1.1 INTRODUCTION This policy amends the National ICT and Telecommunication Policy of 2010. While the 2010 policy laid the basis for future policy development, technology developments have continued, and new priorities have emerged that are critical to the sustainable development of the sector which need to be addressed. Issues of increased importance include the strategy to construct a national terrestrial fiber backbone, the strategy to accelerate the provision of universal and equitable access, the strategy to develop local content, and e-government services, as well as managing the Liberian country code Top Level Domain. This also requires support for building a national data center, setting standards for access to essential facilities, a framework to implement e-services and a strategy to build human capital. The key issues that the ICT policy aims to address are: ● ● ● To develop Liberia’s critical ICT infrastructure in order to open up the potential for wealth creation across the private sector generally, and to empower its citizens, thereby helping to achieve the goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2030 To speed up Liberia’s use of ICT which currently lags behind West African neighbors and others in the continent. These countries have seen ICT increase economic and social activity in banking and financial services, communications, health and education To help correct the significant disparities in access and affordability to ICT services both within and beyond the capital of Monrovia The growth and sustainability of the ICT sector requires an updated ICT policy that encourages all stakeholders to play a committed role in the areas of infrastructure development, broadband Internet development, human capacity and digital skills, content development, uptake and strategic use of services and products, online safety and privacy, quality of service and efficiency of broadband networks and social inclusion of all citizens. In support of the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) ICT objectives, and in building on the initial framework established by the 2010 ICT Policy, this policy develops a strategy and vision to further Liberia’s position as an information society and knowledge economy by 2023 and a middle-income country by 2030. Unlike its antecedent, which was an aspiration, this policy focuses on driving the implementation of a vision of Liberia transformed into an information society underpinned by a strong ICT ecosystem. Structured around 15 thematic areas, this policy seeks to provide all stakeholders across government, private sector, civil society and communities with a clear roadmap to drive economic, social, cultural and political transformation through effective use of ICT. 1.2 Thematic Policy Focus Areas: 1. Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Framework; 2. ICT Infrastructure; 3. Broadband and Internet; 4. Spectrum Management; 5. Information safety and Cybersecurity; 14