President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has officially signed into law the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at significantly bolstering food security and combating hunger across Liberia. The signing ceremony at the Executive Mansion marks a crucial step in the administration’s commitment to social protection and poverty reduction.
The NFAA Act of 2020, which had been approved by the Legislature on June 17, 2025, and subsequently published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, establishes the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) as a new statutory body. This agency is now mandated to develop, implement, and coordinate all national food assistance programs. Its responsibilities will also include enhancing emergency food response mechanisms, providing vital support to vulnerable populations, and forging partnerships with both local and international institutions to address Liberia’s persistent food insecurity challenges.
President Boakai underscored the timely importance of the new law, describing it as a critical instrument within his broader governmental agenda. “This is a tangible step toward fulfilling our promise to ensure that no Liberian goes to bed hungry,” President Boakai stated. “With the NFAA, we are institutionalizing a national commitment to protect the food rights of our citizens, especially those most in need.”
The newly established NFAA will operate under a Board of Directors and be led by a Director General, who will be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. The agency is expected to foster extensive collaboration with relevant government ministries, non-governmental organizations, donor partners, and private sector actors to ensure that food assistance efforts are effectively operationalized across all of Liberia’s fifteen counties.
The enactment of the NFAA Act signals a new era for structured and accountable food assistance delivery in Liberia. It aligns the nation’s efforts with international best practices and reinforces Liberia’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims for Zero Hunger worldwide. The Boakai Administration has reiterated its dedication to strengthening national systems and institutions to meet the pressing needs of the Liberian people and ensure inclusive development for all.
