By: Robert Kwaku Annor
Liberia has officially
joined the Smart Africa Alliance as its 43rd member, supporting the
government’s agenda to modernise public services, strengthen digital skills and
expand economic opportunities for Liberians.
Liberia’s Chief Information
Officer, Sheikh Sheriff, announced the development following the country’s
engagement during the Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, South Korea,
alongside Hon. Samuel A. Stevquoah, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs,
and Hon. Sekou M. Kromah, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
The membership was secured
with the approval of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and is intended to
support efforts to modernise government, improve public services and create
greater economic opportunities.
Sheriff said the value of
membership would be measured through practical outcomes, including stronger
digital skills for young people, better access to technical expertise, partnerships
for secure infrastructure and greater opportunities for Liberian businesses.
Through Smart Africa,
Liberia will pursue cooperation in broadband connectivity, cybersecurity, data
governance, artificial intelligence and training through the Smart Africa
Digital Academy.
These opportunities align
with initiatives already underway under the sector leadership of the Ministry
of Posts and Telecommunications, including the e-Liberia portal, the X-Road
interoperability platform, the national data centre upgrade and the
digitisation of county service centres.
“Our responsibility now is
to turn membership into results. We need clear priorities, coordinated
institutions, and partnerships focused on Liberia’s needs,” Sheriff said.
He identified the expected
outcomes as enabling citizens to access services closer to home, equipping
public officials to deliver faster services, helping young Liberians gain
skills for employment and allowing entrepreneurs to reach new markets.
Sheriff thanked President Boakai
for his leadership, Ministers Stevquoah and Kromah for advancing the
engagement, and Smart Africa’s leadership for welcoming Liberia.
He also expressed his
commitment to working with the country’s Chief Information Officers Council,
government institutions, the private sector and development partners to
translate the membership into measurable progress for Liberians.
