‘We Are Not Mere Participants In GIABA Process’
PHOTO: Pres. Boakai posed for picture with delegates
UNIFICATION CITY, Margibi Liberia–President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has assured that Liberia is not merely participants of the GIABA process in fighting money laundering in West Africa but a dedicated partner to strengthen cooperation with other countries, as Garmah Never Lomo reports.
The Liberian President made was speaking here at Farmington Hotel during the opening ceremony of the 44th GIABA technical commission and plenary meeting today, Thursday, November 20,2025. The meeting which commenced on November 17,2025 and will end on November 21,2025.
This week-long meeting brought together representatives from Guinea, Burkina Faso, São Tomé, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo among others.
President Boakai said this week’s engagement comes at a time when the threats posed by money laundering, terrorist financing, organized crime, and illicit financial flows are more complex and more dynamic than ever.
These threats undermine both regional and national security, distort financial systems, erode public confidence, and obstruct the development that our region so urgently needs. As leaders, policymakers, regulators, and practitioners, we have a shared responsibility to confront these challenges head-on.
The Liberian leader added that, Liberia remains fully committed to combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and all related crimes. This commitment is not a matter of external obligation—it is a national priority rooted in our desire to safeguard the integrity of our financial system, protect our people, and uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance.
According to President Boakai, the Government of Liberia has strengthened its legal and institutional frameworks to align with international best practices. We have taken significant steps to improve our AML/CFT architecture, enhance coordination among competent authorities and law enforcement agencies. We have also closed systemic gaps that have historically weakened our fight against illicit activities including a strong fight against the transportation, sale and possession of illicit drugs, which became so prevalent a few months ago.
“Central to this effort, is the Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia—our national cornerstone in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. My Administration continues to prioritize support to the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) to ensure that it has the independence, resources, technology, and operational capacity it needs to perform its mandate effectively.”
He stressed that Liberia remains committed to empowering the Agency to gather intelligence, support investigations, enforce compliance, and carry out its responsibilities with diligence and integrity. This is because we recognize that a strong FIA contributes directly to safeguarding Liberia’s financial system and reinforces our credibility within the regional and global AML/CFT community.
The Liberian leader expressed that Liberia is proud to be an active member of GIABA, and we value the guidance, assessments, and technical support the Organization continues to provide. We understand the importance of adhering to FATF standards and complying with GIABA’s monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. These standards ensure that our reforms are measurable, meaningful, and sustainable.
President Boakai assured the GIABA Plenary that Liberia is committed to the following:
➢ Fully implementing FATF recommendations;
➢ Addressing deficiencies identified during our Second Round of Mutual Evaluation;
➢ Strengthening supervisory frameworks across all reporting sectors;
➢ Enhancing Beneficial Ownership Transparency;
➢ Improving inter-agency coordination through the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Financial Crimes Working Group, both of which are fully functional.
➢ Ensuring effective investigations, prosecutions, and assets rrecovery; and
➢ Maintaining an AML/CFT system that meets regional and global Standards.
Mr. Boakai reassured the regional group that “we not merely participant in the GIABA process—we are dedicated partners. Liberia will continue to cooperate fully with GIABA’s Secretariat, regional member states, and international partners to ensure robust and measurable progress.”
He furthered said:
“Our Region can only succeed when we work together. We are fully aware of the fact that the criminals who threaten our financial systems do not respect borders. Our cooperation must therefore always transcend national boundaries. We must share intelligence, harmonize our laws, build joint capacities, and empower our national institutions to act swiftly and effectively.”
President Boakai also renewed his government’s determination to confront emerging threats such as cyber-enabled financial crimes, proliferation financing, and the exploitation of new technologies by illicit networks. We must continue to adapt, innovate, and collaborate.
FIA hails GIABA for being pillar of coordination
For his part, the Officer in charge of the Financial Intelligence Agency Mr. Mohammeh A. Nasser speaking at the ceremony said, GIABA has long stood as a pillar of coordination, knowledge-sharing, and technical excellence across West Africa.
Mr. Nasser indicated that, this platform allows us not only to harmonize our national responses but also to elevate our regional capacity to meet global AML/CFT and CPF standards. Liberia remains steadfast in its commitment to GIABA and to the Financial Action Task Force framework, recognizing that our collective success depends on consistent technical strengthening, robust cooperation, and transparent compliance.
According to him, the Plenary presents yet another timely opportunity for us to examine our progress, interrogate our challenges, and agree on practical steps that will further reinforce our institutional effectiveness. Whether through enhanced information-sharing, improved risk assessments, stronger supervisory mechanisms, or targeted capacity-building, the work we do here will continue to shape the resilience of our national systems.
“For us at the FIA, these engagements are invaluable. They provide insight, guidance, and peer support—elements essential to the reforms we continue to undertake in Liberia. We are especially encouraged by the spirit of collaboration that defines the GIABA family, and we reaffirm our full support to the Secretariat and all member institutions” Mr. Nasser added.