LTA Closes Liberia’s First-Ever DigiTech Expo — Celebrates National Leap Toward Digital Innovation

Monday, June 16, 2025

HISTORY WAS MADE on June 13, 2025, as Liberia crossed a digital milestone with the successful hosting of its first-ever DigiTech Expo, organized by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia. This inaugural event was not just a celebration it was a powerful affirmation that Liberia is no longer waiting for the digital future; it is actively building it. UNDER THE THEME “Showcasing Liberia’s Digital Future Advancing Innovation & Digital Inclusion,” the expo brought together a remarkable gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, regulators, telecom companies, students, academics, and policymakers. From sunrise to sunset, the complex buzzed with excitement, curiosity, and ideas. It was a national moment of reckoning a recognition that the tools of tomorrow are already in our hands today. AT THE CLOSE of the expo, LTA Acting Chairperson Abdullah L. Kamara offered passionate and visionary remarks that captured the spirit of the occasion. “Today marks more than just an expo it marks a turning point in our national story,” Kamara said. “The DigiTech Expo 2025 is a clear signal that Liberia is not only ready to embrace the digital future, we are already living it. Innovation is no longer a distant dream it’s our new language, and it's being written by Liberians.” INDEED, THE EXPO served as a snapshot of what is possible when public institutions and private actors come together with a shared purpose. The presence and participation of all major GSM operators in Liberia, as well as dozens of startups, development organizations, government ministries, and universities, showed the strength of collaborative effort. The diversity of participants made it clear that digital transformation is not a sector specific issue it’s a national agenda.

FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and fintech to smart agriculture, cybersecurity, e-learning platforms, and digital governance, the solutions presented were not abstract concepts they were practical answers to Liberia’s challenges. Interactive booths and live demonstrations enabled visitors to test and interact with technologies tailored for rural communities, students, small business owners, and civil servants. There was no mistaking the message: Liberia is digitally awakening. A STANDOUT MOMENT of the day was the “Digital Is Our Language” showcase, which creatively blended technology and culture to underscore how digital tools can be used not just for commerce, but for civic education, storytelling, and cultural preservation. It was a vivid reminder that Liberia’s digital journey is not only about infrastructure and bandwidth but also about identity, creativity, and voice. EQUALLY IMPACTFUL WAS the panel discussion titled “Tech for Development in Liberia.” Here, experts and practitioners unpacked the obstacles to digital inclusion, such as the digital divide between urban and rural areas, affordability of services, gender disparities in tech, and the need for a national digital literacy strategy. The discussions were frank, solutions-oriented, and driven by a common resolve to move Liberia forward. AS ACTING CHAIRPERSON Kamara noted, youth engagement was one of the strongest signals of hope. The sheer number of young Liberians involved in coding, app design, fintech, and content creation is a testament to the power of investing in talent. Kamara emphasized that LTA's priority going forward is to create policies and partnerships that expand digital access and unlock opportunities for youth and underserved communities.

“WE HAVE SHOWN the world that Liberia is open for digital business. We will continue to push policies and partnerships that expand digital access, improve telecom services, and create opportunities for young people to thrive in a tech-driven world,” Kamara declared. THE LTA ALSO used the platform to unveil several upcoming initiatives. These include plans to increase broadband penetration, provide support for local innovation hubs, and implement regulatory reforms to attract private investment while protecting consumer rights. These commitments reflect a clear understanding that policy, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship must work hand-in-hand to build a thriving digital economy. THE BROADER SIGNIFICANCE of the DigiTech Expo goes beyond the technologies on display. It signaled a cultural shift in how Liberia perceives innovation not as a luxury, but as a necessity. In a country still rebuilding its infrastructure and institutions, digital technology provides an opportunity to leapfrog outdated systems and build smarter, faster, and more inclusive solutions. ORGANIZERS DESERVE COMMENDATION for making the event highly accessible and participatory. The presence of students, community leaders, civil society actors, and ordinary citizens demonstrated a strong desire for learning, connection, and empowerment. Technology was demystified, and the barriers between “techies” and the general public were brought down in a meaningful way.

EQUALLY DESERVING OF recognition are the young Liberian developers and startups who showcased homegrown digital tools addressing real life challenges from mobile payment platforms to AI driven health apps and e-learning solutions. Their work is a reminder that with the right support, Liberia can become not just a consumer of foreign technology, but a producer of digital solutions tailored to local realities. PERHAPS THE MOST resounding message came from Chairperson Kamara’s closing declaration: “TECH IS THE new language and every Liberian must be fluent.” This statement encapsulates the call to action that echoed throughout the day. If Liberia is to build a resilient and inclusive future, digital literacy must become a foundational element of our national development strategy. It must be taught in schools, integrated into public service, and supported in every corner of the country. LOOKING AHEAD, IT is clear that the DigiTech Expo must become an annual national fixture a platform for progress, accountability, and inspiration. The momentum generated from this year’s event should not be allowed to fade. Instead, it should inform a sustained movement toward building a digital Liberia that works for everyone. IN CLOSING, THE LTA has not only organized a successful event it has sparked a national conversation. It has shown us what’s possible and reminded us of what’s at stake. With bold leadership, strategic investment, and active citizen participation, Liberia’s digital future can be bright, inclusive, and transformative. AND SO, WE applaud the LTA, the vision of Acting Chairperson Abdullah L. Kamara, and all those who made DigiTech Expo 2025 a success. Liberia has taken a leap toward a smarter tomorrow and the journey has only just begun.