President Joseph Boakai has called on the Legislature to expedite the passage of a critical bill aimed at combating cybercrime, bolstering cybersecurity, and safeguarding the nation’s cyberspace.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day Cybersecurity Conference, organized by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) in Monrovia on Wednesday, President Boakai emphasized the urgency of the bill as a national security priority.
The President stressed, “The significance and urgency of this bill for our national security cannot be overstated and as such, I urge the Legislature to expedite its passage, so as to ensure the safeguarding of our country’s cyberspace.”
The President expressed confidence that the legislation, once enacted, will provide a legal framework to tackle cybercriminal activities and restore trust and credibility to individuals and institutions affected by cyberattacks.
However, the conference, under the theme, “Secure Our World,” comes at a time when global cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, targeting businesses, financial institutions, and even political processes.
President Boakai has at the same highlighted that in the last 20 years, cybersecurity breaches have surged by over 70%, causing businesses to suffer losses exceeding US$2 billion in 2023 alone due to email-based attacks.
Acknowledging the role of young people in shaping the future of Liberia’s digital landscape, he reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment through the Digital Transformation Program, which aims to train 10,000 young Liberians in computer skills.
President Boakai noted that cybersecurity training is essential for equipping the youth to defend Liberia’s digital infrastructure, and asserted, “Our youths are smart, and I have no doubt they can pick up quickly.”
The President further underscored the need for institutions to make cybersecurity a priority, integrating it into their risk mitigation strategies, thus calling the LTA to implement robust frameworks to address cybersecurity challenges head-on.
Boakai concluded his remarks by pledging his support for building sustainable partnerships with African and global counterparts to strengthen Liberia’s cybersecurity defenses.
Meanwhile, the conference, attended by key officials from the telecommunications sector, aims to create actionable strategies to protect Liberia’s cyberspace from evolving threats.
