“Digital empowerment is not optional—it is the lifeline for inclusive development in Liberia and the Mano River Union region.”– Peterking Quaye, Regional Director, WAICTANet
As the world celebrates World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, the West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet) joins the global community in commemorating 160 years since the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gender Gap in the Digital World,” is a timely and urgent call to action for governments, development partners, and civil society in the Mano River Union (MRU) region.
In Liberia, only 26% of the population has access to the internet (World Bank, 2023), with women and rural communities disproportionately disconnected. The digital gender gap continues to widen due to limited access to devices, low digital literacy rates, and inadequate infrastructure in rural and marginalized communities. In contrast, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire have made significant strides, with internet penetration at 39% and 47% respectively, and national strategies supporting women in tech and digital entrepreneurship.
WAICTANet is deeply concerned about Liberia’s slow progress in integrating digital technologies into national development frameworks. Empowering women and girls through ICTs is not just a development priority—it is a fundamental right and a powerful catalyst for economic and social transformation.
A Thought Leadership Message from the Director, Peterking Quaye “WTISD 2025 offers us a platform not only to reflect but to act. The MRU region, particularly Liberia, cannot afford to be left behind in this digital age. As we mark the ITU’s 160th anniversary, we must also mark a new beginning for inclusive connectivity. The government of Liberia and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) must scale up investments in ICT infrastructure, expand universal access programs, and implement gender-focused digital literacy initiatives.
At WAICTANet, we are committed to working with national and regional partners to close the gender digital divide and drive inclusive digital transformation. We urge policymakers to prioritize connectivity in public schools, support female-led tech startups, and adopt regional best practices that accelerate digital inclusion.”
The Mano River Union (MRU) region has immense potential to leverage telecommunications for sustainable peace and development. However, there is a stark digital divide between member countries: Côte d’Ivoire has a national digital strategy that promotes women’s participation in the tech ecosystem and is rolling out digital hubs in secondary schools; Sierra Leone is implementing its National Digital Transformation Strategy (2022–2027) with targeted investments in rural connectivity and ICT education; Guinea is expanding mobile broadband services and supporting community-based digital training programs. In contrast, Liberia lacks a comprehensive digital development policy and continues to underfund the ICT sector. According to the 2023 GSMA Mobile Connectivity Index, Liberia ranks among the lowest in West Africa in terms of affordability, network performance, and digital literacy.
