- Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. recently engaged in a virtual meeting with Elon Musk, CEO of Starlink, to discuss the potential launch of the satellite Internet service provider in the country.
- President Boakai invited the SpaceX founder and his team to visit the West African nation, affirming his administration's commitment to ongoing engagement and collaboration.
At the meeting, Musk underscored the significance of Starlink, which operates in more than 10 African countries, and highlighted its potential to support initiatives in education and healthcare. He noted that internet connectivity could empower rural communities and drive progress in essential sectors.
President Boakai also stressed the importance of technology for Liberia's youthful population and key sectors, emphasising the need for collaboration to enhance service delivery across the country.
Notably, such meetings have preceded the launch of Starlink in other African countries. In May 2024, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi met with SpaceX executives, the company behind Starlink, as they had expressed interest in obtaining an operational licence in the country.
Before this meeting, in February 2024, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) had rejected Starlink's initial application for a licence and banned it. However, a few weeks after the meeting, Botswana granted Starlink a licence to operate.
But Botswana isn’t the only African country to grant Starlink an operational licence after initially rejecting it. Zimbabwe and Ghana have also approved Starlink after initially deeming it illegal.
11 African countries have approved Starlink, with more expected to follow this year. Should the meeting between the Liberian President and Elon Musk result in a launch, Liberia will join other West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, where Starlink is already operational.
Liberia's Internet penetration is still in its developing stages. As of early 2024, it was at 30.1%, with 1.65 million Internet users. However, Starlink aims to extend its services to even the most remote areas, potentially enhancing connectivity throughout the country.
