Liberia
Liberia is a West African country bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. The capital and largest city is Monrovia. Liberia has a population of approximately five-million people and an economy historically centred on natural resources, particularly iron ore, rubber, timber and gold. The country's currency is the Liberian dollar, though the US dollar circulates widely. Liberia operates as a presidential republic and is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and the African Union. Founded in 1847 by freed American and Caribbean slaves, Liberia is Africa's oldest republic and was never colonised by a European power. The country endured two devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003, which caused widespread destruction and economic collapse. Since the end of the conflict, Liberia has focused on post-war reconstruction, democratic governance and economic recovery. Key exports include rubber, iron ore and palm oil, with mining and agriculture forming the backbone of the economy. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who served as president from 2006 to 2018, was Africa's first elected female head of state and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Liberia continues to work towards sustainable development, improved infrastructure and strengthened institutions in the post-conflict era.
Liberia Updates
DRC’s Ebola outbreak has the potential to become a global pandemic. How to make sure it doesn’t
9th September 2026 Given its speed, scale and scope, the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease that broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-2026 could become a... →
Daily Podcast – September 02, 2026
By: Thabi Shomolekae 2nd September 2026 Making headlines: IEC records 43% surge in candidates for Nov elections; Dirco clears High Commissioner Sooklal of suspicion of facilitating... →
Congo's Ebola outbreak kills more than 3 000, government figures show
By: Reuters 2nd September 2026 The number of deaths in Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak has surpassed 3 000, government data showed on Wednesday, as the country's... →
UN committee says countries must consider reparations for slave trade
By: Reuters 31st August 2026 A UN committee said countries are legally obliged to consider reparations for the transatlantic slave trade and take other measures to address the... →
Unusual suspects: elders in West Africa’s changing drug trade
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 27th August 2026 The apparent rise of trafficking by older adults could reflect a new criminal adaptation rather than individual criminality. Adults aged 50 and... →
Venezuelans and Cubans among deportees to Liberia under Trump deal, official says
By: Reuters 20th August 2026 People deported by the US to Liberia will mostly hail from Latin American countries including Cuba and Venezuela, Liberia's information minister... →
UN Economic Commission for Africa urges SADC to push industrialisation
By: Rebecca Campbell 18th August 2026 The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has, at the forty-sixth Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), urged... →
Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo becomes deadliest in country's history
By: Reuters 17th August 2026 The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 2 325 people, government data showed on Sunday, surpassing the toll from the... →
Ebola deaths surpass 2 000 in Democratic Republic of Congo
By: Reuters 11th August 2026 Democratic Republic of Congo said on Tuesday that confirmed Ebola deaths had reached 2 011, the latest grim milestone in what health officials have... →
Congo's Ebola outbreak surpasses 4 000 cases
By: Reuters 7th August 2026 Democratic Republic of Congo's confirmed Ebola cases have risen above 4 000 for the first time in the current outbreak, government data showed. The... →
