Telecommunications Governance in Post-conflict Developing Countries – the Case of the Africa Coast to Europe (ace) Cable System in Liberia

This paper presents an analysis of Liberia’s membership to date in the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable consortium and its initial governance structures, challenges and successes. A connection to the ACE cable will offer Liberia its first terrestrial international Internet gateway and is seen as a path to increasing ICT access and use in that country. This study employs a four-point framework, including critical factors that can influence the overall good governance of the cable system. The analysis points to ways in which Liberia’s institutional and policy arrangements for ACE may—or may not—lead to the benefits that have been ascribed to the country’s membership in the consortium. The study reveals several challenges: a history of strained relationships between key stakeholders, a perception in the industry of a weak telecoms regulator, and inadequate technical and human resources in the sector. Important positive elements are also present including broad public and political support for the ACE project, and significant technical support from international development partners.