Digital Sovereignty and National Security in Liberia: Policy Gaps and Strategic Imperatives

Digital sovereignty has become a crucial factor in determining national security in a time when cyberspace has grown to be a crucial area of national interest.  Like many developing countries, Liberia has two challenges: protecting its information infrastructure from both domestic and international threats while utilizing digital technologies for socioeconomic development.  The landscape of digital sovereignty in Liberia is critically examined in this study, which also identifies enduring policy gaps that jeopardize the nation’s cybersecurity posture and general security.

Employing a qualitative analytical framework grounded in digital sovereignty theory and the realist perspective of international relations, the research evaluates the adequacy of existing legal, institutional, and regulatory mechanisms. The findings reveal that Liberia’s current policies lack comprehensive coverage, coordination, and enforcement mechanisms, leaving critical infrastructure and sensitive data exposed to cyber threats.

In response, the article suggests strategic imperatives that give top priority to strong legal frameworks, cybersecurity capacity building, interagency cooperation, and the incorporation of digital sovereignty concepts into national security planning.  The study emphasizes the need for a unified national strategy that balances technological autonomy with security requirements by highlighting these doable tactics, which will ultimately increase Liberia’s resilience to changing international cyber threats.

By offering a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between national security and digital sovereignty in the context of developing nations, this study advances both academic discussion and policymaking.