The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) have signed a joint directive introducing stricter customer due diligence measures across financial institutions, aimed at shielding the country’s financial system from money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities.
At the signing ceremony on Monday, February 16, 2026, CBL Executive Governor Henry F. Saamoi described the directive as a decisive step toward reinforcing Liberia’s financial credibility.
“Today marks another milestone in our collective effort to strengthen the integrity, resilience, and global credibility of our financial system,” Saamoi said. “This directive is not merely regulatory. It is a firm statement of our shared commitment to combat financial crimes and safeguard economic stability.”
Saamoi noted that as Liberia’s financial sector grows in scale and complexity, risks of illicit flows also rise. “Strengthening our compliance posture is no longer optional. It is a strategic necessity — one that determines our competitiveness, our access to global markets, and the trust placed in our institutions,” he added.
The directive mandates: Stricter verification of beneficial ownership, enhanced scrutiny of politically exposed persons, risk-based monitoring of complex and cross-border transactions, improved record-keeping and reporting standards, and stronger collaboration between financial institutions and regulators
FIA Officer-in-Charge Mohammed Ali Nasser said the measures respond to deficiencies flagged in international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing assessments.
“This process is critical for Liberia,” Nasser stated. “Weak due diligence creates opportunities for illicit funds to move through our system. This directive helps close those gaps.”
Both institutions pledged sustained cooperation to ensure effective implementation, signaling what officials describe as a new phase of strengthened oversight, transparency, and financial security.
