At the center of the proposal is the creation of a Central Identification Registry, where all mobile phone IMEI numbers -- unique 15-digit identifiers assigned to every device -- will be stored. Mobile phone theft -- particularly in crowded areas such as markets, public transport routes, and entertainment centers -- has long been considered a low-risk, high-reward crime. Once blacklisted, a stolen phone would effectively become useless on participating networks, reducing its resale value and discouraging theft. But beyond theft, the regulation is also expected to reshape how mobile devices enter and circulate within Liberia's economy. Without widespread compliance, experts caution, stolen phones could continue circulating through informal channels or across borders.

Source: Daily Observer March 23, 2026 13:25 UTC