U.S.A.-The Ministry of Gender has signed a major partnership deal with Cybastion Institute of Technology and Cisco Systems to build the digital skills of women in Liberia.
The program seeks to strengthen women’s economic empowerment, foster digital inclusion, and support the development of the agricultural value chain for women.
Through the landmark deal, thousands of women from Lofa, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bong, and Montserrado Counties are being targeted to benefit from these livelihood opportunities for a period of thirty-six months.
As per the agreement, Cybastion Institute of Technology, through its education entity, will design, build, equip, and operate five integrated technology and business innovation hubs for women in the targeted counties.
Activities earmarked during the first phase of the partnership will consist of identifying sites, preliminary studies, building and equipping technology hubs, and developing appropriate training programs and digital platforms for learning and marketplace.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Gender, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, said the partnership represents the Government of Liberia’s commitment to supporting women’s development in Liberia.
Minister Horace-Kollie said:” The signed agreement is significant in strengthening women’s resilience, while improving their access to digital skills”.
She described Liberian women as critical pillars of transformation, calling for more support in enhancing their digital knowledge.
Minister Horace-Kollie said that when women are empowered through meaningful opportunities, they become true architects in advancing national development.
The Gender Minister said:” The signing ceremony followed months of technical exchanges and discussions that focused on bridging the digital gap for women in Liberia’s informal economy”.
At the same time, the Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer at Cisco Systems, Francine Katsoudas, has reiterated her commitment to support economic growth and gender inclusivity in Africa.
Madam Katsoudas also pledged to invest particularly in expanding digital skills training in Africa for women’s growth and development.
She said:” The agreement is essential in bridging the digital gap between women and men, while improving women’s knowledge in areas that support their growth.
Madam Katsoudas revealed that through her organization, more than four point two million women in Africa have directly benefited from training opportunities and livelihood development skills.
She noted that Cisco Systems intends to leverage large-scale infrastructure projects to develop new digital corridors and strategic corridors for Liberia and the continent’s growth.
Francine Katsoudas spoke on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the signing of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Gender and the Cybastion Institute of Technology and Cisco Systems Inc. in New York, the United States.