Staying connected in Liberia is essential for navigation, communication, mobile money, and social media. Whether you are a tourist, digital nomad, NGO worker, or business traveler, prepaid SIM cards in Liberia are affordable, easy to buy, and widely available. This detailed guide covers Orange Liberia and MTN Liberia, including prices, coverage, data plans, USSD codes, registration rules, and alternatives like eSIM and roaming.
Basics Information
- Country: Liberia
- SIM Type: Prepaid SIM & Data-only SIM
- Main Operators: Orange Liberia, MTN Liberia
- Network Technologies: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE
- Average Data Cost: Low to moderate
- Best for Tourists: Orange Liberia (better urban data speeds)
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards are widely available across Liberia, especially in:
- Monrovia
- Roberts International Airport (ROB)
- Buchanan, Ganta, Kakata
- County capitals and major towns
Where to Buy
You can buy prepaid SIM cards from:
- Official Orange and MTN stores
- Airport kiosks
- Authorized mobile dealers
- Supermarkets and street vendors (registration required)
⚠️ Always buy from an authorized seller to avoid inactive or unregistered SIM cards.
Frequencies (Network Bands)
| Operator | 2G (GSM) | 3G (UMTS) | 4G LTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Liberia | 900 / 1800 MHz | 2100 MHz | Band 3 (1800 MHz) |
| MTN Liberia | 900 / 1800 MHz | 2100 MHz | Band 3 (1800 MHz) |
✔ Most unlocked smartphones are compatible.
Coverage & Speed
| Operator | Coverage | 3G Speed | 4G Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Strong urban & semi-urban | 5–10 Mbps | 15–40 Mbps |
| MTN | Wider rural reach | 3–8 Mbps | 10–30 Mbps |
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Orange Liberia | MTN Liberia |
|---|---|---|
| Best Data Speeds | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Moderate |
| Rural Coverage | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Better |
| Tourist Friendly | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Unlimited Data Plans | ✅ Available | ⚠️ Limited |
| Mobile Money | Orange Money | MTN MoMo |
Biometric User Registration
✔ Mandatory for all SIM cards
You must provide:
- Passport or national ID
- Photo capture
- Fingerprint scan (in-store)
Unregistered SIMs are blocked within 24–48 hours.
Device Registration
- IMEI registration is not strictly enforced
- Imported phones usually work without issues
- Counterfeit devices may be blocked
SIM Card Price
| Operator | SIM Price |
|---|---|
| Orange | Free – USD 2 |
| MTN | Free – USD 2 |
(Some promos include free starter data)
Top-Up Methods
- Scratch cards
- Mobile money (Orange Money / MTN MoMo)
- Bank agents
- USSD recharge
- Retail shops
Orange Liberia
Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons (USSD Codes)
| Data Bundle | Price | Validity | USSD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | Low | 7 days | *131# |
| 1.5 GB | Medium | 14 days | *131# |
| 5 GB | High | 30 days | *131# |
| Night Data | Cheap | Night | *131# |
Orange SIM Card Unlimited Data
| Plan | Speed Policy | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Daily | Fair usage | 24 hrs |
| Unlimited Weekly | Throttled after cap | 7 days |
| Unlimited Monthly | FUP applies | 30 days |
Orange Feature Packages
| Package | Includes | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Combo Plus | Data + Calls + SMS | 7 / 30 days |
| Voice Booster | Extra call minutes | 7 days |
| SMS Pack | Local SMS | 7 days |
Social Media Offers Orange
| Platform | Data Type | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited / Capped | Daily | |
| Chat only | Weekly | |
| Data-based | Monthly | |
| TikTok | Promo data | Limited |
Orange Data-Only SIM
- Tablet & MiFi compatible
- No voice/SMS
- High-volume data plans available
MTN Liberia
Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons
| Data Bundle | Price | Validity | USSD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 MB | Low | 3 days | *131# |
| 1 GB | Medium | 7 days | *131# |
| 4.5 GB | High | 30 days | *131# |
MTN SIM Card Unlimited Data
| Plan | Speed Policy | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Unlimited | Throttled | 24 hrs |
| Weekly Unlimited | Fair usage | 7 days |
MTN Data Feature Packages
| Package | Includes |
|---|---|
| MTN Pulse | Youth data bonuses |
| MTN Combo | Voice + Data |
| MTN Business | Bulk data |
Social Media Bundles MTN
| App | Data Offer |
|---|---|
| Chat bundle | |
| Unlimited lite | |
| YouTube | Limited hours |
| TikTok | Promo packs |
MTN Data-Only SIM
- Best for modems & routers
- Monthly high-data plans
- No voice services
How to Check the Remaining Balance
- Orange:
*131# - MTN:
*131#
How to Check SIM Number
- Orange:
*123# - MTN:
*123#
Tourist SIM
Liberia does not offer branded tourist SIMs, but:
- Regular prepaid SIMs work perfectly
- Registration takes 5–10 minutes
- No residency required
Roaming Data
- Expensive compared to local SIMs
- Recommended only for short stays
- International roaming supported on both networks
Digital eSIM Providers
Liberia is supported by:
- Airalo
- Nomad
- AloSIM
- BNESIM
⚠️ Data-only, no local calls or SMS.
Other Options
- Portable Wi-Fi (MiFi)
- Hotel Wi-Fi (often slow)
- NGO / corporate SIM plans
Activation
- SIM activates within minutes after registration
- Restart phone after insertion
- Data auto-configures (APN usually automatic)
Help Line Numbers
| Operator | Customer Care |
|---|---|
| Orange | 111 |
| MTN | 133 |
Official Websites
- Orange Liberia: https://www.orange.com.lr
- MTN Liberia: https://www.mtn.com.lr
Apps
Conclusion
Prepaid SIM cards in Liberia are affordable, reliable, and easy to use. Orange Liberia is ideal for travelers seeking fast urban data and unlimited packages, while MTN Liberia offers broader rural coverage and strong mobile money integration. For short stays, local prepaid SIMs are far more cost-effective than roaming, while eSIMs provide a quick digital alternative for compatible devices.
If you’re visiting Liberia in 2025, buying a local prepaid SIM is the best way to stay connected.