Liberia: Government Launches National Digitalization Drive, Establishes Office of Technology and Innovation

Monrovia – The Government of Liberia has announced the launch of a National Digitalization Drive and the establishment of the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI), in a move aimed at transforming public service delivery and modernizing governance systems across the country.

By Joseph K. Doryea, contributing writer  

The initiative, formalized through an executive order issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, seeks to position Liberia for a digital future by reducing waste and fragmentation in government operations, improving efficiency, and delivering faster, more transparent services — while strengthening public trust in the governance system. 

OTI to Serve as Central Digital Authority

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Daniel O. Sando said the Office of Technology and Innovation will be established within the Office of the President as the central coordinating authority for digital governance, enterprise architecture, and cybersecurity across all ministries, agencies, and commissions.

“The initiative mandates a whole-of-government overhaul of public service delivery using secure and interoperable digital systems,” Sando said.

He noted that the OTI will accelerate digitalization efforts, enable secure data exchange across government institutions, and promote the use of shared digital platforms. Its core responsibilities include setting government-wide technical standards, maintaining a National Enterprise Architecture Framework, and issuing technical clearance for major information and communications technology (ICT) investments to ensure alignment with interoperability requirements.

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Provisions

Under the executive order, baseline cybersecurity protections are mandated for all government digital systems, to be implemented in coordination with the Ministries of Posts and Telecommunications and Justice. All data-sharing initiatives must comply with constitutional privacy guarantees and relevant sectoral laws.

For oversight and accountability, a Digital Government Steering Committee — chaired by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs — will provide high-level supervision of the OTI’s activities.

Implementation Timeline

The executive order takes immediate effect and will remain in force for one year, consistent with Liberia’s executive order framework.

Deputy Minister Sando said that within 180 days, the OTI is required to submit a prioritized implementation plan, along with the first release of the Government Enterprise Architecture Framework and the Government Interoperability Framework.

During the one year, the government is also expected to pursue legislation aimed at permanently institutionalizing the digital governance reforms introduced under the order.