President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has renewed Liberia’s firm political commitment to combating money laundering and terrorist financing across the sub-region, pledging continued support to the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
He made the pledge on Thursday, November 20, 2025, during the opening of the 44th GIABA Technical Plenary Meeting, held in Margibi County.
Addressing delegates, President Boakai warned that illicit financial activities, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and other transnational financial crimes, pose a direct threat to national security, regional stability, and the wellbeing of citizens. He stressed that such crimes weaken financial systems, distort markets, erode public trust, disrupt development, and empower networks intent on destabilizing societies.
The President highlighted the steps Liberia has taken in recent months to confront these threats, noting strengthened legal frameworks, improved institutional coordination, and closer collaboration with regional and international partners.
According to him, Liberia remains committed to enforcing international standards, building resilient public institutions, and ensuring the integrity of the national financial system.
“Our commitment is not rhetorical,” President Boakai stated, emphasizing new measures already underway within government, including tighter oversight mechanisms, expanded capacity at the Financial Intelligence Agency, stronger regulatory enforcement, and new initiatives to improve information-sharing between relevant authorities.
He underscored that Liberia is prioritizing effective implementation, not just legislation. “We recognize that laws without action are merely words on paper,” he said, reaffirming that the administration is focusing on operational readiness, inter-agency collaboration, and sustained skills development necessary to translate policy decisions into meaningful outcomes.
President Boakai also emphasized the need for strong regional cooperation. He cautioned that no single country can defeat illicit financial networks on its own, noting that criminal syndicates exploit weak links across borders. He praised GIABA’s role as essential in harmonizing national frameworks and ensuring shared accountability within ECOWAS.
He expressed hope that the Margibi plenary would deepen regional coordination, strengthen technical capacity, and reinforce collective action against illicit financial flows across West Africa.
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