Nimba County — Economic Profile

County Overview

• Capital: Sanniquellie
• Region: North-Central
• Year: 2,024
• Population: 621,841
• Land Area (km²): 11,550
• GDP Contribution (USD M): 376
• GDP Share %: 8
• Growth Rate %: 7.1
• Gov Allocation (USD): 920,000
• Main Resources: Iron ore, gold, diamonds, timber, fertile land

Key Industries

• Iron ore mining (ArcelorMittal)
• Agriculture
• Logging

Agricultural Products

• Rubber
• Rice
• Cassava
• Cocoa
• Coffee

Social Programs & Development Funding

• Total Programs: 3
• Total Funding (USD): 5,750,000
• Total Beneficiaries: 205,000
• Community Health Worker Initiative: 2,100,000 USD · 88,000 beneficiaries · Last Mile Health / USAID (2024)
• County Development Fund Projects: 1,800,000 USD · 35,000 beneficiaries · Ministry of Internal Affairs (2024)
• Community Health Worker Initiative: 1,850,000 USD · 82,000 beneficiaries · Last Mile Health / USAID (2023)

National Trade Context

• Year: 2,026
• Total Exports (USD): 199.97
• Total Imports (USD): 261.94
• Trade Balance (USD): -61.97
• FDI Inflows (USD): 0
• Remittances (USD): 84.78
• Top Export Commodity: Rubber
• Top Import Commodity: Fuel
• Top Trading Partners: United States, Canada, Switzerland

Private Sector Context (National)

• Year: 2,024
• Total GDP Contribution (USD M): 545.5
• Total Employment: 29,270
• ArcelorMittal Liberia: 480,000,000 USD revenue · 3,200 employees · mining
• Firestone Natural Rubber: 185,000,000 USD revenue · 6,800 employees · agriculture
• BRAC Liberia: 12,000,000 USD revenue · 450 employees · social services
• Save the Children Liberia: 8,500,000 USD revenue · 320 employees · health & education
• SME Sector Aggregate: 95,000,000 USD revenue · 18,500 employees · mixed (trade, services, manufacturing)

Economic Analysis & Outlook

Nimba County, serving as a critical economic hub in Liberia's North-Central region, exhibits robust development momentum with a GDP of 376 million USD, contributing 8% to the national economy and maintaining a healthy growth rate of 7.1%. The county's economic landscape is heavily anchored by the iron ore mining operations of ArcelorMittal, which acts as a primary catalyst for regional industrial activity. This mining strength is complemented by a diverse agricultural sector that leverages the county's natural resources, featuring significant production of rubber, rice, cassava, cocoa, and coffee. While the county benefits from these extractive and agricultural pillars, it manages a trade deficit mirroring national trends, highlighting the need for increased value-added processing to balance exports against an import-heavy consumption profile. With a population exceeding 621,000, Nimba also prioritizes social welfare, managing three major programs with 5.75 million USD in funding that directly support over 200,000 beneficiaries. These investments in human capital are essential for fostering a stable socio-economic environment, though the reliance on government allocations remains modest at 920,000 USD, suggesting a significant reliance on private sector performance. Looking forward, the investment climate in Nimba is ripe for diversification, particularly in mechanized agriculture and agro-processing, which could mitigate the risks associated with global commodity price volatility. While the current lack of direct Foreign Direct Investment poses a challenge to rapid industrial scaling, the county's established infrastructure and strategic geographic position offer a strong foundation for future growth. By enhancing internal trade linkages and incentivizing private capital, Nimba is well-positioned to evolve into a more resilient and self-sustaining economic engine for Liberia.