On May 3, 2024, the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) announced the launch of a call for applications for the National Digital Training Program, part of the Liberia Digital Transformation Project. The announcement, made via LTA’s official Facebook page, highlighted that the deadline for applications was June 1, 2024. The training, aimed at equipping 10,000 young people with skills in General Digital Skills, Digital Marketing, E-commerce, and Digital Survey, also promised up to USD 250,000 in support for startup tech businesses.
“The Liberia Digital Transformation Project is now accepting applications for the FREE National Digital Training Program,” the memo read. “Our goal is to provide comprehensive digital training to 10,000 youths and offer substantial funding for emerging tech enterprises.”
This initiative follows President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s launch of the Liberia Digital Transformation Project in April 2024. Speaking at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, President Boakai emphasized the importance of digital advancement for the nation’s development. “Embracing the digital age is essential for Liberia’s progress,” he remarked. “ICT is the backbone of our developmental strategy, pivotal in driving various sectors forward.”
In his State of the Nation Address on January 29, 2024, President Boakai reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) to foster economic growth and job creation, particularly for the youth. “Our objective is to train 10,000 young Liberians in digital skills by mid-2024. This is a crucial step towards realizing a robust middle class within the next six years,” he declared.
However, as June 2024 nears its end, the government has remained silent about the progress of the training program, despite the application deadline having passed. This has raised concerns among potential participants and stakeholders. Efforts to get updates from the Ministry of Information’s Deputy Minister for Technical Services, Daniel Sando, were inconclusive as he redirected inquiries to the LTA, with no further response received by press time.
Attempts to contact the numbers provided in the advertisement were also unfruitful. A responder on the Orange number disclaimed any connection to the program, and the LoneStar number remained unreachable.
The digital training initiative is designed to boost Liberia’s economic growth through technology. It aims to foster digital literacy, promote e-business solutions, and support tech entrepreneurship with seed funding for sustainable solutions addressing local challenges. The project targets youths aged 10 to 35, with a broader outreach expected to impact over 250,000 people through various media and virtual training materials. Key stakeholders involved in the steering committee include the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
As the nation awaits further information, the success of this ambitious digital training program remains uncertain.
