MONROVIA, Liberia — The 2026 Annual Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (AYEE) Summit has opened in Monrovia, bringing together young entrepreneurs, TVET graduates, government officials and development partners.
The two-day summit is being held under the theme, “From Skills to Enterprise,” and focuses on helping young people turn their skills into businesses.
The summit features business exhibitions, mentorship discussions, pitching competitions, networking and recognition of youth-led businesses.
The event also marks the official launch of Elevate Liberia, a program designed to help young Liberians move from technical training into entrepreneurship and sustainable businesses.
Emmanuel G. Mulbah, CEO of YOCEL and Chief Convener of the summit, said consultations with TVET students and institutions showed that many graduates have useful skills but lack access to financing, mentorship and other support needed to start businesses.
He said the gap is common among graduates in areas such as plumbing, carpentry and catering.
According to Mulbah, the first day of the summit focuses on business showcases and discussions with members of the entrepreneurship community. The second day will include pitching sessions, fireside discussions and networking.
The summit will end with the Wologizi Fund Awards, which will recognize selected youth-led businesses.
Speaking at the event, Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Chairman Clarence Massaquoi said limited job opportunities remain a major challenge for young Liberians.
Massaquoi said about 75 percent of Liberia’s population is 25 years old or younger, and encouraged young people to explore opportunities in agriculture, trade, commerce, engineering and technology.
He said digital technology has made it easier for young people to start and manage businesses using mobile phones and online platforms.
Massaquoi also disclosed that the LTA is working with the Ministry of Education to connect 156 public high schools to high-speed internet.
He said the authority has also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to establish 15 digital hubs across Liberia’s 15 counties.
According to Massaquoi, the LTA has committed more than US$200,000 to support the partnership.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Laraamand S. Nyonton, said the initiative supports the Boakai administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, particularly its focus on education and human capital development.
Nyonton said the ministry’s vocational training institutions, including the Monrovia Vocational Training Center and BWTVC, can train more than 2,500 young people per cycle in areas such as electricity, plumbing, sanitation, air conditioning and fabrication.
He said technical training must also prepare young people to create businesses rather than only look for jobs.
“When a young electrician or an auto mechanic transitions from seeking employment to opening a local workshop or service firm, they cease to be job seekers, they become job creators,” Nyonton said.
Nyonton later launched the Elevate Liberia program on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Minister Cornelia Kruah.
The program will provide young people with access to a business club, mentorship and seed financing through the Wologizi Seed Fund.
The initiative is supported by partners including the Education Development Center, Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
