Orange Liberia has made significant contributions to the Liberian government's revenue, paying a total of $35,666,986 as of October 31, 2026. This makes it the fourth-largest revenue contributor in the country, surpassing several major companies, including fuel importers and the operator of the Freeport of Monrovia. According to Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) figures, only ArcelorMittal Liberia, Bea Mountain Mining Company, and the Civil Service Agency rank higher.
Orange Liberia's payments have been substantial, with the company paying $6,275,560 in October alone, which is second only to Bea Mountain Mining Company's $16.6 million. This payment is almost double Orange's monthly average, demonstrating a significant increase in revenue. From January through September, the company paid about $29.4 million, or roughly $3.3 million a month. In comparison, Lonestar Cell MTN, Liberia's first GSM operator, is not on the list, raising questions about its financial health.
The absence of Lonestar Cell MTN from the LRA's top-10 list raises concerns about the company's performance, particularly given its history as Liberia's largest GSM operator. Lonestar Cell was set up in 2000 and began operations as Liberia's first GSM network, with 17 towers linking Monrovia and surrounding areas. However, its parent company, MTN Group, has openly weighed selling its operations in Liberia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. In May 2023, MTN said it was considering selling its operations, but Lonestar denied in November 2023 that it was leaving Liberia.
Orange Liberia's success can be attributed to its strategic investments and expansion in the country. The company began life as Cellcom Liberia, which was founded in 2003 and backed by the U.S.-based investment firm YCF Group. In January 2016, France's Orange Group announced it would buy 100 percent of Cellcom Liberia, and the network was rebranded as Orange Liberia in 2017. Since then, Orange has invested heavily in its operations, opening the Orange Icon16 Building, a $10 million headquarters, and pledging $200 million in network investment over six years.
The rivalry between Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN has drawn the regulator's attention on several occasions. In 2019 and 2020, both companies fought LTA surcharges on voice and data, and the Supreme Court upheld the surcharges. In June 2024, Orange made Orange Money transfers free, which led to a fine of $300,000 from the LTA, citing a floor-price violation and refusal to submit revenue data. The LTA has implemented new rules requiring operators to spin off mobile money into separate companies, which could impact the tax rankings.
The LRA's list of top taxpayers does not provide a breakdown of the payments, making it difficult to determine the exact revenue earned by Orange Liberia. The company has not published its Liberia revenue for this year, but in 2019, its then-general manager, Mamadou Coulibaly, put the company's turnover at $63.1 million. A separate figure reported at the time was $93.3 million. The LRA has ranked Orange among its top taxpayers, with the company taking the overall Gold Award this year.
The implications of Lonestar Cell MTN's absence from the top-10 list and Orange Liberia's significant payments to the government remain to be seen. FrontPage Africa has reached out to Lonestar Cell MTN, Orange Liberia, and the LRA for comment on the figures, including what Lonestar paid this year and whether MTN still plans to sell its operations. The situation highlights the complexities of the Liberian telecom industry and the need for transparency in revenue reporting.
Key points
- Orange Liberia has paid $35.7 million to the Liberian government this year, making it the fourth-largest revenue contributor.
- Lonestar Cell MTN, Liberia's first GSM operator, is not on the LRA's top-10 list, raising questions about its financial health.
- The rivalry between Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN has drawn regulatory attention, with both companies facing fines and disputes over surcharges and revenue data.
