From Connectivity to Trust: Key Policy Outcomes from Liberia IGF 2026
PAYNESVILLE, LIBERIA – April 30th , 2026 – As Liberia accelerates its digital transformation journey, the 7th Edition of the Liberia Internet Governance Forum (Liberia IGF 2026) concluded with a strong set of policy recommendations aimed at strengthening connectivity, trust, inclusion, cybersecurity, and digital public infrastructure. Held under the theme: “Trust, Inclusion and Resilient Digital Public Infrastructure: Advancing Liberia’s Digital Transformation” the Forum brought together government officials, regulators, technical experts, private sector leaders, civil society, academia, youth representatives, and international partners to examine the opportunities and challenges shaping Liberia’s digital future.
Over three days of dialogue, participants agreed that Liberia’s digital transformation agenda must move beyond connectivity and focus on building trusted, inclusive, and resilient digital systems that serve citizens and support national development. One of the most significant outcomes of Liberia IGF 2026 was the strong emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a foundation for modern public service delivery. Stakeholders highlighted the need for interoperable government systems, digital identity solutions, digital payment platforms, and citizen-centered digital services capable of improving efficiency, transparency, and access to public services. Discussions acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Government of Liberia, including digital transformation initiatives under the GREAT Project and broader infrastructure modernization efforts aimed at improving service delivery across government institutions. Participants agreed that successful DPI implementation will require strong collaboration between government, the private sector, and technical experts while ensuring accessibility and affordability for all citizens.
Another major focus of the Forum was the future stewardship of Liberia’s .lr country code top-level domain (ccTLD).During discussions on governance, redelegation, and public interest safeguards, stakeholders emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, technical stability, and inclusive stakeholder participation. The session produced recommendations toward the development of a .lr Redelegation Safeguards Framework and a public information process to ensure that Liberia’s national Internet resources continue to be managed in the public interest. Participants further stressed the importance of strengthening the country’s technical ecosystem and ensuring that future decisions regarding .lr governance align with international best practices.
Cybersecurity emerged as a recurring theme throughout the Forum Stakeholders noted that as Liberia expands digital services and connectivity, the country must also strengthen its capacity to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Key recommendations included:
- Establishing a national Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (CIIP) framework.
- Strengthening cybersecurity coordination among institutions.
- Building national cyber resilience and preparedness.
- Increasing public awareness on online safety and digital security.
The Forum further called for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder CIIP Working Group to support national efforts in this area.
Government representatives used the Forum to reaffirm their commitment to advancing Liberia’s digital agenda. In his keynote address, Hon. Jerolimek Piah, Minister of Information represented by , emphasized the importance of trust, transparency, and information integrity in the digital age. The Government further reiterated its commitment to expanding digital services, strengthening public communication, and promoting inclusive digital development.
One of the Forum’s key presentations was delivered on behalf of the Commissioner for International Gateway and Internet Governance of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).Representing the Commissioner, Peter Jackson ,a senior technical staff, highlighted ongoing national efforts to strengthen connectivity infrastructure, improve Internet affordability, and support Internet governance development in Liberia. His presentation emphasized the strategic importance of:
- Expanding national connectivity infrastructure.
- Strengthening international bandwidth access and resilience.
- Promoting affordable and meaningful Internet access.
- Supporting digital inclusion and universal access.
- Advancing Liberia’s participation in regional and global Internet governance processes.
Mr. Jackson also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among government, regulators, technical communities, civil society, and the private sector to ensure that Liberia’s digital future is built on trust, inclusion, and innovation. “Connectivity remains important, but the future of Liberia’s digital transformation will depend on how effectively we build trust, strengthen digital rights, secure our infrastructure, and ensure that no community is left behind,” he stated. The Forum concluded with the adoption of the Liberia IGF 2026 Communiqué, outlining key recommendations and implementation priorities for the coming year.
Priority areas include:
- Digital Public Infrastructure development.
- Internet affordability and access.
- Cybersecurity and CIIP.
- Data governance and privacy protection.
- Youth empowerment and digital skills.
- Women’s participation and leadership in technology.
- Strengthening .lr governance and national Internet resources.
As Liberia prepares for the Africa IGF, the United Nations IGF, and the upcoming MRU IGF 2026, stakeholders agreed that the country is well-positioned to strengthen its leadership role in regional Internet governance discussions. Liberia IGF 2026 demonstrated that digital transformation is not only about technology—it is about building trusted systems, empowering people, and ensuring that every Liberian can participate in and benefit from the digital future.
The message from Liberia IGF 2026 is clear: The future of Liberia’s digital economy will be built not only through connectivity, but through trust, inclusion, security, and collaboration.
