By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia, with significant backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other key partners, recently concluded its inaugural Liberia Technology Summit 2025. This two-day national event focused on advancing digital governance and empowering citizens across the nation.
Held under the theme “Transforming Governance, Empowering Citizens,” the summit united government officials, private sector leaders, youth innovators, civil society actors, and international development partners. Their collective aim was to address Liberia’s pressing development challenges through technology and digital innovation.
The UNDP Liberia served as a major catalyst for the summit, providing a USD 10,000 financial contribution. This funding supported the development of a dedicated summit website and the management of critical IT infrastructure, ensuring the smooth execution of the national event. The UNDP also facilitated the participation of global thought leaders, including its Chief Digital Officer, Robert Opp, who joined virtually.
Opp lauded the launch of Liberia’s National Digital Strategy as a landmark achievement, underscoring UNDP’s unwavering commitment to the country’s digital transformation. “Our support to Liberia includes strategic policy development, building digital and data capabilities, and investing in digital public infrastructure,” Opp stated. “We’ve assisted over 90 countries in similar transitions, and Liberia’s progress is encouraging.”
Aliou Dia, UNDP Resident Representative in Liberia, praised the nation’s determination to embrace a digital future. He emphasized the importance of a human-centered approach that leverages local innovation and resilience. “This summit proves Liberia is not just ready for the digital age but is actively shaping it through strong national leadership,” Dia affirmed.
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, acknowledged existing technological limitations but reaffirmed the government’s resolve to digitize revenue collection and service delivery mechanisms. “Technology enhances efficiency,” Minister Ngafuan noted. “It shortens processing time, improves revenue generation, and ultimately boosts service delivery to our people.” He also revealed plans to digitize public finance systems to accelerate development outcomes.
The 2025 Liberia Technology Summit served as a crucial launchpad for finalizing the country’s National ICT Policy and officially unveiling the National Digital Strategy. This roadmap aims to position Liberia as a tech-driven economy and a regional innovation hub in West Africa.
Key highlights from the summit included:
- A high-level policy panel on digital governance and innovation.
- Youth-led pitches proposing tech-based solutions in agriculture, health, and climate action.
- The launch of the Digital Empowerment Fund to support women and rural tech entrepreneurs.
- Demonstrations of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, e-governance tools, and climate-smart innovations.
Liberian youth and schoolchildren showcased their creativity and digital skills alongside global experts, underscoring the immense potential of homegrown innovation. The summit successfully platformed a diverse group of voices committed to ensuring digital inclusion and accessibility for all.
Stakeholders pledged to transform dialogue into concrete investments, laying the foundation for a robust and inclusive national digital ecosystem. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MOPT) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), with strong support from UNDP Liberia, the summit reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to harnessing technology as a tool for inclusive growth and transformation.
With momentum building, Liberia’s digital journey now moves from planning to execution. Leaders, innovators, and citizens are now aligned under a shared vision: a digitally connected Liberia that leaves no one behind.
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