The Government of Liberia has announced plans to transform the country's digital economy into a 24-hour system, a move Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan say will create new opportunities for young people, especially those engaged in the creative industry.
Minister Ngafuan made the disclosure during a Youth Town Hall engagement held in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, ahead of Liberia's 179th Independence Day celebration, where he provided updates on the government's youth-centered programs, investments, and policy initiatives aimed at expanding employment opportunities and entrepreneurship.
According to Ngafuan, the government recognizes the growing role of Liberia's creative sector but understands that young innovators, artists, content creators and entrepreneurs need stronger digital infrastructure and payment systems to fully benefit from their work.
He said ongoing reforms, including the establishment of a national payment system through a Central Bank of Liberia-supported initiative known as the National Switch, are expected to address some of the barriers limiting young Liberians from monetizing their talents.
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"One of the things I wanted to tell you is this: support to the creative industry, where many young people are," Ngafuan told the gathering.
He explained that the government has been engaging stakeholders within the entertainment and creative sectors to understand their challenges and develop targeted support mechanisms.
"I met, and we've been meeting, the ambassador for entertainment, Kobazi, and others, Zubin Koboi, and others who are in this industry," he said.
"And one of the new things that will come in the budget will be support," the finance minister added.
Ngafuan said the government's digital transformation agenda is designed to help Liberia move away from a traditional economy that slows down after normal business hours toward a more dynamic digital economy capable of operating around the clock.
"Through the Central Bank, there is a project called the National Switch," he explained.
"What that will do is that it will enable a lot of things," Ngafuan said. "We will move from an economy that probably gets shut down at 5 o'clock to a 24-hour economy."
He noted that the initiative will help improve electronic transactions, expand access to digital financial services, and create an environment where businesses and creative professionals can earn income beyond traditional working hours.
Ngafuan said many Liberian creatives currently struggle to benefit financially from their work because the systems required to receive payments and conduct online transactions are not fully developed.
"People are talking about monetization of their creative work," he said. "Others do everything and get money through social media, but payment and other things are not enabled in our environment."
"We are solving that problem, working with LTA and others," he added.
According to him, once the digital payment infrastructure is strengthened, Liberia's creative industry will experience significant growth.
"By that time, the creative industry will take off in a big way," Ngafuan assured.
The minister said the government's digital agenda forms part of a broader youth development strategy that includes entrepreneurship support, education, sports, and skills development.
He emphasized that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remains committed to expanding opportunities for young Liberians through increased investment and partnerships.
"I need to tell you that the president is the biggest champion for youth activities," Ngafuan said.
He pointed to several ongoing youth initiatives, including the Youth Empowerment Program launched in 2025, which he said recruited more than 300 young people during its initial phase.
"We started with a youth empowerment program in 2025. I think we recruited over 300 youth under the program," he stated.
Ngafuan said additional funding is expected to expand the initiative.
"Now the president is sure that we will get more money for that project," he added.
Beyond digital transformation, Ngafuan highlighted the government's partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to establish a youth entrepreneurship investment initiative aimed at providing capital to young business owners.
He said the project, valued at nearly US$18 million, will support thousands of youth-led businesses across Liberia.
"The Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank is an initiative between the government and the African Development Bank," he explained.
"The African Development Bank is the donor, and the Government of Liberia has posted money. I think we have almost $18 million in that project," Ngafuan said.
He disclosed that the project aims to provide financial support to 30,000 youth entrepreneurs and create approximately 100,000 jobs.
"The intention is to support giving capital to 30,000 youth-led businesses--30,000 youth entrepreneurs," he said.
"In that process, about 100,000 jobs will be created," he added.
Ngafuan said implementation preparations are already underway, including the recruitment of a national coordinator and the formation of a governing board.
"Through the Ministry of Commerce, we have already recruited a national coordinator. The project activities will soon start," he disclosed.
"They are constituting the board. The minister is writing us to nominate people," he added.
The finance minister also used the engagement to highlight government plans in education, sports infrastructure, and creative development.
He said youth concerns raised during the town hall would be incorporated into the government's 2027 budget preparation process.
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"We just launched the budget preparation process for 2027," Ngafuan said. "This is the time we are framing next year's budget."
He encouraged young Liberians to continue providing recommendations as the government works to align investments with national priorities.
"These suggestions are coming at the right time," he said.
Ngafuan added that government youth initiatives are supported not only through domestic resources but also through partnerships with international institutions and bilateral partners.
"Besides the government's own resources, we coordinate with partners and donors because we also coordinate aid," he explained.
Ngafuan said Liberia's transition toward a digital economy is expected to create opportunities for young people in areas such as entertainment, technology, online businesses, and entrepreneurship.
He stressed that the government's objective is to build systems that allow young Liberians to convert their creativity and innovation into sustainable income.
The finance minister assured participants that youth development remains central to the government's national development agenda, noting that investments in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and innovation are critical to Liberia's future economic growth.
"We are on track," Ngafuan said, adding that ongoing initiatives will help position young Liberians to benefit from emerging economic opportunities.
