Liberia has launched a nationwide initiative to restore dormant rural mobile network sites in a move to reconnect underserved communities and strengthen digital inclusion efforts.
On May 5, 2025, the Universal Access Fund (UAF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), begun maintenance and reactivation of rural telephony base stations across the country.
A March assessment revealed that nine out of 12 supported sites in remote areas had been inactive for up to two years, leaving thousands without basic mobile services. A coordinated team of government officials, telecom technicians, and engineers will begin phased repairs in Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount counties.
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The mobile network sites were originally erected in isolated areas where private telecom operators had little commercial incentive to invest. “Like any business, telecom companies have focused their investments [on] large cities where they can earn the most profit. That has left many rural communities without service. The LTA has no legal tool to force operators to invest in these areas, especially when the costs of licenses and spectrum use are already high,” the UAF explained.
To ensure long-term success of rural telecom infrastructure, the government must prioritize sustainable planning, long-term funding, and regular site maintenance, particularly in off-grid areas where electricity access remains a challenge. With only 7.6% of rural Liberians having access to electricity, according to a GOGLA report backed by the World Bank, expanding power supply is essential.
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Additionally, safeguarding infrastructure from vandalism and theft will require robust protection systems to keep rural telecom towers operational.
This initiative seeks to restore both voice and data services, advancing the government’s mission to ensure equitable access to communication services nationwide.
