Liberia is considering licensing Amazon’s Project Kuiper as a competitor to Starlink. The plan aims to reduce internet costs and serve as a pioneering ground for satellite broadband in Africa.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) announced yesterday that it is reviewing licensing regulations to permit additional satellite providers, including Amazon, to transform internet connectivity in the country.
Following a meeting with Sara Horner, the Political and Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy in Monrovia, the LTA stated that its licensing review is part of broader efforts to enhance Liberia’s telecommunications framework.
Starlink, a service by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, officially launched in Liberia in January 2025. It charges between US$40 and US$50 per month, with equipment costs set at US$390. While Starlink has improved connectivity, particularly in rural regions, regulators believe increased competition could lower prices and enhance the quality of service.
“Broadening the range of service providers gives Liberians more choices. We are dedicated to modernising our telecom framework to make broadband more affordable and accessible for everyone,” the LTA said.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to deploy 3,232 low-Earth orbit satellites, with global commercial services projected to commence by late 2025. The multinational technology firm, founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos, aims to connect schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities that lack reliable internet access.
According to Business Research Insights, the global low-Earth orbit satellite market was valued at US$5.43 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$31.15 billion by 2033, at an annual growth rate of 21.4%.
Liberia believes establishing itself early in this sector will attract investment and foster digital development in a country where only 1.84 million people, approximately 32.4% of the population, are online.
The competition in the African telecommunications sector is intensifying, with Vodacom, through its parent company Vodafone, already collaborating with Amazon to extend Project Kuiper’s satellites for enhanced 4G and 5G coverage.
“Partnering with Project Kuiper opens up exciting opportunities to extend our reach to underserved communities,” said Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy earlier this year.
Introducing Project Kuiper would give Liberia access to reliable, affordable internet. US Embassy officials in Monrovia have pledged to support Liberia’s efforts to collaborate with Amazon, reflecting Washington’s strong diplomatic backing for the country’s digital development goals.
