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The Tripoli-based Libyan General Authority for Communications and Informatics has suspended all activities of Chinese telecom giant Huawei in the country. The announcement was made on Tuesday, with officials citing violations of both national and international laws as well as threats to national security.
In its statement, the Authority accused Huawei of entering into illegal contracts with unauthorized entities inside Libya, a move it described as a direct breach of the nation’s security protocols. The regulator also said the company failed to comply with Law 22 of 2010, which grants the Authority exclusive powers to issue licenses and permits in the communications and information technology sector.
Officials stressed that Huawei’s operations bypassed legal frameworks designed to regulate and protect the industry. By signing unauthorized agreements, the company allegedly undermined the government’s ability to oversee sensitive infrastructure and safeguard against external interference.
“The protection of national security remains our top priority,” the Authority stated. “Any company or entity that engages in illegal activities or works outside the authorized framework will face immediate suspension.”
Huawei, one of the world’s leading telecom equipment and mobile service providers, has faced scrutiny in several countries over alleged links to espionage and data security risks. While the company has repeatedly denied such allegations, governments in the United States, parts of Europe, and other regions have imposed restrictions on its operations.
Libya’s decision to suspend Huawei highlights growing concerns in North Africa about foreign control over critical communications infrastructure. Analysts say the move reflects wider global debates about the risks of dependency on single-source technology providers in sensitive sectors like telecommunications, cybersecurity, and data protection.
The suspension is expected to affect existing Huawei projects and partnerships within Libya. Over the past decade, the company has been involved in providing network infrastructure and technology support for different operators in the country. However, with its activities now frozen, uncertainty surrounds the continuity of services and the impact on Libyan telecom operators that relied on Huawei’s systems.
The General Authority has not provided further details on whether the suspension will be permanent or temporary, pending investigations. It also did not specify the names of the “illegal entities” Huawei allegedly partnered with.
Telecom analysts say the Libyan government may be trying to assert stronger regulatory control in a sector often caught up in the country’s wider political and security divisions. Given Libya’s fragile institutional landscape, competing authorities, and heavy reliance on international partners, experts warn that the decision could have both political and economic implications.
Huawei has yet to officially respond to the Libyan government’s decision. Globally, the company maintains it operates strictly within the laws of every country it enters and continues to emphasize its commitment to transparency and cooperation with regulators.
For Libya, the suspension comes at a time when the government is pushing to expand digital connectivity and modernize the ICT sector as part of its wider economic development agenda. The decision to block Huawei may create a temporary vacuum, but officials insist it is necessary to protect national interests and ensure future partnerships comply with proper legal and security standards.
Observers say the suspension could open doors for other international technology firms to step into the Libyan market, provided they meet regulatory requirements and security conditions. However, they caution that attracting new partners in the current political climate may prove challenging.
