Liberia Warns of Telecom Duopoly, Pushes for New Market Entrants

A salient Liberian official, Clarence Massaquoi, voiced beardown concerns astatine a caller Senate proceeding regarding the existent authorities of the nation’s telecommunications sector, informing that the dominance of MTN  and Orange  creates an astir a monopoly scenario. Massaquoi’s testimony, delivered connected July 22, 2025, highlighted the imaginable for unchecked pricing and stagnation successful work prime without accrued competition.

Drawing a stark comparison, Massaquoi pointed retired that a state similar The Gambia, with a smaller population, boasts implicit 2,000 profitable companies, suggesting ample country for much players successful Liberia. He cautioned that if the 2 ascendant GSM operators were to collude connected pricing, consumers would person lone 2 options and small recourse against precocious costs.

Board Proposes License Review to Pave Way for New Entrants

In effect to these concerns, Massaquoi, speaking connected behalf of his board, announced a decisive program to foster greater competition.

“It is the presumption of this committee that upon confirmation, we are going to inquire our technicians to springiness a database of frequency… to let 3rd subordinate oregon 4th subordinate to travel successful the market. When contention ensues successful a escaped marketplace system, it is believed that it volition impact prices downwards.”

–Clarence Massaquoi, Chairman (Acting), Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). 

Massaquoi besides revealed that immoderate companies clasp GSM licenses but person been inactive for astir 2 years, efficaciously warehousing invaluable frequencies. His committee is truthful determined that if these licensees neglect to commence operations wrong 2 years, a process volition beryllium initiated to retrieve them truthful that the authorities arsenic a full tin beryllium intentional successful creating a abstraction for a 3rd oregon 4th company. This bold determination aims to guarantee that invaluable spectrum is utilized to payment the nationalist done accrued work availability and competitory pricing.

Revitalizing LTC arsenic a Viable Alternative

The authoritative besides suggested a strategical attack for LTC  (Liberia Telecommunications Corporation), which helium noted has been perceived arsenic a liability owed to deficiency of superior and profitability. Massaquoi projected empowering LTC done a public-private concern oregon by allowing a caller marketplace entrant to get a stock successful the state-owned entity.

“If LTC was empowered to person a public-private concern oregon person a competing caller 3rd party, we judge determination volition beryllium an alternate to Orange and MTN, and erstwhile contention comes, each players volition combat to person a marketplace stock successful our caput that volition guarantee prime work connected the market.”

–Clarence Massaquoi, Chairman (Acting), Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). 

This dual strategy of introducing caller players and revitalizing existing entities aims to interruption the duopoly and guarantee amended prime of work for Liberian consumers.