A decision by the Liberian government to outsource critical national functions relating to vehicle registration and driver’s license issuance to a foreign-controlled entity has raised significant alarms regarding national security and data privacy.
The firm, known as Liberia Traffic Management (LTM), a Lebanese company, is poised to manage vital personal information and sensitive documents that many believe should remain under domestic oversight.
LTM, which touts itself as a specialized traffic management group, has secured a concession from the Liberian government to oversee a range of traffic-related services, including vehicle inspection, registration, licensing, and enforcement of traffic violations.
The outsourcing arrangement has been confirmed by the Liberia National Police, which raises concerns regarding Liberia’s ability to maintain control over its own transportation data and security protocols.
Senator Momo Tarnuekollie Cyrus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs, has vocally condemned this move, calling it a “gross misjudgment” fraught with economic, sovereign, and security implications.
“National security is not for sale,” Cyrus asserted, warning that allowing access to sensitive data by a foreign commercial entity poses a direct threat to the integrity of Liberian citizens’ information.
Concerns have been magnified given the context of recent developments in digital security worldwide. Just months earlier, on April 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice implemented a Final Rule under Executive Order 14117, which imposes strict limitations on the transfer of sensitive personal data to nations deemed a security concern.
The irony is palpable as Liberia, a nation that should prioritize the privacy and security of its citizens, is instead outsourcing control to a foreign entity at a time when safeguarding such information is increasingly scrutinized globally.
The concession agreement, signed in 2019, stipulates that LTM will retain a staggering 70% of all generated revenue from licensing and registration services, leaving only 30% for Liberia.
The deal lacks mechanisms for minimum payments, profit caps, or revenue escalators, calling into question the viability and fairness of the financial arrangement. This raises suspicions that instead of bolstering Liberia’s economy, the arrangement will enrich a foreign interest at the expense of national prosperity.
Moreover, the transition has rendered the Ministry of Transport nearly redundant, effectively stripping it of essential responsibilities, while the Liberia National Police’s role diminishes to toothless enforcement.
This not only jeopardizes job security but has also led to the displacement of over 200 Liberians, many of whom are skilled professionals from the Ministry and Police Force.
Cyrus emphasized that this outsourcing represents a blatant disregard for Liberian sovereignty, and constitutes a betrayal of the public’s trust.
“At a time when citizens are demanding better job opportunities and stronger institutions, this government has chosen to prioritize foreign profits over national dignity and security,” he stated.
Amid the rising unease, the Senate Committee is calling for an immediate suspension of this controversial outsourcing agreement until a comprehensive legislative inquiry into its security, economic, and legal implications can ensure the protection of Liberians’ data and uphold the sovereignty of the nation’s public administration.
Advocates emphasize that retaining vehicle registration and driver’s license data within national borders is essential for ensuring security, maintaining public trust, and promoting economic growth.
The management of such sensitive information should resonate with citizens’ expectations for accountability and safety in an increasingly interconnected world.
Citizens and stakeholders are now calling on President Joseph Boakai to reconsider this decision and to uphold the paramount importance of national security.
