,650 new household connections to the national grid
These elements are essential for maximising the project’s development impact. Without them, the plant’s power cannot be reliably delivered to communities or integrated into the national system.
Liberia’s electricity access challenge is severe: only around 30% of the population has a connection, and even connected households face high tariffs and limited reliability.
Upon completion:
- The project will extend energy access to around 60,000 people who currently lack electricity.
- 6,650 households (about 6,500–7,000 people per household cluster) will be newly connected directly to the national grid.
- Annual output of 56.5 GWh will strengthen domestic supply and reduce pressure on Liberia’s thermal fleet.
The hydropower station is also expected to stabilise voltage in Nimba and Bong Counties, regions that have struggled with both scarcity and high distribution losses.
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The ADF noted that delays in procurement, supply chain disruptions, and extended construction timelines resulted in project management overruns. In addition, inflationary pressures pushed up the cost of materials and labour.
The newly approved funds are intended to ensure the project reaches completion without compromising quality or safety, and to maintain momentum on Liberia’s broader renewable energy transition.
Once fully commissioned, the Gbedin Falls hydropower project will become a cornerstone of Liberia’s green energy portfolio, complementing the Mount Coffee hydropower plant and reducing dependence on imported fuel.
For a country working to rebuild infrastructure after years of fragility, the project offers:
- Improved energy security
- Lower long-term generation costs
- Cleaner electricity
- Expanded rural access
- Opportunities for local employment and technical training
With the additional $7.41 million now secured, Liberia is positioned to bring the long-awaited project online — delivering reliable, renewable electricity to thousands and strengthening the foundation for economic growth.
