🇱🇷 Liberia

Liberia was founded in 1847 by freed American slaves, making it Africa's oldest republic. The country of 5.3 million has a GDP of about $4 billion and is still recovering from two devastating civil wars (1989-2003) that killed about 250,000 people. Liberia has the world's second-largest ship registry — about 15% of the world's ocean-going fleet flies the Liberian flag, a "flag of convenience" system that generates significant revenue. The country has massive iron ore deposits and rubber plantations (Firestone has operated here since 1926). Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, elected in 2005, was Africa's first female head of state.

Iron ore, rubber, gold, and timber are the main exports. The ship registry generates about $20 million annually in fees. Liberia uses the US dollar alongside the Liberian dollar. The country was devastated by the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak, which killed over 4,800 Liberians and collapsed the healthcare system. Foreign aid remains significant. ArcelorMittal operates the largest iron ore mine, and the sector is the biggest formal employer after the government.

Liberia's capital Monrovia is named after US President James Monroe, and the country's flag is modeled on the American flag. Liberia and Ethiopia are the only two African countries never colonized by European powers (though Liberia's founding by American settlers is its own form of colonialism). The country's Sapo National Park is the second-largest primary rainforest in West Africa.

Liberia's post-war recovery has been real but painfully slow. The iron ore and rubber sectors provide a base, but governance and infrastructure need massive improvement. The ship registry is a clever revenue source that few countries can replicate.