A Short Note on Corruption in Telecommunications in Liberia

Liberia endured military warlords, dictatorships and civil war, before entering a period of post-conflict transition and successful elections. It continues to have significant problems with corruption. Despite these problems, mobile network operators have been able to develop their networks and businesses, covering much of the country and now connected to an undersea cable. However, the first mobile licence was granted to cronies of Charles Taylor, warlord and now war criminal, with serious allegations that he owned part of the company (i.e. rent seeking). Three further licences were granted under obscure circumstances hinting at further corruption. Attempts to revive the state-owned fixed operator saw bribes paid by a manufacturer to supply equipment. The head of the regulatory authority has been found guilty of theft. He had, over a number of years, treated its revenues as his own