Remarks by World Bank Liberia Country Manager Georgia Wallen at Digital Liberia Week 2025
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
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Honorable Senator Dopoh; Honorable Minister of Post and Telecommunications; Honorable Deputy Minister of Finance for Economic Management; Honorable Officials of the Liberian Government; Development Partners; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning! On behalf of the World Bank family, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Digital Liberia Week 2025. This event reflects Liberia’s growing determination to harness digital technology as a driver of inclusion, efficiency, and accountability.
Every day, Liberia’s digital transformation is advancing -- moving ideas to action. We hope this week will strengthen our shared purpose to shape a digital future that connects technology with opportunity for every Liberian.
I’d like to highlight Liberia’s digitization journey; the importance of fundamentals; and the focus on people.
First, let’s start by putting this event in context. Liberia is on a journey of transformation. Across government entities and communities, there is a growing recognition that digital technologies can unlock faster, more inclusive development and growth. Digital technologies are not just tools — they are enablers of better governance, private investment, and job creation. This week aims to bring that idea to life. It aims to create space for collaboration and dialogue to ensure that digital transformation serves Liberia’s national development goals and reaches every corner of the country.
Second, fundamentals matter. Digital transformation can only succeed when the foundations are in place. It’s critical to get the basics right: reliable networks, resilient systems, and effective institutions that foster competition and accountability. A solid digital foundation is what will keep Liberia connected to the region and to the world.
Connectivity alone cannot create progress without trust. Liberia’s efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, improve data protection, and promote digital accountability are essential to building confidence in the digital economy. Building that trust is not only a technical goal — it is about improving how institutions serve people.
Third, digital transformation is not an end in itself — it is a means to improve lives and livelihoods. Across Liberia, digital technologies are beginning to show how they can open new pathways for farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses – especially to expand opportunities for youth and women. Jobs are the pathway to prosperity — using technology to create opportunities, generate income, and help people build better futures.
At the heart of all this are the people of Liberia. Liberia is laying the groundwork for a generation of digitally skilled citizens. We’re delighted about the partnerships with the Ministry of Education leading efforts to build digital literacy in schools, the Ministry of Youth and Sports aligning TVET and training programs with market demands, the Ministry of Agriculture enabling digital innovation, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications coordinating policy and partnerships – and more.
Finally, the World Bank Group is proud to be supporting this vision through our new Country Partnership Framework (that will be launched next month) along with a series of complementary, government-led programs. These include:
- The Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project is already helping to modernize governance, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand digital service delivery.
- The Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade (LIFT) Project is deepening financial inclusion, supporting entrepreneurship, and enabling small businesses to access finance.
- And the forthcoming West Africa Regional Digital Integration (WARDIP) Program will strengthen the overall digital ecosystem — integrating markets, improving resilience, and expanding opportunities across sectors.
We hope you will find this week engaging and inspiring. Use it to build networks and fuel partnerships – boosting confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
And let us carry forward one unifying message: Digital Liberia — Empowering People, Powering Progress, Enabling Growth.
Thank you, and I wish everyone a productive and inspiring week.