Liberia’s population is estimated at 4.2 million (48.9% male and 51.1% female) [5], as of 2016 (date of the last National Population Census). Liberia’s population is expected to reach 6.4 million inhabitants by 2030 [2], and 10.3 million by 2050. By 2050, more than 70% of the population are expected to be living in coastal cities, including Monrovia, Liberia’s capital [1]. Liberia has sixteen indigenous ethnic groups and several foreign minorities. Indigenous groups account for 95% of the population. The recognized ethnic groups include the Gio (or Dan), Mano, Bassa, Kpelle, Grebo, Vai, Gola, Kru, Krahn, Kissi, Gbandi, Mandingo (or Mandinka), Dei (or Dewoin), Bella, Mende and Lorma [2].

The spatial distribution of the population is highly uneven. Nearly two-thirds of the population currently live in the Montserrado and the North Central statistical regions comprising four counties. Within this geographic space, unplanned urbanization continues to accelerate at an unprecedented pace [4].

Liberia has been experiencing a rapid urbanisation process as a result of population growth in urban zones and rural-to-urban migration [4]. Approximately 51.6% of the population currently live in urban areas and this is projected to increase to 57.3% and 68.2% of the population by 2030 and 2050, respectively [6]. A distinguishing feature of Liberia’s urbanisation is the concentration of the nation’s urban population in its largest city, Monrovia [7]. Currently, about 31.5% of Liberia’s population lives in Montserrado, where the capital Monrovia is situated [4].

The rapid growth in the size and number of informal settlements in urban areas is now a significant health risk and could impose a potential threat to peace and stability over the long term if left unresolved. Residents of informal settlement generally have little or no security of title to the land they occupy, and they face severe income insecurity. Unemployment is twice as high in urban areas than rural areas and three times as high among the youthful population. Moreover, access to basic services such as electricity, water, and sanitation in some informal settlements is worse than in rural areas. Approximately 56% of the labor force reside in urban areas [4].

To address urban challenges and maximize the opportunities offered by urbanization, the government is working closely with UN-Habitat to develop a National Urban Policy to integrate the urban economy into national development policies and help create the conditions for Liberia to achieve its long-term development goal of reaching middle-income status by 2030 [4].

The country has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.95 billion (in 2020). As of 2020, the country’s GDP is dominated by the agriculture sector (inclusive of fishing and forestry), which accounts for an estimated 42.6% of GDP, the industry sector (including mining, construction, electricity, water and gas) which contributes 11.7% of GDP, and the services sector comprising 49.7% of GDP [6].

Liberia has made significant economic and development progress since the end of its civil war in 2003 [6]. The country’s economy has experienced high growth since 2006 despite a decline from 2008 to 2010 largely attributed to the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in 2011 with a combined increase in economic activities from the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors contributing 41% of the GDP and providing employment for 47% of the labor force. These sectors were driven by increased exports, especially in forestry, fisheries and rubber, followed by subsistence production of cassava and rice. The emergence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in 2014, resulted in the subsequent decline in the country’s economy between 2015 and 2018. Liberia’s economy was projected to rebound in 2020, but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the economy suffered further declines [1]. However, Liberia’s economy is projected to expand by an average of 4.9% in 2022-23. Growth will be driven mainly by the mining sector and external demand. Structural reforms are expected to increase activity in mining, agriculture, and construction and per capita GDP is expected to return to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2023 [8].

Liberia is regarded as a low-income country [2]. It ranked 175 out of 189 countries and territories worldwide in the UNDP’s 2019 Human Development Index, with a value of 0.480, placing the country in the low human development category [9]. Poverty is widespread in Liberia, affecting most of the population [4]. According to the 2016 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, the most recent nationally representative data source on poverty rates in Liberia, 50.9% of the Liberian population, or about 2.2 million people, live in poverty, and about 16.5% in extreme poverty. Additionally, some 39.1% of the population were experiencing food poverty [4], [5]. Poverty rates are twice as high in rural areas, with rural poverty at 71.6%, compared with 31.5% in urban areas [4]. There are also noticeable regional differences in extreme poverty, with the highest levels affecting River Gee and Maryland counties in the country's southeastern part [5].

Progress has been made in developing the necessary framework for the expansion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/telecommunications in Liberia, with the Telecommunications Act passed in 2007. In 2011, the first fiber optic cable, Africa Coast to Europe, landed in Liberia to facilitate the construction of a backbone infrastructure to increase accessibility, reliability, and affordability of telecommunications services. A Metro-Monrovia Ring is under construction and, when completed, will improve connectivity and reduce the cost of telecommunications services in the Greater Monrovia area [4].

Despite the progress, weak policy and regulatory regime, and inadequately trained personnel available to companies and organizations in the industry remain major constraints to growth. Limited telecommunication/ICT infrastructure, especially in rural/ remote areas, leave communities marginalized. The government intends to make Liberia a technology-enabled society with telecommunication/ICT playing a fundamental role in job creation and improvement in the quality of life for all citizens. As outlined in the country’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development 2018 to 2023 (PAPD), the government will expand the fiber optic infrastructure, including industrial installation to cover 30% access to the fiber-optic backbone and ensure universal access and services to marginalized communities, women, rural dwellers, and physically challenged populations [4], [10].

Liberia has experienced various naturally triggered and human induced disasters, including wars, epidemics, landslides, floods, fires, sea erosion, windstorms, and rainstorms. As the country’s level of preparedness is inadequate, it remains highly vulnerable to the consequences of disasters [11]. Vulnerability is exacerbated due to the country’s high level of poverty and high dependence on climate change sensitive sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, mining and forestry [6].