Since Liberia’s 2023 elections and peaceful transfer of power, civic space has seen both progress and ongoing challenges. While the elections strengthened democratic governance, concerns remained over election-related violence, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on freedoms of expression and assembly.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) operate within a generally supportive legal framework, supported by the National Aid and NGO Policy and the amended Private Voluntary Organisations Act. However, bureaucratic registration processes and limited decentralization continue to affect grassroots groups. CSOs remain heavily dependent on international donors, but struggle with limited financial sustainability.

Although legal protections for freedom of expression and access to information exist, journalists, activists, and women human rights defenders frequently face harassment, intimidation, online abuse, and excessive police responses to protests. LGBTQ+ advocacy remains particularly constrained due to discriminatory laws.

Government engagement with civil society has improved through consultations on development, land rights, and women’s empowerment, but CSO influence on final decisions remains limited. Public distrust, political polarization, gender-based barriers, digital insecurity, cyberattacks, and poor internet access further restrict civic participation.

Key challenges include funding shortages and rural exclusion, while opportunities lie in growing youth and women’s leadership and expanding digital infrastructure.