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ADNews- Monrovia: The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) convened a high-level Information Communication Technology (ICT) Stakeholders’ Sensitization Dialogue under the theme “Best Practices in ICT Regulation: Global Trends 2025” to modernize Liberia’s digital ecosystem. The forum brought together senior government officials, telecommunications operators, regulatory experts, and development partners to shape a progressive roadmap for the country’s ICT sector.
By Benjamin Quaye Johnson benjaminqjohnson@gmail.com
The dialogue focused on five strategic objectives designed to realign Liberia’s telecommunications landscape with global regulatory standards, including Enhancing the Regulatory Framework – Developing comprehensive policies to ensure fair competition and robust consumer protection, Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration – Strengthening cooperation between public and private sector actors, Integrating Emerging Technologies – Leveraging innovation to enhance regulatory efficiency, Aligning with National Development Goals – Utilizing ICT as a catalyst for socioeconomic advancement and Ensuring Inclusive Policy Development – Incorporating diverse stakeholder input into regulatory decision-making process.
Delivering the keynote address at the day-long stakeholder Sensitization Dialogue on ICT Regulations in Monrovia on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Ambassador B. Elias Shoniyin, Dean of Cuttington University’s School of Global Affairs and Policy, highlighted the central role of regulation in driving sustainable development. “Regulation is not a barrier, but the bedrock of growth,” Ambassador Shoniyin declared.
He emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in regulatory ranging from gatekeeping to enabling and cited examples where outdated processes had deterred critical investments.
He shared a case in which regulatory reforms enabled a $3 million project that generated over 20,000 jobs, demonstrating the direct impact of adaptive governance.
His address concluded with a powerful message: “Adaptive regulation that anticipates change is essential for protecting national interest and securing our digital future.”
In his remarks, LTA Acting Chairperson Mr. Abdullah Kamara laid out a transformative policy framework aimed at strengthening national ICT infrastructure and advancing digital sovereignty.
He stressed on Regulatory Modernization to include Comprehensive review of Liberia’s more than twelve-year-old telecommunications regulatory framework
The Acting Chair of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority further stated that there is a need for the introduction of proactive and responsive regulatory strategies to meet evolving technological demands
Kamara maintained that the LTA, under the new leadership, is focusing on data sovereignty governance and the implementation of data localization policies to ensure Liberian citizens’ data is stored within national borders
“Development of a national data governance framework to enhance security and accountability, economic Empowerment.
“Launch of initiatives to boost local participation in Liberia’s $200 million telecom market, support for Liberian entrepreneurs through targeted training and access to telecom sector opportunities, including infrastructure Resilience,” he noted
The LTA Chairperson further noted that the formulation of national contingency protocols, in addressing recent undersea cable disruptions, and the strengthening of critical digital infrastructure are to withstand future service interruptions.
Speaking on the implementation roadmap and strategy since taking over the LTA, Acting Commissioner for Oversight, Licenses, and Regulation Department, Mr. Ben A. Fofana, outlined the LTA’s operational strategy to ensure the timely execution of reforms:
He named a short-term deliverables in the first three quarters of 2024 to include the Completion of enhanced consumer protection regulations, the Launch of a local vendor empowerment program to support domestic service providers
The LTA Acting Commissioner for Oversight Licenses and Regulatory Department noted that medium-term objectives in the first three quarters of 2025, by the introduction of five new regulatory instruments focused on competition, data management, and compliance, establishment of environmental and technical standards for telecom infrastructure deployment.
He also disclosed a strategic partnership amid strengthened cooperation with international stakeholders, including the U.S. Embassy, the Creation of public-private working groups to refine and monitor policy implementation
The event was climaxed with a shared commitment to bold, inclusive, and forward-looking policy reform. Stakeholders unanimously agreed that regulatory modernization is essential to unlocking Liberia’s full digital potential.
The LTA is now expected to consolidate stakeholder input into a comprehensive Strategic Action Plan, with scheduled reviews to ensure alignment with global ICT benchmarks and national development priorities.
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