Starlink mulls Liberia launch after Musk meeting with President

Key Takeaways

Liberia's internet penetration is low, with only about 30% of its 5.3 million people having access to the internet at the start of the year. The average internet speed is also below the benchmark, with median fixed connection speeds around 7.14 MB/s as of early 2024. Additionally, the costs are high, with monthly fees for basic broadband averaging $2.63. In 2023, the lowest data price in the country was $1.67 per 1GB for 30 days, while the most expensive plan was $14.5, according to Statista data. The global average data price is $3.12. The telecom sector is dominated by Lonestar Cell MTN and Orange Liberia, which have struggled to expand their services to rural areas due to infrastructural and financial constraints. Despite efforts to improve connectivity, a significant digital divide remains, hampering socio-economic development.