A two-day Liberia Technology Summit 2025 opens with a surge of optimism and a united call for action, as government officials, international partners, private sector leaders, and youth innovators convened at the EJS Ministerial Complex to shape the nation’s digital future.

Under the compelling theme “Inclusion, Innovation, and Infrastructure,” the summit, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), galvanized momentum to move Liberia from speeches to systems, pilots to policies, and ideas to industries.

The summit assembled stakeholders from across Liberia and around the world to explore how technology can drive socio-economic development, close digital divides, and empower a new generation of creators.

“Technology is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the bridge between where we are and where we aspire to be,” stated UNDP Resident Representative Aliou Dia. 

Dia noted that Liberia has the talent, the mission, and the resilience that young people need. “What our young people need now is not more speeches but investment, infrastructure, and an ecosystem that believes in them. We must move decisively, collectively, and urgently. Let’s build a Liberia where technology fuels not exclusion, but empowerment,” Dia intimated.

UNDP’s commitment was demonstrated through several landmark initiatives unveiled during the summit. They include the launch of the Unipod Innovation Hub at the University of Liberia, support for a master’s program in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, and a nationwide “coding holiday” for children aged 7 to 16.

“We’re not just imagining the future, but we’re building it. Innovation is Liberia’s to claim, shape, and own,” Dia emphasized.

Orange Liberia, a leading private sector sponsor, reinforced the vision with a bold investment agenda. Sheikh Sheriff, Chief Information Officer and Head of the Orange Digital Center, highlighted the company’s $250 million investment to date, with an additional $200 million pledged by 2030 to expand network coverage, build three data centers, and extend fiber optic access nationwide.

“Orange is not just a network. We are shaping an inclusive digital economy that empowers rural communities, women, students, and entrepreneurs. From robotics training and digital schools to solar-powered sites, we’re proving that technology changes lives,” Sheriff said.

“This summit is not the finish line but Chapter One of a national movement,” he added.

Academic voices also echoed the urgency. Dr. Layli Maparyan, President of the University of Liberia, delivered a message via video from Harvard University, where she is attending a seminar.

“This summit is one of the most important developments this year. AI and technology are reshaping global education and Liberia must not be left behind,” she remarked.

Across panels on digital currency, data infrastructure, and public-private partnerships, the summit delivered a clear and resounding message that Liberia’s digital future is not just a possibility but a necessity.