• Liberian Senate approves Cybercrime Act 2025, bill sent to president

• Law criminalises hacking, online fraud, identity theft, harassment

• ITU ranks Liberia Tier 4, scoring 21.34 on cybersecurity index

The Liberian Senate has approved the Cybercrime Act 2025, a bill aimed at tackling cybercrime and strengthening national cybersecurity. Having already passed the House of Representatives, it now goes to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to be signed into law.

The legislation updates Liberia’s legal framework in response to the rise in online crime. It makes it an offence to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, commit online fraud, steal identities, intercept data illegally, or engage in electronic harassment. It also includes measures to protect critical infrastructure and improve coordination among relevant authorities to prevent and prosecute cyber offences.

“This law is about protecting citizens, businesses, and the state in an increasingly digital economy,” a senior Senate source told the Liberian Observer. “Without it, Liberia would remain vulnerable to crimes that do not respect borders.”

The move comes as digital services expand rapidly in Liberia, driven by electronic payments, online platforms and digital communications. Until now, the legal framework has been widely seen as inadequate for dealing with emerging technology-enabled crimes.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Liberia scored 21.34 out of 100 on the Global Cybersecurity Index in 2024, placing the country in Tier 4.

Adoni Conrad Quenum