Monrovia, Liberia – April 2, 2025: The Liberian government, through the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL), has initiated urgent repair and rerouting operations on the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine fiber optic cable, the nation’s primary source of internet data transmission. This critical intervention comes after construction on a portion of the PHP Park allegedly caused significant damage to the cable’s landing site.
According to Henry Benson, CEO of CCL, the damage occurred during the administration of former President George Weah, despite repeated warnings from CCL and major telecommunications operators about the potential risks associated with construction activities in the cable’s landing zone. Benson told reporters that heavy tonnage of rocks were buried directly over the cable’s landing point, leading to its submersion and subsequent intermittent internet outages experienced by Liberians.
The situation has become increasingly critical, with ACE submarine cable leadership reportedly warning of a potential complete internet blackout for Liberia if immediate action was not taken.
In response, the current JNB administration has swiftly moved to address the issue by undertaking the complex task of rerouting the damaged cable. Benson, during a guarded tour of the affected site with journalists, commended the government’s prompt action to avert a potential national internet crisis.
As part of the repair process, an ACE cable repair vessel is scheduled to arrive in Liberia on April 23rd. The government will bear the cost of these emergency repairs. Following the ship’s arrival, Liberians are expected to experience intermittent disruptions to internet service for several days as the rerouting work is completed.
Acknowledging the anticipated disruptions, LTA Acting Commissioner Clarance Massaquoi assured the public that every effort is being made to minimize the impact. He stated that the LTA is providing backhaul authorization to service providers to ensure that internet access remains available throughout the repair period.
LTA Acting Chairman Abdullah Kamara echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the Authority’s commitment to ensuring continued internet access for the nation. He expressed gratitude to CCL for their extensive work in facilitating the rerouting of the crucial cable.
The ACE submarine cable first landed in Liberia on November 3, 2011, during the presidency of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital connectivity and economic development. The current damage underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the importance of careful planning and consideration of expert advice during development projects.
While the ACE cable remains Liberia’s primary internet gateway, alternative solutions like Starlink, which provides satellite-based internet, are now also available in the country, offering a degree of redundancy. However, the successful repair and rerouting of the ACE cable remain paramount for ensuring stable and affordable internet access for the majority of Liberians. The government’s decisive action reflects the urgency of the situation and the commitment to safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure.
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