Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has signed an agreement with Cybastion to establish women’s technology and business innovation hubs with childcare centres across the country.
The agreement was signed by Cybastion CEO Dr. Thierry Wandji Ketchiozo and Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace Kollie, during the Corporate Council on Africa’s Trade and Investment Roundtable held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Known as the Liberia Women’s Digital and Economic Empowerment Program, the initiative will focus on expanding women’s access to digital skills, entrepreneurship training and business development opportunities.
A flagship campus will be established in Monrovia, with four additional regional sites planned for Voinjama, Gbarnga, Kakata and Buchanan. The hubs will provide participating women with business development support, mentorship and opportunities to strengthen their digital and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Cybastion’s philanthropic organisation, Theya Foundation, will work with Cisco to deliver digital skills and entrepreneurship training through the Cisco Networking Academy, targeting women and young people.
The hubs are also designed to help women improve business management skills, access new markets, connect with financial services and participate more effectively in wider supply chains.
A key feature of the programme will be the inclusion of modern childcare centres at each campus. The facilities are intended to enable mothers with young children to participate in training, mentorship and business development activities while addressing childcare as a barrier to women’s participation in education and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Thierry Wandji Ketchiozo said the programme would combine digital skills, entrepreneurship support and childcare to create pathways for Liberian women to build stronger businesses and participate more fully in the country’s digital economy.
Cisco Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer Francine Katsoudas also highlighted the partnership’s role in expanding digital skills and entrepreneurship opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Liberia.
The programme brings together Liberia’s government, Cybastion, Theya Foundation and Cisco to create dedicated spaces where women can access technology training, business support and mentorship alongside childcare services.
