STAR-P Strengthens Rural Finance Infrastructure with Bullion Van Donation to Kolahun Bank

LAEJN Editorial Team

As part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen rural financial systems in Liberia that impact farmers, the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) has donated a Bullion Van to the Kolahun Rural Community Financial Institution (KRCFI) in Lofa County. This strategic intervention forms part of a broader initiative to enhance financial inclusion and agricultural productivity in underserved regions.

The provision of the van marks a turning point for the rural bank, which has long struggled to transport cash securely, often relying on a motorbike for bulk cash movement — a method fraught with risk and inefficiency. With the introduction of this specialized vehicle, KRCFI is expected to significantly strengthen its operational capacity, improve cash security, and expand its reach to farmers and small businesses in remote communities.

Funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), STAR-P is designed to transform Liberia’s rural economy by improving access to finance, infrastructure, and agribusiness development. The donation to KRCFI, which emerged from a competitive grant application process in 2023, is valued at over US$72,000 and also supported the electrification of the bank’s Voinjama branch, structural renovations, and the procurement of additional operational tools, including safes and a motorbike.

At the vehicle handover ceremony recently, STAR-P Operation Manager   Steve Marvie emphasized the transformative impact the donation will have on the Kolahun Rural Community Financial Institution’s service delivery.

“We were aware of the serious logistical challenges you faced in transporting cash using a motorbike — a method that posed both operational and security risks,” Marvie noted. “This bullion van is a critical upgrade that will enable you to deliver more efficient and secure financial services to farmers and other rural clients.”

He underscored that one of the core pillars of the STAR-P initiative is to strengthen the operational capacity of rural enterprises so they can become catalysts for broader community development.

“The empowerment of rural institutions is central to the project’s mission. We are pleased to count KRCFI among the beneficiaries making a tangible difference in the lives of rural Liberians,” he added.

Marvie reaffirmed STAR-P’s ongoing commitment, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to addressing the structural barriers facing rural communities, with continued support from the World Bank and IFAD.

The donation aligns with STAR-P’s mission to build institutional resilience in rural Liberia and reflects a shift from short-term aid to long-term capacity building. By equipping local financial institutions, the project enables them to serve as engines of rural transformation.

KRCFI Board Chair, Patrick K. Manjoe, lauded the support as the most significant logistical upgrade in the bank’s history. “This van is a game-changer. It allows us to operate with confidence and expand our services without risking the safety of our staff and funds,” he said. He reiterated the institution’s commitment to transparent and effective use of the support, while expressing hope for continued partnership.

Since its establishment by the Central Bank of Liberia in 2018, KRCFI has served over 4,000 clients in Lofa County, playing a vital role in facilitating rural livelihoods. However, like many rural financial institutions, it has faced severe infrastructure and liquidity challenges that limit its reach and efficiency.

The donation is expected to set a precedent for replicable support across other rural institutions in Liberia. As STAR-P continues to implement its rural finance component, initiatives like this serve as concrete examples of how targeted investments in financial infrastructure can drive inclusive development and empower rural communities.