• The plan targets connectivity, e-government, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion

• Authorities aim to expand access, especially in rural and marginalized areas

• Liberia still ranks low in Africa on e-government and cybersecurity indicators

Liberia has officially launched a national roadmap to guide its digital transformation through 2029, as the government seeks to build a more inclusive, secure, and innovative digital ecosystem.

According to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, the strategy focuses on eight priority areas, including universal connectivity, digital inclusion, a national digital addressing system and postal reform, cybersecurity and data sovereignty, e-government, and ICT-driven innovation. These priorities are structured around four strategic pillars designed to deliver measurable and inclusive outcomes.

In a Feb.2 statement, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications said the roadmap aims to support economic growth, improve public service delivery, encourage job creation, and reduce the digital divide, particularly in rural areas and underserved communities.

The launch comes weeks after Liberian authorities held talks with a World Bank Group delegation on digital cooperation. Discussions covered connectivity expansion, telecom infrastructure modernization, and the promotion of more integrated digital growth. In December, Liberia also engaged with China’s Huawei, which presented its “Digital Village” solution aimed at extending digital services to rural areas.

Despite these ambitions, Liberia continues to lag behind regional peers on several digital indicators. The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs ranked the country 47th out of 54 in Africa in 2024 for e-government development, with a score of 0.2513 out of 1. The ranking reflects steady progress in digital integration, but also highlights persistent challenges.

The International Telecommunication Union placed Liberia in the second-lowest tier of its Global Cybersecurity Index 2024. While the ITU noted relatively solid performance in regulatory frameworks and cooperation measures, the country scored below half of the maximum points in both categories.

In 2024, the ITU also assigned Liberia a score of 37.1 out of 100 for ICT development, ranking it 36th among 47 African countries assessed. According to the same source, 2G and 3G networks covered 85.4% of the population in 2023, while 4G coverage reached 80%. Mobile phone penetration stood at 59%, and internet penetration at 23.5%.

Isaac K. Kassouwi