Partnerships Driving Impact: Gonet Academy Strengthens Institutions and Builds National Workforce

—Over 110 Sponsored Professionals Trained Through Strategic Partnerships in 2025

Gonet Academy has significantly expanded its role as one of the country’s leading workforce development and institutional capacity-building institutions, leveraging strategic partnerships in 2025 to strengthen governance, improve organizational efficiency, and equip over 110 sponsored professionals with critical workplace and leadership skills.

The Academy’s growing network of collaborations across government ministries and agencies, financial institutions, civil society organizations, and philanthropic foundations reflect what many observers describe as a rising national demand for practical, results-driven professional development.

For Gonet Academy, however, the partnerships represent more than training contracts—they represent a deliberate strategy to contribute directly to Liberia’s institutional transformation.

“Partnerships are at the heart of sustainable national development,” said Mohammed Kerkulah, Founder and CEO of Gonet Academy. “When institutions invest in building the capacity of their people, they strengthen governance, improve productivity, and ultimately improve service delivery to citizens.”

Kerkulah emphasized that the Academy’s 2025 collaborations demonstrated a growing recognition that Liberia’s development challenges cannot be addressed without investing in human capital.

“Our mission has always been larger than the classroom,” he noted. “We are building professionals who can strengthen institutions, drive innovation, improve accountability, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s future.”

Strengthening Governance and Public Sector Efficiency

Among the Academy’s most impactful partnerships during 2025 were collaborations focused on improving governance systems and operational efficiency within public institutions.

One of the most significant interventions involved the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), where Gonet Academy facilitated a comprehensive four-day Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) training for senior management personnel.

The exercise engaged heads of 14 key departments and was strategically aligned with the institution’s transition into the proposed State-Owned Enterprises Authority of Liberia (SEAL).

The training focused on improving compliance systems, operational coordination, institutional accountability, and administrative efficiency.

According to Academy officials, the intervention highlighted the increasing importance of standardized procedures within public institutions seeking to modernize governance frameworks and improve public service delivery.

“Strong institutions are built on systems, structure, and competent leadership,” Kerkulah explained. “Our role is to help organizations develop the human and operational capacity necessary to function effectively and sustainably.”

Expanding Regulatory and Administrative Capacity

The Academy also strengthened partnerships with key regulatory and technical institutions across Liberia.

The Liberia Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (LACRA) invested in the professional development of 19 staff members through training programs in: Project Management, QuickBooks Essentials, Human Resource Management and Public Relations.

Similarly, the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB) sponsored 20 staff members across certificate and diploma programs focused on Monitoring and Evaluation, Procurement, Project Management, and Digital Productivity Skills.

The partnerships, according to development analysts, reflect a broader institutional shift toward skills upgrading and workforce modernization within Liberia’s public sector.

As digital transformation, accountability demands, and operational complexity continue to increase across institutions, organizations are increasingly prioritizing practical workforce competencies capable of improving efficiency and performance.

Promoting Transparency and Access to Information

In July 2025, GonetAfrica signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Independent Information Commission (IIC) aimed at strengthening transparency, data governance, and implementation of Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) framework.

The collaboration represented an important intersection between professional development and democratic governance.

Under the partnership, the IIC sponsored nine staff members during Cohort 13 in programs including Human Resource Management, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Relations and Customer Service.

The partnership reflects increasing recognition that transparency institutions require technically competent personnel capable of managing complex information systems and citizen engagement processes.

“Transparency and accountability depend not only on laws, but on capable institutions and skilled professionals,” Kerkulah stated. “Capacity building is essential to strengthening public trust.”

Beyond the public sector, Gonet Academy continued to strengthen its relationship with Liberia’s corporate community.

GT Bank Liberia Limited emerged as one of the Academy’s key private-sector partners during 2025, sponsoring 21 staff members from nine different departments during Cohort 11.

The training covered a broad range of professional disciplines, including Internal Audit, Project Management, Human Resource Management, Banking and Finance, Marketing Strategy and Brand Management, Customer Service and Relationship Management, Microsoft Excel and Digital Productivity Skills.

According to business analysts, such investments reflect growing awareness within Liberia’s banking and corporate sectors that continuous professional development is increasingly necessary for maintaining competitiveness, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

“Organizations that invest in people are better positioned to innovate, adapt, and grow,” Kerkulah observed. “The modern workforce requires continuous learning.”

Scholarships Expanding Opportunities for Young Liberians

One of the Academy’s most socially impactful achievements during 2025 came through its scholarship partnerships aimed at expanding access to professional education for young people and underserved communities.

The Martin K.N. Kollie Foundation sponsored 60 young people across two training cohorts, while the Thomas Foundation supported 14 young people throughout all three cohorts during the year.

In another major youth empowerment initiative, the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), working through the Young Women Alliance for Empowerment, sponsored 25 young women during Cohort 12.

The initiative particularly emphasized women’s professional advancement and economic empowerment.

For Kerkulah, such partnerships are essential to ensuring that professional development opportunities remain accessible beyond elite circles.

“Talent exists everywhere,” he said. “What many young people need is access, opportunity, mentorship, and practical training that can unlock their potential.”

Strengthening Civil Society Capacity

Gonet Academy also deepened its engagement with Liberia’s civil society sector through partnerships focused on institutional strengthening and financial accountability.

Working alongside the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) and the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia, GonetAfrica delivered a 12-day Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Training involving 19 participants from 11 civil society organizations.

The training addressed key operational gaps in Internal controls, financial documentation, Reporting systems and Accountability procedures.

Strengthening civil society institutions remains essential for improving governance, advocacy, and service delivery across Liberia.

“Strong organizations require strong systems,” Kerkulah emphasized. “Capacity development is critical whether you are in government, the private sector, or civil society.”

Additional partnerships during 2025 included collaborations with Mary’s Meals Liberia, which sponsored 13 staff members, and Board of Tax Appeals (BOTA), which sponsored six staff members.

Collectively, the partnerships illustrate Gonet Academy’s expanding role as a national capacity-building institution working across multiple sectors of Liberian society.

The Academy’s model—combining practical instruction, institutional collaboration, and workforce-focused learning—is helping address critical skills gaps that have long affected productivity and institutional performance in Liberia.

For Kerkulah, however, the broader mission remains clear. “Our success is measured not simply by numbers, but by impact,” he said. “Every institution strengthened, every professional empowered, and every young person given opportunity contributes to building a stronger Liberia.”