In a race to prevent a nationwide internet blackout, the Liberian government, through the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL), has launched urgent repair works on the country’s only fiber optic cable. The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable, which provides Liberia’s primary internet connectivity, has been at risk following a controversial construction project initiated under the administration of former President George Weah.
According to CCL’s Chief Executive Officer Henry Benson, the construction of the PHP Park despite warnings from key telecommunications stakeholders directly impacted the cable’s landing site. He revealed that during the construction, large quantities of heavy rocks were placed over the cable, causing it to sink and disrupting connectivity. Since then, Liberians have endured frequent internet outages, with experts cautioning that a complete cutoff is imminent if no corrective measures are taken.
Benson emphasized that the urgency of the situation has prompted action from the administration of President Joseph Boakai, which has approved a rerouting of the cable to prevent further damage. As part of the process, an ACE cable repair ship is scheduled to arrive in Liberia on April 23 to conduct the necessary restoration work. However, he warned that internet services across the country would experience intermittent disruptions during the operation.
To mitigate the impact of the repair works, LTA Acting Commissioner Clarence Massaquoi assured the public that measures were being taken to maintain internet accessibility. He explained that service providers have been granted backhaul authorization, which will allow them to provide alternative data routes while the ACE cable is being fixed.
LTA Acting Chairman Abdullah Kamara also reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that internet services remain functional during the process. He acknowledged the extensive efforts of CCL in spearheading the repairs and pledged continued collaboration to safeguard Liberia’s digital infrastructure.
The ACE submarine cable first arrived in Liberia in 2011 under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, ushering in a new era of improved connectivity and economic expansion. While it remains the backbone of Liberia’s internet services, the growing presence of Starlink, a satellite-based internet provider, has provided an alternative means of access. However, the ACE cable remains critical for nationwide connectivity, making the ongoing repairs a top priority for the government and telecommunications operators.
