Kakata

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Kakata
Kak City
City
Main street of Kakata near the Booker Washington Institute campus, May 2012
Main street of Kakata near the Booker Washington Institute campus, May 2012
Kakata is located in Liberia
Kakata
Kakata
Location in Liberia
Coordinates: 6°31′48″N 10°21′6″W / 6.53000°N 10.35167°W / 6.53000; -10.35167
Country Liberia
CountyMargibi County
DistrictKakata District
Elevation
91 m (299 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total
33,945
 • Estimate (2025)
34,000–52,000
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
Map
Kakata

Kakata (colloquially Kak City) is the capital and largest city of Margibi County, Liberia. It serves as the county's administrative, commercial and transportation hub and lies within Liberia's historic rubber-production belt.

History

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The area surrounding Kakata was traditionally inhabited by the Bassa people, with Kpelle and other groups also present. During the 20th century, the region became a center of rubber cultivation as large plantations were established in Margibi County.[1]

Margibi County was formally created in 1985 through the merger of the former Marshall and Gibi territories, with Kakata designated as its capital.[2]

Kakata experienced significant displacement, infrastructure damage and economic disruption during Liberia’s civil conflicts (1989–2003). Reconstruction efforts began in the mid-2000s, focusing on education, transportation and agriculture.

Recent development projects include rehabilitation of feeder roads connecting Firestone plantations to Kakata, officially commissioned in August 2025 as part of a community-development initiative.[3]

Geography

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Kakata is located approximately 55 km northeast of Monrovia along the paved Monrovia–Kakata highway. The city sits on gently rolling terrain characteristic of central Liberia.

Demographics

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The 2008 National Population and Housing Census recorded Kakata’s population as 33,945.[4] Updated city-level figures from the 2022 census have not yet been published; however, demographic projections estimate a 2025 population between 34,000 and 52,000.[5]

Ethnically, the area is predominantly Bassa and Kpelle, with significant representation from Gola, Vai, Mano, Lorma, Kissi and Grebo communities.[6]

Economy

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Kakata lies at the center of Liberia’s rubber-producing belt. The city is surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of rubber plantations, many of which are now past peak latex production.[7]

The city hosts one of the largest local markets in the county, attracting traders from nearby districts and rural plantations. Commerce includes agricultural products, small-scale manufacturing and informal retail.

Development priorities in 2023–2025 have focused on agriculture, roads, education and digital infrastructure, aligned with Liberia’s national “ARREST” economic agenda.[8]

Education

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Kakata is home to the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), Liberia’s oldest vocational high school and technical training center.[9] The city also hosts the Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute (KRTTI), a key institution in Liberia’s national teacher-training system.

Healthcare

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The C. H. Rennie Hospital in Kakata serves as the main public referral hospital for Margibi County, providing primary care, maternity services and emergency treatment. Additional care is available at smaller clinics within the city and at the private Duside Hospital in nearby Harbel.

Media

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Radio is the primary form of mass communication in Kakata. Local stations include:

  • Radio Kakata 101.7 FM
  • Atlantic Radio 92.7 FM
  • Radio Margibi 103.9 FM
  • ELBC 99.9 FM
  • BBC World Service relay 103.0 FM
  • Radio Joy Africa 97.5 FM
  • Hope Communication 94.9 FM
  • Classic FM 93.5 FM

Climate

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Kakata has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am), characterized by a long rainy season from May to October and a short dry season from December to February.[10]

Climate data for Kakata
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: NomadSeason

Notable people

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  • Peter Quaqua, journalist and former president of the Press Union of Liberia

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Margibi County profile". Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  2. ^ "History of Margibi County". Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  3. ^ "ArcelorMittal Liberia Dedicates Firestone–Kakata Road". FrontPage Africa. 2025-08-14.
  4. ^ "2008 Population Census". LISGIS. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  5. ^ "Population estimates for Kakata". Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  6. ^ "Margibi County Demographic Data". Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  7. ^ "ZICIX + CTIP-FII Receives Order from City of Kakata, Liberia to Buy Passenger Buses". Nasdaq. Nasdaq, Inc. 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  8. ^ "Margibi's Newly Inducted Development Officer Outlines Vision to Support Government's ARREST Agenda". FrontPage Africa. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  9. ^ "Booker Washington Institute". Retrieved 2025-01-01.
  10. ^ "Climate Data for Kakata". Retrieved 2025-01-01.