A Bold Leap Toward Digital Transformation
Liberia is making a significant move to modernize its public financial management systems by leveraging digital technology. This initiative aims to enhance accountability and boost domestic revenue collection, marking a crucial step in the country’s development journey.
At the opening of the Technology Summit 2025, held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan announced a $30 million World Bank-funded project aimed at digitizing key government ministries and agencies. The project focuses on implementing e-governance systems across various institutions, with the goal of automating workflows, streamlining financial management, reducing human interference, and improving revenue tracking.
“The project is designed to improve government accountability and transform public service delivery,” Ngafuan stated. He acknowledged that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. “We want to be able to make things efficient because efficiency will cut processing time. The faster we implement government processes, the quicker we get revenue, and when we raise more revenue, we can do more for our people.”
Addressing Fiscal Challenges Through Innovation
As Liberia faces increasing fiscal pressures and a growing demand for public services, the minister emphasized the necessity of deploying digital tools in the public sector. “We are in the technology age, and some of the challenges we face as a government can only be solved through technology,” he said. One of the key measures to address recent economic shocks is the use of technology in revenue mobilization.
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) is already rolling out reforms, including new IT systems to improve tax collection and reduce leakages. By digitizing previously manual processes, the government hopes to expand the tax net and build public trust in the system. Better technology also means better oversight and fewer opportunities for funds to go unaccounted for.
Ngafuan admitted that Liberia’s starting point is far behind global standards but urged citizens not to be discouraged. “We have to leapfrog; we have to sprint,” he said. He encouraged Liberians, especially innovators and those in the private tech sector, to remain persistent despite skepticism. “It’s good that I see some folks thinking, contriving, implementing big things. Sometimes it appears like you are crazy in this environment when you think big — but we need to start talking about some ‘crazy’ things now.”
Commitment to Digital Infrastructure
Representing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the summit, Acting Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Mamaka Bility reaffirmed the government’s commitment to embedding digital solutions across all sectors of governance. She highlighted that digital infrastructure will serve as the foundation for the President’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism.
“As the administration executes its national development agenda, we are mindful that none of those pillars will succeed without a solid digital foundation,” Bility said. She emphasized that technology is no longer a luxury but a necessity, serving as a path to dignity, opportunity, and inclusive growth.
Bility also revealed that the government is finalizing two critical documents: a National ICT Policy and a National Digital Strategy. These documents will guide how Liberia leverages innovation and data to improve governance and empower citizens. “These documents are not just policies. They are blueprints for action, guiding how we use data, innovation, and connectivity to serve our people better,” she emphasized.
A Platform for Collaboration and Innovation
Held under the theme “Transforming Governance, Empowering Citizens,” the 2025 Technology Summit brought together policymakers, international development partners, entrepreneurs, civil society actors, and students from across the country. The event showcased tech innovations designed to tackle issues ranging from government service delays and low tax compliance to corruption and exclusion in rural communities.
Panels discussed the importance of building reliable digital infrastructure, closing the gender and youth gap in ICT, and supporting digital literacy across the public sector. International partners such as the World Bank, USAID, UNDP, and the European Union reaffirmed their support for Liberia’s digital development efforts, expressing optimism that this investment will mark a turning point in the country’s path toward digital governance.
A Vision for the Future
As Minister Ngafuan closed his remarks, he reminded participants that the nation’s current limitations should not define its future. “We may be starting from behind, but that only means we need to run faster, dream bolder, and act smarter,” he said. “This is Liberia’s time to leap forward. With technology and teamwork, we can transform our government, empower our citizens, and secure a better future.”