The Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia (FIA), has commenced a five-day pre-risk assessment workshop aimed at bolstering Liberia’s defenses against money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
The workshop, which runs from March 23 to 27, 2026, brings together stakeholders from across Liberia’s public and private sectors to identify, assess, and understand risks within the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
Participants in the weeklong training include the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Ministry of Justice, Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), National Lottery Authority (NLA), Ministry of Mines and Energy, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment, among other entities.
Key discussions at the workshop center on the findings of the previous National Risk Assessment (NRA) Report, mechanisms for NRA coordination and timelines, and revisions to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment methodology—particularly their impact on FATF Recommendations 1, 8, 15, 24, and 25. Other focal points include brainstorming on money laundering and terrorist financing risks, the concept of the NRA, and the logic behind the World Bank’s NRA tool.
Speaking during the formal opening ceremony, Hon. Edwin W. Harris, Jr., Director General of GIABA, described the gathering as a reflection of the body’s unwavering commitment to Liberia’s AML/CFT efforts, marking the official launch of the country’s second National Risk Assessment.
Harris expressed gratitude to Liberia’s competent authorities for their warm welcome and steadfast commitment to strengthening the nation’s financial integrity framework.
“We are gathered to inaugurate a process that is fundamental to the economic health and security of this nation,” Harris said. “From my perspective, this assessment is far more than a compliance exercise; it is a strategic investment in fortifying Liberia’s defenses and ensuring its integrity within the regional and global financial system.”
The GIABA chief noted that the landscape of financial crime has evolved dramatically since Liberia’s first assessment, citing new technologies and increasingly sophisticated criminal methodologies.
“This is precisely why we at GIABA view this second assessment as a top priority for our member states,” he intoned.
Harris emphasized that GIABA’s technical support includes the adoption of the World Bank’s Risk Assessment Tool, which he described as an internationally recognized methodology that will provide a robust, structured, and data-driven framework for Liberia’s work.
He outlined three pillars for the mission: national ownership, sustainable capacity, and actionable results, stressing that the final report must serve as a “living document” and a strategic compass to inform policy and empower institutions to make risk-based decisions.
Also speaking, Hon. Mohammed Ali Nasser, Officer-In-Charge of the FIA, underscored the importance of the workshop, expressing gratitude for the continued support of GIABA and the World Bank.
“This workshop marks a critical step in the national journey to better understand, identify, and mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing,” Nasser said.
He noted that the use of the World Bank’s NRA tool provides a structured, evidence-based methodology to assess vulnerabilities across sectors and institutions, enabling the alignment of national priorities with international standards and best practices.
“This ensures that Liberia remains a credible and resilient player in the global financial system,” Nasser added, urging all participants to seize the opportunity and contribute their skills for the good of the nation.