In Tripoli, Libya, a long-delayed shipment of Nokia mobile phones has finally arrived, 16 years after it was ordered.
The consignment, including classic button-based models and early “Communicator” devices, was originally placed in 2010 but never reached the buyer due to the outbreak of the 2011 civil war and the collapse of Libya’s logistics infrastructure.
The irony is stark for both the sender and the recipient who lived just a few kilometres apart in Tripoli, yet the package lay forgotten in warehouses for more than a decade because of conflict and instability.
“It must have circled the world and come back,” jokes the Tripoli-based shopkeeper as he opens boxes in a now-viral video, laughing with friends. He adds humorously, “Are these phones or artefacts?,” giving a picture of how far mobile technology has come since 2010.
The episode further highlights the challenges Libya’s telecoms sector has faced over the past decade and a half. Political instability, infrastructure breakdowns, and disrupted supply chains have hindered the growth of mobile networks and delayed access to both basic and advanced technology for Libyans.
According to telecom analysts, Libya has struggled to maintain consistent services, with mobile penetration fluctuating between 70% and 80% in recent years due to conflict-related setbacks.
Online reactions have been lively, reflecting a mix of humour and speculation, with many noting how years of conflict can bring even routine business to a standstill. Some observers have also suggested that the long-delayed phones, now vintage, could hold significant value for collectors.
One user wrote, "Looking at the current geopolitical scenarios, these phones are absolutely valuable. They have no tracker."
Another chimed in, "Nope. Those are prized trophies of a lost great era and worth more now." A third observed, "With collector culture in America, he can probably sell them over here for double the profit he would if he had gotten them when he ordered them."
For the Libyan telecoms sector, the arrival of these phones serves as both a quirky anecdote and a reflection of resilience.
Mobile networks are gradually rebuilding, foreign manufacturers are cautiously re-entering the market, and traders are finding ways to reconnect Libya with global supply chains.
“This shipment may be decades late, but it is a symbol of persistence. Life goes on, and so does technology, even if it comes 16 years behind schedule,” the Tripoli shopkeeper said.
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