Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorist financing, during the 44th Technical Commission and Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), held November 17–21, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel.
The high-level gathering brought together anti-corruption policymakers, Financial Intelligence Unit chiefs and financial crime experts from across West Africa.
In his keynote address, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai expressed Liberia’s “overwhelming commitment and political will” to protect the global financial system from threats posed by illicit financial activities. He stressed that money laundering and related crimes undermine the integrity of national and regional financial structures.
“Liberia remains committed to take decisive action against shell companies and their enablers who are allegedly linked to money laundering and other illicit financial activities in Liberia,” President Boakai said.
The Liberian leader outlined a series of reforms underway to address shortcomings highlighted in the country’s Second Round Mutual Evaluation Report.
These efforts, he said, are aimed at improving Liberia’s standing ahead of GIABA’s Third Round Mutual Evaluation in 2029.
GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris, Jr. praised Liberia, particularly the Presidency-for its leadership in hosting the 44th Plenary.
He reaffirmed GIABA’s commitment to work alongside Liberia and other ECOWAS member states to curb illicit financial flows.
“This collaboration is in the interest of every Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) country to help improve the reputation of GIABA Member States,” Harris noted.
Liberian officials highlighted several institutional measures being implemented to reinforce the nation’s anti-financial crime framework. Minister of Justice N. Oswald Tweh reiterated that the Inter-ministerial Committee remains dedicated to ensuring that individuals or institutions indicted, prosecuted, or convicted are held fully accountable.
He emphasized that Liberia is focused on “strengthening technical compliance and effectiveness to defeat money laundering and terrorist financing.”
FIA Officer-In-Charge Mohammed Ali Nasser detailed the Financial Intelligence Agency’s efforts to promote voluntary compliance among reporting entities.
“The FIA is working tirelessly to adhere to global standards to ensure that all reporting entities comply with Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorist (AML/CFT) laws and regulations,” Nasser said.
The meeting concluded with member states reaffirming their collective resolve to enhance cooperation, strengthen technical capabilities, and intensify regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing across West Africa and beyond.
