Libya and the United States signed last Monday (5 October) a framework for strategic cooperation in the communications, information technology and technology sector – which Libya says is a qualitative step towards strengthening Libya’s position as a digital gateway between Europe and Africa.
The framework was signed in Washington, DC, between the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cybersecurity and Digital Policy, John Mills, and the head of Libya’s Tripoli based General Authority for Communications and Informatics, Abdel Baset Al-Baour.
The Authority said the step reflects the development of Libyan-American relations and opens new horizons for partnership in the technological and investment sectors.
It also said the it comes within the framework of the directives of the Prime Minister of the Tripoli based Libyan government, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, aimed at strengthening strategic relations with the United States of America, expanding international partnerships and attracting qualitative investments, Libya achieved an important step in the path of bilateral cooperation.
The framework covers cooperation in the areas of digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, cybersecurity, satellite communications, investment and technology transfer, in addition to institutional cooperation and international coordination.
The framework also opens horizons for enhancing Libya’s position as a strategic digital gateway linking Europe to Africa and benefiting from its geographical location in developing international connectivity and attracting major technological investments.
This signing represents an important achievement in the efforts of the Tripoli government to enhance Libyan presence internationally, consolidate the partnership with the United States of America, and transform Libya’s strategic potential into opportunities for development and investment in the digital economy.
This trend comes in line with the National Communications and Informatics Strategy 2023-2027, which aims to develop the digital infrastructure and enhance Libya’s position as a regional centre for communications and technology.
A significant step forward in US-Libya bilateral cooperation: Boulos
Commenting on the signing, Massad Boulos, Advisor to the U.S. President on Arab and African Affairs, stated that the signing of a telecommunications and 5G framework between the United States and Libya marks a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation.
In a tweet, Boulos explained that the framework—signed yesterday by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy and Libya’s General Authority for Communications and Informatics—aims to develop secure information and communication technology (ICT) systems, expand economic opportunities for both nations, and provide the telecommunications services sought by the Libyan people.
Boulos emphasized that the United States supports the development of secure, high-quality ICT infrastructure across Libya.