MONROVIA, Liberia — Orange Liberia has launched its fifth-generation (5G) mobile network, with company officials describing the technology as an opportunity to improve internet connectivity, support business growth, and advance Liberia’s digital transformation.
The launch was held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the iCON 16 Conference Hall in Monrovia, bringing together telecommunications officials and government representatives.
Speaking at the event, Orange Liberia Chief Executive Officer Jean YAO Marius said the investment in 5G was intended to support Liberia’s digital transformation goals.
He thanked the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) for creating the policies and regulatory framework needed to support technological innovation.
“Digital transformation will not be possible if we don’t have world-class connectivity,” Marius said, adding that 5G could give businesses, individuals, and entrepreneurs opportunities to innovate and contribute to the country’s economy.
He described the investment as a sign of Orange’s confidence in Liberia’s future and its commitment to the country’s digital transformation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Information Daniel Sando raised concerns about limited internet access in Liberia.
Sando cited Geo Facebook data indicating that Liberia’s online penetration rate stands at 32.2 percent. He said a large portion of the population still lacks internet access, even as the government focuses on decentralization.
His remarks highlighted the challenge of ensuring that advances in telecommunications benefit people beyond areas where network services are readily available.
LTA Board Chairman Clarence Massaquoi welcomed the launch, describing it as a moment when a technology once seen as part of the future had become a reality.
“Technology is a super highway that, as a country, we shouldn’t stop at anything,” Massaquoi said.
He said the regulator was prepared to help create an environment that supports the expansion and strengthening of telecommunications services. He also expressed hope that demand for improved connectivity would grow across the country.
Massaquoi acknowledged that network expansion is often driven by business demand but said the regulator was willing to support efforts to improve services for Liberians, regardless of where they live.
Orange Liberia Chief Marketing Officer Jean Christophe Bobda said 5G could help small businesses grow and improve their operations.
He explained that customers would need a compatible 5G device, access to a 5G coverage area, and activation through the Maxit app to use the service.
Orange Liberia Chief Technology Officer Greg Cardoza said customers would not need to change their SIM cards to access 5G.
He explained that compatible devices would connect to the network when users entered a 5G coverage area, allowing them to experience improved connectivity.
Orange Liberia Business-to-Business Director Josephine Akinrele noted that 5G was a new technology and was not yet available everywhere.
The launch also highlighted the potential role of telecommunications in creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. Improved connectivity could help businesses use digital tools, reach customers, and improve their services. However, the extent of these benefits will depend on network coverage and customers’ ability to afford compatible devices and internet services.
Although the launch marks a new development in Liberia’s telecommunications sector, expanding access to the service remains important, particularly in areas where internet access is limited. Wider coverage and affordable services will be key to ensuring that more Liberians benefit from the technology.
