Elon Musk, CEO of Starlink, and Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai recently held a virtual meeting to talk about the prospective establishment of a satellite Internet service provider in the nation.
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.
Musk emphasised at the discussion the value of Starlink, which has operations in over ten African nations, and its capacity to assist with healthcare and education-related projects. He mentioned that access to the internet might boost vital sectors and empower rural communities.
Read also: Starlink sees 10X user growth in Kenya in under a year
Empowering Liberia's YouthThrough Technology
President Boakai highlighted the vital role technology plays in empowering Liberia's youthful population, who make up a significant portion of the country's demographic. He emphasised that technology has the potential to transform key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and finance, leading to improved productivity and economic growth.
To fully harness the benefits of technology, President Boakai stressed the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, civil society, and international partners. By working together, Liberia can enhance service delivery across the country, ensuring that citizens have access to quality services and opportunities.
By prioritising technology and collaboration, Liberia can unlock its potential for sustainable development and create a brighter future for its youthful population.
Remarkably, these gatherings have come before Starlink's introduction in other African nations. President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana met with representatives from SpaceX, the firm that created Starlink, in May 2024 since they had indicated interest in securing an operational licence in Botswana.
In February 2024, the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) rejected Starlink's initial application for a licence and banned it before this meeting. However, a few weeks after the meeting, Botswana granted Starlink a licence to operate.
Read also: Sierra Leone licences Starlink, becomes 5th African nation on the network
Starlink's African Expansion Overcomes Initial Rejection
Botswana isn’t the only African country that has granted Starlink an operational licence after initially rejecting it. Zimbabwe and Ghana have also approved Starlink after initially deeming it illegal.
Starlink has received approval from 11 African nations, and more are anticipated this year. If the meeting between Elon Musk and the president of Liberia culminates in a launch, Liberia will join other West African nations where Starlink is now active, such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.
Internet penetration in Liberia is still in its early phases. With 1.65 million Internet subscribers as of early 2024, it stood at 30.1%. To improve connectivity across the nation, Starlink hopes to bring its services to even the most remote areas.
