Liberia Education Management Information System (EMIS) Peer Review Report

The Liberia Education Management Information System (EMIS) Peer Review was conducted on September 1–2, 2025, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) premises in Monrovia. Facilitated by AU-IPED through the KIX Africa 19 Hub, the exercise convened representatives from Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia, alongside development partners including UNESCO. The review highlighted Liberia’s transition from EMIS 1.0 (paper-based) to EMIS 2.0
(digitized and integrated). Political will is strong, but systemic challenges hinder progress. These include insufficient funding, weak policy and legal frameworks, inadequate ICT infrastructure, data gaps since 2022, and limited integration across sub-sectors. Interviews with MoE teams revealed shortcomings in data validation, staff capacity, and inter-departmental collaboration.

Peer countries shared practical lessons: Nigeria’s EMIS mandates each state allocate 1% of its education budget, with penalties for non-compliance to EMIS activities; Sierra Leone has geo-mapped all schools, introduced digital learner IDs, and partnered with community Chiefs to protect ICT infrastructure; The Gambia relies on mobile apps and toll-free SMS for data in low-connectivity areas. These innovations demonstrate practical pathways for Liberia.

This report consolidates findings, identifies systemic challenges, and provides recommendations aligned with AU EMIS Norms and Standards. It proposes an action plan with clear responsibilities and a three-year budget of USD 4.5 million to strengthen EMIS, enabling evidence-based planning, monitoring, and reporting for Liberia’s education sector.