E-Government Development in Libya

Libya has several regulatory bodies responsible for various sectors of national ICT-development. Due to the evolving nature of Libya’s regulatory framework, some institutions may have overlapping mandates, leading to coordination challenges.

General Authority for Communications and Informatics (GACI)

GACI, formerly known as the Ministry of Communications and Informatics,  serves as the major government body that regulates telecommunication and information technology in Libya through laws, regulations, and monitoring compliance. GACI regulates Libya’s telecommunications, IT, and postal sectors. It drafts and enforces laws, manages spectrum allocation, issues licenses to all telecommunications companies in the country, sets pricing and service quality standards, and oversees network operations. GACI also promotes investment, supervises sector activities, ensures national security compliance, and represents Libya in international ICT forums. Additionally, it monitors competition, enforces regulations, and publishes sector-related reports. As of 2025, the president of authority is Abdul Basit Al-Baour.

 General Information Authority (GIA)

The GIA was established under the name “The National Information and Documentation Authority”, by decision No. (149), 1993, of the General People’s Committee. Its name was changed to the General Information Authority in 2006, by decision No. (282), in reorganizing the General Information Authority. In post-Gaddafi Libya, according to decision No. (91), of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, the Authority has been reorganized in a way that reflects its strategic objectives, and qualifies it to keep pace with internal and external developments and changes. Under this decision, the GIA has been assigned new tasks, concerned with implementing provisions of laws related to the nature and area of its work; the development of national plans and policies, and follow-up on its implementation. As of now, it serves as the national authority outlining information, data, and documentation systems in Libya by providing frameworks, provisions, and strategies. The Authority is a juridical person, and has independent financial liability. GIA, among other matters, focuses on improving digital services and ensuring interoperability between government systems. Its key functions include promoting data sharing across agencies, supporting digital transformation, and managing national databases. E-governance is also among authority’ duties as it manages the existing Libya’s official e-portal and ejraat website. Within its organizational structure, e-governance initiatives are primarily managed by the Digital Transformation Management and Digital Services division. 

 The chairman of the authority is Abdul Basit Al-Baour who also heads the General Authority for Communications and Informatics.

 National Information Security & Safety Authority (NISSA)

NISSA was established by a decree  №28 on January 22 in 2013 by the Ministerial Council of the State of Libya. Among its duties are safeguarding the integrity and availability of information technology infrastructure, resources, services, and data in Libya. Besides, NISSA is authorized to issue a Practicing Permit, an official document granted to companies or individuals with competence in cybersecurity and informatics and authorizes them to provide the services specified in this decision to those in need within Libya.  As of 2025, the Director General of the authority is Salahuddin Abu Zaid Al-Tabini.

Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Company (LPTIC)

LPTIC is a state-owned telecom, information technology, and post services holding, supporting the Libyan knowledge-based economy by modernizing and strengthening ICT infrastructure. One of the major ongoing e-governance initiatives in Libya, Dawlati project, which aims to become the one-stop shop portal for digital services in the country is being developed by LPTIC. 

 The current Board Chairman of LPTIC is Muhammad Ibrahim bin Ayyad.

LPTIC includes 9 companies, which includes:

–The Libyan International Telecom Company (LITC)

Responsible for managing the international network. Co-owner of 4 submarine cables running through Libya (Europe India Gateway, Libya Fiber Optic Network, Libya-Italy, Silphium). 

– Libya Telecom & Technology (LTT)

State-owned internet provider,  accounting for much of Libya’s internet penetration, largely thanks to its DSL and 4G services.

–al-Bounya Investment

State-owned company responsible for deploying and maintaining Libya’s telecommunications infrastructure. It owns real estate in the telecommunications sector, including communication towers across the country.

–Hatif Libya

Responsible for the development and operation of fixed-line and wireless telephone services and related ground infrastructure.  

–Aljeel Aljadeed

Responsible for modernizing Libya’s digital infrastructure and enhancing internet connectivity in the country. 

–Libyan Academy (LATI)

The Libyan Academy for Communications and Informatics operates as a national educational entity specializing in training, development, and technical consulting for the telecommunications sector.

– Libya Post

The mobile market is divided between two state-owned operators that are part of LPTIC: –Libyana and Almadar Aljadid.

Supreme e-Government Committee

In 2023, Prime Minister of Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah issued Decision №332 to establish a Supreme e-Government Committee headed by Walid al-Lafi, Minister of State for Communications and Political Affairs to follow-up on e-Governance projects and provide strategic guidance for them. Committee is responsible for the general overseeing of the launch of an upcoming Dawlati platform which is designed to become a one-stop shop portal for public services in Libya. 

Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Law

Law No. 5 of 2022 on Combating Cybercrimes, enacted by the Libyan House of Representatives on September 27, 2022, establishes a legal framework to prevent, investigate, and penalize cyber-related offenses.  

The law defines cybercrimes broadly, covering activities such as hacking, identity theft, online fraud, unauthorized access to information systems, and cyber terrorism. It also criminalizes the spread of false information, cyber harassment, and the misuse of personal data. To enhance cybersecurity, the law mandates stricter controls on digital communications, requiring service providers to cooperate with authorities in monitoring and investigating cyber offenses. It also prescribes penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime.  

Decision No. 150 of 2024 on Regulating the Activity of Practicing Cybersecurity Services, enacted by the Minister of Economy and Trade, establishes a regulatory framework for practicing cybersecurity services within Libya. This decision, grounded in various legal precedents and the formation of the Government of National Unity, sets forth definitions, requirements for practicing permits, and operational standards for service providers in the cybersecurity domain. It underscores the importance of regularizing cybersecurity services by mandating valid practicing permits for service provision and renewal of commercial licenses, thereby ensuring the alignment of cybersecurity operations with national standards and legal requirements.

Data Privacy Law

Currently, there is no specific data protection or data privacy law in Libya. While Libyan Law does not explicitly provide a specific definition for personal data, the National Information Security and Safety Authority Policy Manual offers a comprehensive understanding of personal information, categorizing it into three distinct categories (Confidential Data, Sensitive Data, Public Data). It is worth noting however that NISSA policies are only binding on the public sector at the moment, rather than the private sector.

Electronic Signature Law

Law No. 6 of 2022 on Electronic Transactions, enacted by the Libyan House of Representatives on October 4, 2022, establishes the legal framework for electronic signatures in Libya.  The law recognizes electronic signatures as legally valid and equivalent to handwritten signatures, provided they meet specific requirements. The electronic signature is valid if it fulfills the following conditions:

1. It is unique to the person who used it.
2. It identifies the owner of the signature.
3. The information for creating the signature and the method of its use are entirely under the control of the owner of the signature.
4. No change has occurred in the electronic transaction since the electronic signature was applied; and after signing, it is void if any of the conditions stated in this article are not met.

The law also introduces electronic authentication certificates, which verify the identity of the signature owner. These certificates are issued by authorized certification service providers, who are responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of electronic signatures.  

AI Regulations

On January 29, 2025, the Libyan Council of Ministers issued Decision No. 40, approving the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. This program aims to enhance government efficiency through AI, support digital innovation, build governmental capacities in AI and digital transformation, and develop state-level digital transformation policies. The development and implementation of the program is under the supervision of the Government Communication Center, which in turn is under the authority of the Minister of State for Communications and Political Affairs. 

In Libya, the implementation of electronic tax systems, online tax filing, and tax management systems is still in its nascent stages. The country has been making efforts to modernize its tax administration to improve efficiency and compliance. The digitalization of Libya’s tax system is driven by multiple initiatives, with France through Expertise France playing a pivotal role through the PAMRI project. A series of workshops and expert consultations have been conducted to enhance Libya Tax Authority’s (LTA) ability to handle large taxpayers. These efforts were complemented by a visit of the LTA delegation to Paris to observe the French tax system’s modernization.

In April, 2024, on request of LTA , the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducted technical assistance for tax administration with a central focus on digitalization of paper-based systems and redesigning income tax forms to align with international standards. A key observation was that LTA tax forms were poorly defined and unable to support data capture and processing. As a result, Middle East Regional Technical Assistance Center (METAC), IMF’ regional venture, provided a road map for implementation of an integrated tax administration system (ITAS) as well as advice on digitization preparedness. The exact implications of both of these partnerships are yet to be implemented. 

 Identification and Biometrics

Libya has undertaken several initiatives to modernize its identification systems, focusing on the adoption of digital and biometric passports as well as the digitalization of the citizens’ registry. However, the full-scale adoption of such measures is yet to be implemented. 

In February 2013, the Libyan government unveiled a new biometric passport linked to the National Identity Number system. This initiative aimed to enhance security and streamline identification processes. However, the actual issuance of these passports was delayed, and when they were eventually released, they did not contain biometric data. In May 2015, plans were announced by the National ID Number Authority to introduce an online passport application system by June of that year. This project ultimately was not implemented, as subsequent developments indicate that Libya continued its efforts aimed at modernizing the nation’s passport system.

In November 2020, the Libyan government signed a MoU with the French company IDEMIA to establish a biometric digital ID system, however this partnership was ultimately aborted. 

In March 2021, HID Global, US-based manufacturer of identity products (subsidiary of Swedish company Assa Abloy) announced the development of Libya’s first diplomatic and special ePassport program. HID provided the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with HID Integrale™, a secure end-to-end solution that manages the entire ePassport lifecycle.

 By December 2023, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah directed the implementation of an electronic passport system, including biometric passports and electronic ID cards. This directive emphasized the need to eliminate manual data entry at border points and ensure machine-readable systems.

 In September 2024, Prime Minister Dbeibah reviewed the “Intilaqa” project, which focuses on matching civil registry electronic data with paper records. This project aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of citizens’ data, which is crucial for the successful implementation of digital identity systems.

The National Strategy for Communications and Information Technology in Libya (2023–2027) highlights the need to establish a centralized digital government services portal (One-Stop Shop Portal). However, detailed information on an already existing system is not provided, as the initiative is still in the development and implementation phase. The strategy outlines key steps for the implementation, creation of a unified login system (via national ID card or mobile phone), introduction of national electronic ID, use of electronic signatures. The portal will offer different services for citizens, such as document issuance, social welfare access, tax and fine payments, registration of a person. For businesses the portal should give an opportunity to register a company, access to tenders and public procurement and pay taxes. The existing webpage ejraat, launched in 2021 by General Information Authority as a part of EU4PSL project, offers instructions to complete administrative procedures. The step-by-step guides are provided and completed with pictures, addresses of administrative offices and form fill-out instructions. Also the total waiting time to complete a registration or to pay taxes is shown, as well as the fee. Website interface is available in both Arabic and English, however, the tutorial videos are only in Arabic. Interface is simple and easy to navigate as there are not so many functions.

Apart from the ejraat, there have been other initiatives by various government’s agencies to establish a similar platform. 

Source: ejraat

Another version of the one-stop-shop portal is available on the General Information Authority website, which redirects users to a separate digital portal for electronic services. The portal is divided into sections for Digital Services, Administrative Services, Financial Services, and Technical Services. However, the exact list of available services is not visible. Currently, website does not functioning. 

The General Authority for Communications and Informatics website also features a section dedicated to the digital government services portal. However, all of the links are inactive, and the content is presented in future tense, indicating that services will be available at a later time. 

Source: General Authority for Communications and Informatics (GACI)

One of the most promising editions of the one-stop shop portal in Libya is an upcoming “Dawlati”(my state from Arabic) platform. It was announced in May, 2024 by the Government of National Unity saying the platform aims to submit documents electronically, to facilitate government transactions for citizens, within the government’s plan for digital transformation. As of January, 2025, the platform is in its final-stage of development, however the exact date of the launch is unknown. According to the Libyan media outlet al-Marsad, the services that will be provided to the public during the first stage of the platform’s launch, include issuance of birth certificates, certificates of residence, marital status and registration of death certificates. 

In 2024 General Authority for Communications and informatics launched a  “Tawasul” (mutual communication from Arabic) platform to receive citizens’ complaints directly about telecommunications services. The platform allows individuals to submit requests, track progress, and receive responses in a digital format, eliminating the need for in-person visits to government offices.

Source: Tawasul

 As of now, Libya is still in the early stages of developing its e-justice systems, as outlined in the National Strategy for Communications and Information Technology in Libya (2023–2027). However, some progress has already been made. For example, the EU supports Libyan authorities in strengthening the juvenile justice system. One initiative, the “Developing Juvenile Justice in Libya” project, aims to establish a legal framework that fully protects juveniles in contact with the law and ensures alignment with international standards.

A key effort in advancing digital access to legal information in Libya is the work of the Law Society of Libya, a non-profit civil society organization dedicated to digitally archiving and publishing Libyan legislation. Since its establishment on February 22, 2022, the Law Society has been working to provide organized and accessible legal resources. Users can access a vast collection of Libyan laws, constitutional amendments, regulations, legal implementation decisions, legislative bills, official gazettes, circulars, and directives through its website.

Most of the content is published in Arabic, with some documents translated to English. However, the Law Society plans to expand its multilingual offerings to include French, Italian, Turkish, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, and Swahili, ensuring broader accessibility for legal professionals and researchers worldwide.

Libya has faced significant challenges during recent elections and in response to these challenges there have been academic and practical initiatives exploring the implementation of electronic voting (e-voting) systems. One such study presents case analysis of blockchain technology, proposing a framework tailored for Libya’s context but the system is not available in Libya yet. 

In 2021 a pilot e-elections project was launched which was designed to allow voter registration via SMS, and used the Civil Registry database to automatically confirm voter information. The project was originally scheduled for December 2021 but postponed till 2023 and not fully implemented eventually. In August 2024, the High National Elections Commission launched the electronic verification mechanism to verify the identity of the voter as part of the procedures for the municipal council elections process, coinciding with the process of receiving the (voter) card that began yesterday, Sunday. This step, according to the Elections Commission, came within the framework of the Commission’s efforts to develop the electoral process according to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, as the project targeted 4 municipalities as a first phase: Zliten, al-Sabi’a, Barqan, and al-Abraq. 

As of now, there is limited publicly available information regarding the implementation of a Data Exchange Layer or Government Service Bus (GSB) in Libya. In December 2022, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah approved a strategic plan to establish a secure government network for data exchange. But the practical implementation of a Government Service Bus—a centralized middleware that enables seamless communication and data sharing between various government systems—has not been widely reported.

Most of the ICT solutions in the field of education are found in the private sector. For example, ADDRUS E-LEARNING – Libyan platform offers remote learning opportunities for students from the first grade to the second secondary grade. It provides educational lessons through organized and scheduled video clips aligned with the Libyan curriculum. Another example is 7ESSA Platform – an electronic Libyan platform for distance learning developed in partnership with Lnet, one the largest private internet providers in the country.   7ESSA allows learners to access training content from anywhere. Furthermore, there is a Libyan E-Learning Portal – a comprehensive electronic system that facilitates communication among all participants of the educational process, including teachers, parents, students, and administrators. It provides a platform for interaction at any time and from any place through the school’s website, ensuring secure access to personal educational data.

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the healthcare system in Libya is still at nascent stages. The Libyan Ministry of Health has initiated the National Comprehensive Health Care Programme, which also provisions digital transformation in healthcare. This includes the implementation of electronic health records and the activation of a referral system from primary health care centers to hospitals. Additionally, the Telemedicine Initiative for Libya (TI4L), a public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Health and Speetar, is part of a broader evolving digital healthcare strategy for the country.

Telehealth is also popular in Libya as the population of remote areas does not have access to offline medicine. The Libyan Society for eHealth and Telemedicine is dedicated to promoting and encouraging the development of a national eHealth and telemedicine system. Furthermore, private sector platforms like Altibbi have collaborated with local entities to provide telehealth services. In partnership with Libyana Mobile Phone Company, Altibbi offers health advice and medical information to users, facilitating thousands of medical consultations daily.  The National Comprehensive Health Care Programme focuses on implementing electronic health records and activating referral systems to streamline patient care. There are also some plans to introduce EMRs and online platforms for making appointments, but the implementation is not in process yet.

ICT Solutions are yet to be implemented in agriculture. The first steps were made in March 2023 at the First Conference on Digital Agriculture as this conference attracted over 230 specialists. Discussions centered on leveraging advanced technologies to improve agricultural practices and address challenges unique to Libya’s environment. In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture deliberated on a proposal aiming for the digital transformation of the agriculture and livestock sectors by 2030. 

The General Information Authority launched an updated version of the government bidding and procurement platform in March 2024. This platform titled al-Eata’at (tenders from Arabic) enhances digital participation among government agencies, facilitating accurate and swift completion of procurement procedures. The platforms offer up-to-date information on all available public tenders with attached PDF-files with full description of the tender. The website is available in Arabic only. 

Source: al-Eata’at 

Additionally, the Commercial Registry Authority announced plans to launch an online Commercial Registry System. However, there is still no such option. 

Libya’s political divisions since 2011 have created a governance vacuum, hindering the consistent implementation of digital transformation initiatives. The National Strategy for Communications and Information Technology (2023–2027) faces challenges in execution due to competing administrative authorities in the east and west, which prioritize short-term stability over long-term ICT investments. For example, the proposed government service bus—a centralized platform for interagency data exchange—remains unimplemented despite approval in 2022, reflecting systemic coordination failures. The digital infrastructure is characterized by uneven internet penetration, with urban centers like Tripoli and Benghazi enjoying relatively stable connectivity, while southern regions face serious limitations. The First Conference on Digital Agriculture (2023) highlighted poor internet access in southern municipalities and potential slowdown in innovations like AI-driven crop management. The enactment of Cybercrime Law No. 5 of 2022 shows progress in addressing hacking and identity theft, however broader legislation on data privacy and electronic transactions remains underdeveloped. Prior to that, Libya had the highest rate of mobile malware infections in the world according to the 2017 Infocyte report and further development of cybersecurity regulations are of top-priority.  Besides, enforcement mechanisms remain weak, with limited capacity to prosecute cybercriminals. Critical sectors like healthcare and education are particularly vulnerable; for instance, the Libyan E-Learning Portal lacks encryption protocols, risking student data breaches. The Law Society of Libya’s digital archive, while pioneering, has faced phishing attacks targeting its legislative databases.  Resistance to digitalization persists due to a lack of awareness and mistrust in electronic systems. In southern Libya, initiatives like the Sabha Digital Academy encounter skepticism, as communities perceive digital tools as threats to traditional employment. “Fear of the unknown” drives reluctance among bureaucrats to adopt e-government platforms, scared of job displacement. This is compounded by low digital literacy; only 35% of Libyans outside major cities can navigate basic online services. 

The Commercial Registry Authority’s delayed launch of an online registration system underscores institutional inertia. Such inefficiencies deter foreign investment; market authorization for pharmaceuticals, for example, requires navigating multiple offline offices, prolonging approval times to over 1 in 8 months. 

Libya’s oil-dependent economy struggles to allocate sufficient funds for ICT projects, with only 2% of the national budget dedicated to digital infrastructure. The 2024 Ministry of Agriculture proposal for agricultural digitization by 2030 lacks a clear funding mechanism, risking stagnation. Meanwhile, currency fluctuations and banking instability deter private investors from financing startups like 7ESSA, an e-learning platform. 

Prioritizing infrastructure investment is critical. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could accelerate the deployment of fiber-optic networks and 5G towers, modeled after collaborations like Altibbi’s telehealth services with Libyana Mobile. At the same time, the government should operationalize the approved secure government network for data exchange, integrating blockchain technology to ensure transparency in procurement and public service delivery. Pilot projects, such as the blockchain-based e-voting framework proposed by Libyan researchers, could be scaled to create decentralized administrative systems resistant to political interference. 

A different approach is needed to fortify cybersecurity. Adopting a National Cybersecurity Strategy and implementing robust legal frameworks developed by experts trained in collaboration with leading international organizations, could lay a foundation for further development of the area. Mandatory audits for public-sector ICT systems, coupled with certifications like ISO/IEC 27001, would enforce compliance with data protection standards. Additionally, integrating cybersecurity modules into university curricula, particularly in southern institutions like Sabha Digital Academy—can cultivate a skilled workforce to address evolving threats. 

Nationwide campaigns are essential to shift public approach towards digitization. Partnering with influencers and religious leaders to promote digital tools’ benefits could enhance acceptance. For instance, telehealth platforms like Speetar have gained traction by collaborating with local clinics to demonstrate remote consultations’ efficacy. The Sabha Digital Academy’s proposal for innovation awards could motivate youth participation in ICT projects, fostering grassroots engagement. 

Libya should use its strategic geographical position and fairly well-developed connectivity and ICT-infrastructure to attract foreign investment. Domestically, reallocating fuel subsidies to ICT development, a move proposed by the Ministry of Finance in 2023—could generate USD 500 mln.  annually for broadband expansion.

Knowledge-sharing section

al-Eata’at

Libya’s government bidding and procurement platform, al-Eata’at represents a significant leap in Libya’s public procurement processes. Designed to streamline government procurement, it enhances efficiency and transparency by offering real-time updates on public tenders. With easy access to detailed PDFs and sectional division by the bidder, al-Eata’at ensures a faster, more accurate procurement process. The platform also provides all necessary information related to the public procurement legislation in the country. 

Tawasul 

Tawasul platform is designed to enable citizens to submit and track complaints about telecommunications services.  It allows digital submissions and responses, eliminating the need for in-person visits.

The analysis of Libyan e-government platforms shows that solutions for tax digitalization,digital ID and establishment of a one-stop shop portal tend to be the most promising areas for the development of digital services in the country.

One-stop shop portal

Rwanda’s Irembo platform

Rwanda’s Irembo is an online platform that provides access to government services such as land registration, permits, and licensing. The emphasis on a single portal for multiple services encourages efficiency and transparency. Irembo was launched in 2015 in partnership with Irembo, a private Kigali-based company. Through the Irembo platform Rwandans now can access 89 public services via mobile devices or desktops. The portal provides Government to Citizen (G2C), Government to Business (G2B), and Government to Government (G2G) services.

e-Taxes

Kenya’s iTax

iTax is a system introduced by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to simplify tax payment in Kenya. iTax allows users to update tax registration details, file tax returns using Microsoft Excel or Open Office, register all tax payments and monitor the application status.

Identification and Biometrics

Fayda digital ID 

The Fayda Digital ID system is a pivotal component of Ethiopia’s digital transformation, offering a range of features that enhance service delivery and security. Its implementation presents valuable lessons for regional partners aiming to develop or refine their digital identification frameworks. The system employs biometric data, including fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scans, to verify identities, thereby reducing fraud and enhancing security. The integration of Fayda with banking services promotes financial inclusion by simplifying the process of opening bank accounts and conducting transactions, particularly for previously unbanked populations. Linking Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs) with Fayda IDs has improved the quality of tax data, enhanced compliance monitoring, and expanded the tax base. Fayda’s witness-based registration system ensures that lack of traditional identification documents does not exclude individuals from obtaining a digital ID, promoting social inclusion.

Authors:

Mikhail Golubtsov

Nikolay Golovko