Liberia, Nov. 11 -- Lonestar MTN founder to speak for Liberia's private sector on new regional body that advises West Africa's presidents

MONROVIA - Benoni W. Urey, a founding shareholder of Lonestar Cell MTN, one of Liberia's two main mobile phone networks, has been appointed Liberia's representative on the ECOWAS Business Council, a new regional body chaired by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote that is designed to give West Africa's private sector a direct line to the region's presidents.

The appointment, announced in a press statement, places Mr. Urey among a small group of business leaders - one from each member state of the Economic Community of West African States - who will advise the bloc's heads of state and government on trad...