Liberia is the World’s second largest ship registry—only surpassed by Panama. It is also well known as a fiscal haven for lots of foreign companies—especially those from the shipping industry. But if you thought this should be enough to make this small nation, with less than 5M inhabitants, a rich country… you’d better think again. Liberia is one of the World’s poorest countries, even for African standards.
The story of this country summarizes the worst African malaises: corruption, civil war and even slavery. And all of this is surprising given the close relationship Liberia has with America.
Despite the small recent improvements, Liberia still has a long way to improve and their brand new president, former soccer player George Weah is disappointing everyone—including his voters. Riots are becoming more and more common in the streets of Monrovia, the Liberian capital, and many fear a third civil war.
But why is Liberia doing so bad? Why do they have this fiscal haven status? Why, despite the shipping industry, they cannot step out of poverty? What do we mean when we say they have such a close relationship with America? In this video we will answer to all of these questions.
*Script written by Javier Angulo
Other videos at VisualPolitik:
LOW-COST SCHOOLS, revolutionising education in AFRICA? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xX5yeH6yqQ
Would you buy this MADE IN RWANDA motorcycle? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt1oIzmrdrE&t=28s
How is AFRICA escaping POVERTY? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vveM22MHkE&t=84s
Interesting links:
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/08/10/liberias-economic-crisis-and-corruption-could-lead-to-violence
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46947032
https://liberiancorporations.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Corporate-Services-2015.pdf
https://www.anave.es/images/tribuna_profesional/2018/tribuna_bia0518.pdf
https://www.loc.gov/collections/maps-of-liberia-1830-to-1870/articles-and-essays/history-of-liberia/
https://thegrio.com/2010/02/01/former-american-slaves-played-oppressive-role-in-liberias-past/
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