By: UNDP Liberia Communication
IPNEWS: Liberia stands at an important moment in its development journey. Around the world, digital technologies are reshaping economies, transforming governance, creating new industries, and redefining how citizens engage with public services. For Liberia, digital transformation is no longer a matter of choice. It is a national imperative.
The Liberia Technology Summit 2026, held under the theme “Connecting Innovation with Opportunity” and “Government Digital Transformation: Building a Smarter Liberia,” demonstrated the growing national consensus that technology must become a catalyst for inclusive growth, better governance, entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development.
Over two days, leaders from government, academia, the private sector, development partners, and youth innovators came together around a shared vision of a smarter, more connected, and prosperous Liberia. The Summit highlighted Liberia’s growing talent, ambition, and commitment to digital transformation, while underscoring that technology is ultimately about improving people’s lives.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. reaffirmed that digital transformation is critical to effective governance, economic growth, transparency, and job creation. His declaration of July 21 as Technology Day, the institutionalization of the Liberia Technology Summit, and the creation of the Office of Technology, Digitalization and Innovation (OTDI) through Executive Order No. 163 demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing Liberia’s digital future through coordinated government leadership.
For UNDP, digital transformation is a powerful driver of sustainable development, but its success must be measured by its impact on people. Speaking at the Liberia Technology Summit 2026, UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Mamadou Dia urged stakeholders to focus not on technology itself, but on the opportunities, it creates for citizens.
“Technology, by itself, is not enough. The real measure of progress is whether innovation creates opportunities for people, opportunities for young people to find jobs, for entrepreneurs to build businesses, for students to become innovators, and for government institutions to better serve citizens.”
Dia emphasized that Liberia’s greatest asset is its people, particularly its young population. He called for greater investment in AI, cybersecurity, coding, data science, entrepreneurship, and innovation, describing them as critical investments in the country’s future competitiveness and resilience.
“Young Liberians have the talent to compete globally. Our responsibility is to create an environment where that talent can flourish.”
Dia urged Liberia to move from consuming technology to creating homegrown solutions and innovations. His vision places young people at the center of digital transformation as drivers of innovation, jobs, and economic growth.
Investing in Liberia’s Innovation Ecosystem
This vision is already being translated into action through UNDP’s growing portfolio of digital transformation initiatives.
At the center of these efforts is the Timbuktoo Initiative, UNDP Africa’s flagship platform designed to help position Africa as a global innovation powerhouse. Through this initiative, UNDP has partnered with the University of Liberia to establish the University Innovation Pod (UniPod), a hub that provides students, entrepreneurs, and innovators with access to innovation laboratories, digital fabrication tools, mentorship, business incubation support, coding programmes, design thinking methodologies, and emerging technologies.
The UniPod represents much more than a physical space. It is a platform where ideas can be transformed into businesses, where innovation can be converted into impact, and where young Liberians can gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Recognizing the transformative potential of emerging technologies, UNDP also announced a landmark partnership with the University of Liberia to establish the country’s first Master’s Degree Programme in Artificial Intelligence.
This initiative aims to prepare the next generation of Liberian AI researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, and policymakers who will shape the country’s digital future.
The importance of such investments cannot be overstated. As artificial intelligence increasingly influences economies, industries, and public services around the world, Liberia must develop the human capital needed not only to adopt these technologies but also to innovate and lead.
Ensuring No One Is Left Behind
UNDP is also working with partners, including Orange Liberia, to expand digital literacy and digital skills development opportunities for young people. Such collaborations are helping bridge the digital divide and ensuring that more Liberians have access to the knowledge and tools required to participate in the digital economy.
Beyond skills development, UNDP supports entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems that help young people create businesses, attract investment, and generate jobs. These efforts are designed to ensure that digital transformation delivers tangible economic opportunities and inclusive growth.
As digital transformation advances, UNDP is committed to ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural communities, and other underserved groups can access the opportunities, services, and economic benefits of the digital economy.
Ultimately, success will be measured not by technology alone, but by its ability to improve lives, expand opportunities, and leave no one behind.
Modernizing Government for Better Service Delivery
UNDP is supporting Liberia’s digital transformation through GovTech, AI for Government, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and digital governance initiatives that strengthen institutions, improve service delivery, and promote more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centered governance.
The establishment of the Office of Technology, Digitalization and Innovation (OTDI) provides a strong foundation for coordinating digital reforms across government. UNDP welcomes President Boakai’s leadership and views OTDI as a significant step toward building a more modern, technology-enabled, and citizen-centered government.
Partnerships Will Determine Success
A key lesson from the Summit was clear: digital transformation cannot be achieved by any single institution. Liberia’s digital future will depend on strong collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, development partners, investors, and civil society to drive innovation, expand opportunities, and accelerate inclusive growth.
A Future Being Built Today
Liberia has the talent and ambition to thrive in the digital age. Sustained investment in innovation, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and digital infrastructure will be key to unlocking that potential.
UNDP remains committed to partnering with government, academia, the private sector, and young innovators to build an inclusive digital economy that creates jobs, strengthens institutions, and advances sustainable development. Liberia’s digital future will be built by its people, powered by innovation, and shaped by investments made today.
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