The Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) has concluded a significant working visit to Liberia, engaging key government institutions to fortify the nation’s asset recovery regime and enhance compliance with international anti-money laundering standards. This strategic engagement is particularly timely as Liberia prepares for its Third Round Mutual Evaluation under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework.
The multi-day mission, as reported by the Liberian Investigator, focused on bolstering Liberia’s legal and institutional capacity to effectively trace, seize, confiscate, manage, and recover proceeds of crime. A core objective was reinforcing inter-agency cooperation to combat financial crimes more robustly.
Initial consultations were held at the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General. Discussions here centred on ARINWA’s mandate and the critical need for a comprehensive legislative framework governing the seizure, confiscation, and management of criminal assets. Proposals for establishing a dedicated national asset management agency were also examined, with emphasis placed on its role in preserving confiscated assets and strengthening the prosecution of financial crimes.
Further discussions reviewed Liberia’s adherence to FATF standards in anticipation of the upcoming Third Round Mutual Evaluation. In a move to streamline future collaborations, the Ministry of Justice designated a focal point to coordinate ongoing engagements with ARINWA.
At the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the focus shifted to the economic imperative of effective asset recovery systems and the institutional architecture required for their sustainability. Key considerations included funding mechanisms and operational autonomy for the proposed asset management agency, alongside Liberia’s compliance with FATF requirements and its financial contributions to ARINWA’s regional initiatives. Participants underscored the dual benefit of asset recovery: strengthening the rule of law and redirecting illicitly gained resources towards national development.
ARINWA also engaged with prosecuting authorities, including senior magistrates, highlighting the importance of early identification and freezing of criminal assets during investigations. The delegation shared insights into international best practices for cross-border cooperation, stressing that prompt asset tracing and seizure significantly improve the likelihood of recovering proceeds derived from corruption, money laundering, organised crime, and other financial offences.
The mission culminated in a roundtable discussion involving ARINWA contact points from Liberia’s Central Authority for Judicial Cooperation, criminal investigation and prosecution agencies, and the Financial Intelligence Agency. This session was dedicated to developing a post-mission roadmap for the establishment of Liberia’s proposed asset management agency and enhancing institutional coordination on asset recovery efforts.
Government officials reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to strengthening its asset recovery framework and implementing reforms aligned with regional and international standards. This visit is part of a broader regional strategy to enhance cooperation among West African nations in tracing, freezing, confiscating, and recovering illicit assets, thereby improving compliance with global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations.
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