The Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) has announced that Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been granted a one-year provisional license to provide internet services throughout Liberia after both parties signed an agreement.
The announcement was made by the Acting Chairperson, LTA Board of Commissioners, Abdullah Kamara, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia on Thursday.
The satellite-based technology is expected to launch in the West African country in November.
Kamara said Starlink was selected over other potential providers because of Liberia’s low internet penetration, which currently stands at about 60 per cent. Starlink’s entry is seen as a potential solution to increase access, particularly in rural areas.
“The government’s goal is to push that number as close to 100 per cent as possible, and Starlink’s satellite technology makes that goal achievable,” he stated.
The licensing aligns with Liberia’s National ICT Policy, which aims to expand internet connectivity to underserved regions.
According to the LTA, discussions on affordable pricing are ongoing, with final costs for equipment and monthly data usage to be announced soon. The LTA will monitor Starlink’s services over the next year to ensure quality standards and consumer protection.
Starlink is currently operational in up to 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Kenya.
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