Monrovia—In a significant step towards enhancing digital literacy in Liberia, 10,000 Liberian youth graduated on Thursday, December 12, 2024, as the first cohort from President Joseph N. Boakai’s digital skills training program under the Liberia Digital Transformation Project.
The graduates received their certificates at a ceremony held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, following an intensive three-month training course designed to empower youth with essential digital knowledge. This initiative is part of President Boakai’s 100-day deliverables aimed at leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create job opportunities.
Speaking on behalf of President Boakai, Minister of State Without Portfolio Samuel Stevquoah emphasized the importance of digital transformation in unlocking Liberia’s potential.
“ICT is the backbone supporting various sectors of development and is a crucial player in the government’s agenda,” he stated.
Minister Stevquoah expressed pride in the achievement, declaring, “When we pledged to train 10,000 youth in digital skills this year, we knew it was an ambitious goal. Today, I am proud to say we have kept that promise. This achievement is a testament to the determination of our young people and the hard work of our project teams.”
He described the digital transformation program as a deliberate effort by the government, highlighting the need for components such as policy frameworks, standards, infrastructure development, and a supportive digital economy to drive progress.
In addition, the minister announced that 50 trainee teams would receive seed funding to support their proposals, urging them to seize the opportunity to innovate and contribute to national development. “To these young entrepreneurs, I say: innovate, and contribute to Liberia’s future,” he urged.
Minister Stevquoah encouraged the graduates to give back to the program, ensuring that future generations could also benefit. “You are not just beneficiaries; you are torchbearers for a new era in Liberia,” he added.
He explained that the seed funding should be used to empower various sectors aligned with the government’s ARREST agenda, noting that ICT is essential for enhancing productivity in areas such as health, agriculture, education, and tourism.
Reaffirming that the digital transformation initiative is not a one-time effort, Minister Stevquoah stated that it is an ongoing endeavor aimed at embedding digital solutions in every area of society to improve the quality of life for all Liberians.
During the ceremony, President Boakai, through Minister Stevquoah, mandated the Ministry of Education to partner closely with the Digital Transformation Project and development partners to integrate ICT and digital skills training into high school curricula.
“As interoperability is key to the digital economy and society, the Digital Transformation Project will collaborate with key players, including the Central Bank of Liberia, Liberia Revenue Authority, Accountant General’s Office, and National Identity Registry, to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place for government and private sector services,” he disclosed.