OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Liberia Network Operators Group (LrNOG)
On the Executive Request to De-Ratify the LTA–TIA Concession Agreement for Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring
The Liberia Network Operators Group (LrNOG) – a non-partisan community of network engineers, operators, ICT professionals, and infrastructure experts – has taken note of Executive Order No. 154, issued on 31 October 2025, suspending the contract between the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and Telecom International Alliance (TIA) for Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring Services. We also acknowledge the subsequent communication from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. to the National Legislature, requesting de-ratification of the related Concession Agreement following investigative findings by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the LTA Board of Commissioners, which identified serious statutory, procedural, and procurement violations in the award and extension of the contract.
As a technical community that cares deeply about the stability, security and openness of Liberia’s networks, LrNOG supports the decision to suspend and review the LTA–TIA agreement and supports the call for de-ratification where a contract is found to be tainted by:
• Non-compliance with the Public Procurement and Concessions Act
• Bypassing of required legal procurement processes
• Questionable vendor incorporation and due diligence timelines
• Unjustified changes in revenue-share and contract duration
• Evidence of fraud that renders the contract void ab initio
At the same time, LrNOG recognizes that telecommunications traffic monitoring and anti-fraud systems can play a legitimate role in:
• Curbing grey traffic and SIM-box fraud
• Enhancing government revenue assurance
• Improving quality of service and network integrity
LrNOG’s position is two-fold we support efforts to curb telecom fraud and revenue leakage, but insist that any monitoring system be procured lawfully, governed transparently, and designed to protect privacy, data security, and network integrity. International guidance—such as ITU-T M.3362 and GSR regulatory principles—underscores the need for transparent procurement, accountable oversight, and clear institutional roles. GSMA best practice further requires a lawful and proportionate framework, strong oversight and audit trails, data minimization, retention limits, and public transparency wherever possible. Examples from African regulators, including Rwanda’s RURA, show that traffic-verification systems can be implemented under clear regulations that safeguard user rights while addressing fraud.
Based on publicly available information, LrNOG notes several major concerns: the contract appears to have violated the PPCC Act with key procurement steps bypassed; TIA was incorporated only days after receiving bid documents and registered in Liberia months after the award, raising doubts about due diligence, capacity, and eligibility; the revenue share reportedly increased from 35% to 49% and the concession was extended for 20 years without demonstrated value for money; and investigations by the GAC and LACC indicate fraud and serious irregularities. Collectively, these issues create significant legal uncertainty, financial exposure, and technical and reputational risks for Liberia’s telecom sector.
Modern telecom monitoring systems are not typical commercial contracts—they involve critical infrastructure and data-governance choices. Globally, regulators must conduct DPIAs, enforce data-minimization and retention limits, apply strong encryption and access controls, ensure data residency, and establish independent oversight for any lawful interception. LrNOG stresses that any future monitoring effort must fit within a strong national data-protection and cybersecurity framework aligned with AU and ECOWAS standards. To move forward, LrNOG recommends a transparent, PPCC-compliant re-tendering process if a new system is considered, with open competition, clear evaluation criteria, and publicly accessible contract terms. Vendors should demonstrate proven technical capacity, financial soundness, and adherence to ITU, ETSI and GSMA standards. Any monitoring system must be grounded in legislation defining its scope, safeguards, oversight, and remedies, with contracts reviewed every 3–5 years instead of long-term concessions. LrNOG also calls for a Telecom Monitoring Oversight Forum—including the LTA, key ministries, operators, LrNOG, cybersecurity experts, and civil society—to ensure continuous, multi-stakeholder governance, review technical and DPIA reports, and publish annual transparency summaries.
LrNOG further highlights the need for strong technical and security safeguards, including alignment with ITU-T M.3362 and relevant ETSI/3GPP standards for lawful interception and retained data, mandatory independent security audits and penetration testing before deployment and periodically thereafter, and strict requirements for operators and vendors to maintain updated security policies, incident-response plans, and reporting obligations. Equally important is investing in local capacity by training Liberian engineers, regulators, and auditors to ensure monitoring systems are fully understood and locally managed, while promoting knowledge sharing with African regulators and Network Operator Groups that have successfully implemented transparent, rights-respecting monitoring frameworks.
“Telecom monitoring, when done right, protects national revenue and network integrity. When done wrong, it erodes public trust, weakens systems, and exposes citizens to risk. Liberia must choose the path of lawful, transparent, rights-respecting digital governance. — Peterking Quaye, Head of Secretariat, LrNOG . LrNOG reaffirms its readiness to provide neutral technical expertise to the Legislature, LTA, and other national stakeholders, share regional and international experience on traffic monitoring, fraud management, and data protection, and support multi-stakeholder, evidence-based policymaking that strengthens Liberia’s digital future.
For engagement and technical consultations:
info@lrnog.org
lrnog.org
— LrNOG Secretariat / Communications & Public Affairs
