Mohammed Kerkulah Leads Digital Inclusion Panel at 4th Annual Monrovia Tech Summit

Empowering Youth, Driving Innovation, and Shaping Liberia’s Future

From April 23–24, 2025, the Paynesville City Hall came alive with innovation, dialogue, and visionary leadership as more than 500 participants—including students, tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals—gathered for the 4th Annual Monrovia Tech Summit hosted by the West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANET).

Under the powerful theme, *’Empowering Youth, Driving Innovation, and Shaping Liberia’s Future,’* the summit showcased how technology can be a tool for transformation, particularly when inclusive strategies are placed at the heart of digital development.

Mohammed Kerkulah Headlines Digital Inclusion Panel

Gonet Academy’s Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO), Mohammed Kerkulah, served as the Lead Panelist for one of the summit’s most impactful discussions—*Bridging the Digital Divide: Digital Inclusion in Technology and Innovation.*

Joined by two other distinguished panelists, Mohammed shared key insights on how digital spaces can become more inclusive, particularly for women and marginalized communities in Liberia and across West Africa.

Key Themes and Insights

The panel explored several critical areas, including:

• – Strategies to increase women’s participation in STEM and digital innovation
• – Addressing gender-based barriers to digital access and opportunity
• – The role of inclusive policy, advocacy, and education in building a balanced tech ecosystem
• – Case studies of gender-responsive digital programs and innovation hubs in Liberia

Mohammed drew from GonetAfrica’s growing impact in professional development, emphasizing how Gonet Academy has prioritized access to digital training, especially for young women, through certificate and diploma programs in Microsoft Office, Data Analysis, QuickBooks, Web Development, and more.

Championing Inclusive Digital Transformation

In his remarks, Mohammed underscored that digital empowerment cannot be achieved without **intentional inclusion. He challenged stakeholders—government, academia, tech companies, and civil society—to actively design programs that remove barriers and support youth-led innovation.

“Digital inclusion must go beyond access—it must lead to transformation,” he said. “When we empower women and youth with skills and tools, we don’t just close gaps; we open doors to opportunity and national growth.”

Looking Ahead

Gonet Academy remains committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators who will drive digital transformation across Liberia and beyond. The Monrovia Tech Summit 2025 was more than an event—it was a movement toward equity, access, and empowerment through technology.