A mobile phone trader in Tripoli, Libya, has finally received a shipment of Nokia phones that he ordered in 2010, after a 16-year delay caused by the country’s prolonged civil war.
The phones arrived at his shop on January 12, 2026, marking the end of a wait that lasted more than a decade.
The unusual incident went viral on social media after the trader posted a video of himself unboxing the long-delayed phones. The video amused viewers while highlighting how conflict can disrupt everyday life and turn outdated technology into collectors’ items.
According to local media reports, the trader had been waiting for the shipment long before political tensions in Libya escalated and the civil war erupted, severely disrupting logistics and supply chains.
The prolonged delay has turned what was once a standard mobile phone into a symbol of patience — and irony — in today’s digital era, where the model is now considered obsolete.
In the viral unboxing video, the trader appeared shocked and delighted as he opened the box, drawing reactions from internet users worldwide who shared and commented on the bizarre yet touching moment.
“After waiting 16 years, the phone finally arrived. I never thought this day would come,” the trader said in the video.
“This situation reminds us that conflict can paralyse not only a country, but also the small, everyday aspects of life,” he added.
Technology analysts said the incident underscores how war can severely affect logistics and supply chains, while also changing the perceived value of products.
Once considered ordinary, the phone has now become a collector’s item due to its age and the extraordinary journey it took before reaching its buyer.
Since the video went viral, many netizens have praised the trader’s patience, while others jokingly speculated about how the outdated phone could be used in today’s smartphone-dominated world.
The incident has also raised awareness about the long-term impact of conflict on trade and daily life, showing that the effects of war extend beyond politics and economics to basic access to technology.
