Canada-Liberia relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Development
• Partnerships and organizations

Bilateral relations

Canada established diplomatic relations with Liberia in 1971.

Canada has been represented in Liberia by the Embassy of Canada to Côte d'Ivoire, in Abidjan since 1971. Liberia has been represented in Canada since 1971 by the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia to the United States in Washington D.C.

Trade relations

The Canada-Liberia trade relationship is modest but growing. Some ongoing mining investments could increase interest in this sector. In 2021, bilateral merchandise trade was $59.9 million, consisting of $24.5 million in exports to Liberia and $28.4 million in imports from Liberia. Bilateral trade increased by 77.55% from 2020 to 2021. Canada mainly exports machinery, tools, iron and steel. Rubber is the most important imported Liberian commodity.

Liberia is a member of the World Trade Organization, the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Liberia signed the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement in March 2018, but has not ratified it yet.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Liberia

Development

Development assistance is provided through partnerships with Canadian and international NGOs, as well as multilateral and regional organizations in areas of common interest such as human rights and democracy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, women's empowerment, education, environment, climate resilience and regional trade. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada actively supported the Global System for Vaccine Access (the COVAX Facility) with 597,600 doses of Janssen vaccines delivered to Liberia in 2022. In 2020-2021, Canada's international assistance to Liberia totaled $10.30 million. 

For more information on programs in Liberia, consult the Project Browser.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Liberia work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)