The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) of Liberia, have concluded a day-long intergovernmental risk assessment workshop in Monrovia. According to a release, the workshop was held and on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and attended by stakeholders in the mineral sector as well as government officials, sector regulators to assess the risks of illicit financial flows, money laundering, and terrorist financing linked to Liberia’s mineral and high-value commodities.
The release quotes Mines and Energy Deputy Minister for Operations, William Hines, as emphasizing the importance of building stronger institutional safeguards to protect Liberia’s mineral sector from criminal abuse. Deputy Minister Hines noted that the workshop principally focused on compliance and ensuring that country s vast natural resources contribute meaningfully to national development. In his deliberations, the Officer-In Charge of the Financial Intelligence Agency, FIA, Mohammed Nasser, described cross-border movement of illegal money, illicit financial flows, and suspicious transactions as critical threats undermining Liberia’s economic integrity.
“Liberia is currently flagged in red,” Nasser revealed, while expressing gratitude to German development partner GIZ for its technical support. The FIA’s Officer-in-Charge also lauded the Ministry of Mines and Energy for its partnership in convening the forum.” In remarks, The Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, underscored how crucial risk assessment is, especially for artisanal and small-scale mining operations. Minister Paye then announced that twenty geologists and county staff are currently being processed for deployment across Liberia to strengthen oversight at the county level.
The Mines and Energy Minister further disclosed that the Ministry is transitioning to a fully digital licensing system to curb malpractice in the mining sector. He commended GIZ, and other partners who have dedicated attention and support to working along with the Liberian Government to discourage acts inimical to keeping the mining sector vibrant and properly regulated.
The initiative is part of Liberia’s ongoing reforms to strengthen transparency and align with international standards such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. By reinforcing safeguards against financial crimes in the mining value chain, the government aims to ensure that natural resources serve as a driver of sustainable development rather than a channel for criminal acts.
