At the 44th Technical Commission and Plenary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Liberian authorities, led by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, reaffirmed the nation’s strong commitment to safeguarding the global financial system by combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
The high-level regional gathering, held from November 17-21, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel, brought together anti-graft policymakers, Heads of Financial Intelligence Units, and experts from across West Africa.
In his keynote address, President Boakai declared Liberia’s “overwhelming commitment and political will” to prevent and combat all forms of financial crimes. He emphasized that such crimes threaten the integrity of every nation’s financial system.
“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 stated.
Looking ahead, the President outlined Liberia’s ongoing efforts to address deficiencies identified in its Second Round Mutual Evaluation Report (MER2). These mitigating measures are designed to secure a favourable rating in GIABA’s upcoming Third Round Mutual Evaluation, scheduled for 2029.
The Director General of GIABA, Edwin W. Harris, Jr., commended Liberian authorities, particularly the Presidency, for their coordinated efforts in successfully hosting the 44th Plenary.
He reiterated GIABA’s readiness to collaborate with Liberia and other West African nations to combat 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 said.
Liberian officials detailed concrete steps being taken to fortify the country’s anti-financial crime architecture:
Minister of Justice, N. Oswald Tweh reaffirmed the commitment of Liberia’s Inter-ministerial Committee to ensure that indicted, prosecuted, and convicted individuals and institutions are punished to deter potential offenders. He emphasized that Liberia is “strengthening technical compliance and effectiveness to defeat money laundering and terrorist financing.”
FIA Officer-In-Charge, Mohammed Ali Nasser highlighted the Financial Intelligence Agency’s work in promoting 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 stated.
The meeting concluded with a unified resolve from member states to continue technical and robust cooperation to minimize money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa and beyond.