Liberia Telecommunications Q1 2018

Liberia Telecommunications Q1 2018

BMI View: We have made minor forecast revisions in this annual update to account for the latest data but retain our positive outlook for the Liberian mobile markets and telecoms sector overall. Liberia had a mobile penetration rate of just 60% at the end of 2015, presenting strong growth opportunities. We estimate there was slow growth in 2016 and this will continue in 2017 as the market recovers from the effects of the Ebola crisis. Furthermore, a challenging economic environment in 2016 will lead to weaker GDP growth this year. Looking ahead, subscription growth in the mobile market will be driven by factors such as operators' promotional activities around basic voice services and the extension of network coverage to underserved areas. Long-term demand for broadband services offers the potential for mobile operators to capitalise on their investments in next-generation mobile infrastructure, leaving wireline services underdeveloped.