Integrity Watch Liberia, in collaboration with Tax Justice Network Africa, along with the African Union and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has begun a three-day illicit financial flows workshop in Monrovia. The objective of the training is for policymakers and technical experts to assess Liberia’s progress and challenges in combating illicit financial flows (IFFs).
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, September 1, 2025, Integrity Watch Liberia Executive Director, Harold M. Aidoo welcomed the participants to Liberia for the policy tracker training. Aidoo said the issue of illicit financial flows is a challenge to many African countries and Liberia is no exception, adding that they believe that the policy tracker will not just provide them the data and evidence that they need to fight and combat IFF, but will also help them raise awareness that will help Liberia and other African regions.
For her part, Tax Justice Network African (TJNA) Executive Director, Chenai Mukumba said Liberia is the fifth country that is hosting the Anti-IFFs policy tracker and a similar program took place in Namibia, Uganda, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire. She said the Anti-IFFs Policy Tracker targets various government institutions involved in work that has direct implications on IFFs.
She further said the findings and recommendations will contribute to a broader strategic framework for combating IFFs on the continent. Also speaking, Carlos Railey, Director of Operations at the Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia (FIA), said illicit financial flows deprive Liberia of billions of dollars annually.
“It is for these reasons that the launch of this policy tracker is important. This initiative provides us with a practical mechanism to systematically monitor and evaluate policies, actions and progress made in combating illicit financial flows and it allows us to identify gaps, strengthen coordination and most importantly ensure accountability in the way we address this complex problem,” he said.
According to him, the FIA acknowledges the dedication of partners, both local and international, who have tirelessly worked to make this pilot possible. Railey encouraged partners and participants to remain mindful in the fight against illicit financial flows because it cannot be won by one institution.
The workshop brought together institutions, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), among others.
