President Boakai Unveils Liberia’s Digital Transformation Initiative

President Boakai Unveils Liberia’s Digital Transformation Initiative.

President Boakai has initiated Liberia’s Digital Transformation Project, aiming to reach 10,000 youths across the nation. This endeavor aligns with his pledge outlined in his inaugural state of the nation address in January, emphasizing the significance of utilizing Information Communication Technology (ICT) to generate employment opportunities for Liberian youths. The objective is to equip 10,000 young individuals with digital skills by mid-2024.

President Boakai expressed his enthusiasm for spearheading Liberia’s digital revolution, emphasizing the necessity of embracing the digital era for the country’s advancement. He highlighted ICT as a vital component in Liberia’s development, underpinning various sectors and steering the nation’s development agenda.

“The importance of ICT in our development programs cannot be overstated. It serves as the backbone supporting various sectors, contributing significantly to our development goals,” he remarked.

The project aims to position Liberia as a frontrunner in the global digital economy, with a broader ambition of involving 30,000 individuals in this transformative process. President Boakai stressed that failure to embrace digital evolution could impede Liberia’s progress on the global stage.

He emphasized the numerous advantages of digital innovation for Liberia, such as increased involvement in the global digital economy, better access to education, and inclusive economic growth prospects. Moreover, the President unveiled intentions to incorporate computer literacy as a mandatory subject in high school curricula, ensuring that young people acquire vital digital skills.

The project’s steering committee comprises key stakeholders from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and Ministry of Youth and Sports. This collaborative effort aims to expedite digital infrastructure development and establish a framework for digital governance, engaging diverse sectors to bolster economic growth and job creation.

The project launch, held at the EJ Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, convened government officials, civil society organizations, international partners, telecommunications firms, members of the House of Representatives, and students from across the nation.

Representative Ivar K. Jones, Chairman of the House Committee on Telecommunications, voiced the Legislature’s support for President Boakai’s administration in their digital transformation endeavors.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, hailed the program as a strategic move towards enhancing performance, efficiency, transparency, and accountability, particularly in public service delivery.

Sekou M. Kromah, Minister of Post & Telecommunications, emphasized the imperative nature of digital transformation in developing countries, citing its role in enhancing efficiency and customer experience. He affirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing digitization to propel Liberia towards its full potential.

In his remarks, Abdullah L. Kamara, Acting Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), outlined the project’s key objectives, including the design and implementation of digital awareness, skills training, and empowerment programs to bolster Liberia’s economic growth.

Kamara reiterated that digital transformation entails the comprehensive integration of digital technologies into all facets of society, fundamentally altering operations and value delivery. He emphasized the myriad opportunities digital transformation presents for developing countries like Liberia to accelerate progress and surmount transitional development barriers.