Liberia plans to open 15 digital skills centers across the country. The government wants to prepare young people for technology jobs and reduce unemployment.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports signed a memorandum of understanding to launch this initiative. The telecommunications regulator will provide computers, printers, and high-speed internet through Starlink at each center. The LTA will also cover a one-year internet subscription for every facility.
The program includes a three-month digital skills training course. About 750 young people will benefit from this training nationwide.
Why Liberia Needs This Program Now
Youth unemployment remains a serious challenge in Liberia. The African Development Bank’s Country Focus Report 2025 shows the official unemployment rate at 3.5%, but this number hides high levels of underemployment and informal work.
Young people aged 15 to 35 who are not in employment, education, or training face greater risks of social exclusion and limited economic opportunities. The African Development Bank warns that without targeted interventions, these challenges will continue cycles of poverty and hinder national development.
The World Bank projects that 230 million jobs across Africa will require digital skills by 2030. Liberia cannot afford to leave its young population behind.
Building on Earlier Training Programs
This new initiative follows a content monetisation training program held in May 2026. The LTA, Ministry of Information, and Ministry of Youth and Sports trained 150 content creators, including comedians, storytellers, and video producers.
Participants learned practical skills in content creation, branding, audience engagement, and monetisation strategies for platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
LTA Chairperson Clarence K. Massaquoi said the government is taking practical steps to ensure digital inclusion. He added that as internet access expands across Liberia, citizens need to become active creators who can generate revenue, not just consumers of online content.
Supporting Liberia’s Digital Transformation
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has called for including ICT education in school curricula and community programs. The government’s vision is to position Liberia as a hub of digital talent.
Abdullah L. Kamara, Chairman of the Liberia Digital Transformation Project, revealed plans to train half a million youth in the next three years. The government is also discussing making digital education a core subject in high schools.
The UNDP is supporting Liberia through several digital initiatives. These include establishing a master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity at the University of Liberia and scaling digital and AI skills training for 50,000 young people.
In November 2025, UNDP and Orange Liberia signed a deal to expand digital training and connectivity. Orange Liberia announced a $200 million investment plan to strengthen its network, particularly in underserved rural regions.
What This Means for Young Liberians
The 15 digital skills centers will give young people direct access to technology and training. They will learn practical skills that employers need in today’s digital economy.
This initiative reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments view digital technologies as a tool to reduce youth unemployment.
The program does not stop at training. The LTA will fully finance the three-month course, removing cost barriers for participants. This makes the opportunity available to young people who cannot afford private training programs.
A Path Toward Self-Reliance
SOS Children’s Villages in Liberia recently graduated 150 young people from computer literacy and digital marketing training in partnership with the Orange Foundation. Leul Abera, Acting National Director, said equipping young people with practical skills creates pathways toward employment, innovation, and self-reliance.
One graduate, Massa Nimely, described the training as transformative. “A certificate is more than a piece of paper; it is proof of perseverance, growth, and ambition,” she said. “Today, I feel prepared to pursue opportunities that once seemed beyond my reach”.
What’s Ahead
Liberia faces a digital divide that experts warn is locking an entire generation out of global job opportunities. The new digital skills centers represent a concrete step toward closing that gap.
The government, telecommunications authority, and international partners are working together to build a digitally empowered workforce. With over 60% of Liberia’s population under age 35, equipping young people with digital skills is central to national development.
The 15 centers will open doors for thousands of young Liberians. The training will give them the tools to compete for tech jobs, start digital businesses, and participate in the growing digital economy.
