WAICTANet Joins National Stakeholders to Shape Liberia’s First National Data Policy
The West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet) actively participated in the national Stakeholder Consultation on the Development of Liberia’s National Data Policy, held from 13-14 of November at the Mamba Point Hotel, Monrovia. The event, convened by the Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications (MoPT) in collaboration with the African Union (AU), GIZ, and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), represents a major step toward establishing a unified, rights-respecting data governance framework for Liberia. The initiative forms part of a broader African Union effort to domesticate the African Union Data Policy Framework (AUDPF), enabling member states to strengthen data governance, digital rights, and responsible data-driven innovation.
Peterking Quaye, Regional Director of WAICTANet, emphasized the importance of ensuring that Liberia’s forthcoming National Data Policy aligns with both emerging global norms and existing national legislation such as the Liberia Cybercrime Act of 2021. “Liberia stands at a defining moment in its digital evolution,” Mr. Quaye stated. “A strong, people-centred National Data Policy will transform data into a trusted public resource—strengthening privacy, transparency, and inclusion while supporting innovation and national development.”
He further stressed the need to link the National Data Policy to continental legal instruments, including the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention), to ensure interoperability, human-rights safeguards, and readiness for cross-border digital cooperation. “Data is not just information — it is power and public infrastructure. Liberia’s responsibility is to ensure that this power is used equitably, ethically, and in ways that empower citizens and strengthen institutions.” The critical importance of data integrity, was also center of the discussion -that data manipulation fuels both misinformation and disinformation—posing risks to national security, public trust, and democratic processes.
WAICTANet reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government and partners through evidence-based advocacy, technical input, and regional coordination. The National Data Policy development process will continue into early 2026 with further consultations, reviews, and validation sessions.
