Liberia Intensifies Anti-Fraud Crackdown With 150 Newly Certified Examiners

More than 150 professionals across Liberia's public and private sectors have been certified in fraud detection and prevention following intensive training symposiums held in Paynesville City. The initiative, organized by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Liberia Chapter, represents a significant expansion of the country's capacity to combat financial and procurement fraud at a time when concerns about corruption continue to hamper development efforts.

The three-day certification program, conducted from November 27 to December 2, 2025, brought together auditors, law enforcement officers, lawyers, bankers, and compliance professionals to address what experts describe as systemic vulnerabilities in Liberia's financial oversight mechanisms. Participants received specialized training in identifying procurement fraud schemes and integrating fraud risk management into enterprise operations.

Background and Context

Liberia's struggle with financial fraud has long been recognized as a barrier to economic development and foreign investment. According to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, West Africa continues to face significant challenges in financial integrity, with procurement fraud identified as one of the most prevalent forms of corruption in government contracting.

The establishment of the ACFE Liberia Chapter (#198) marks a coordinated effort to professionalize fraud examination in a country where traditional oversight mechanisms have often proved inadequate. The chapter's president, Attorney Augustine G. Chenoway, emphasized that the training addresses critical gaps in technical expertise, particularly in detecting sophisticated digital fraud schemes that have become increasingly common in developing economies.

Key Figures and Entities

The ACFE Liberia Chapter has emerged as a central hub for anti-fraud expertise in the country, bringing together professionals from diverse sectors to create what Chenoway describes as "a powerful network committed to protecting trust, transparency, and ethical leadership." The chapter's certification program adheres to international standards established by the global ACFE, which has certified over 200,000 fraud examination professionals worldwide.

Among the newly certified professionals is Janet Jackson, an auditor who spoke on behalf of the graduates about the transformative impact of the training. "The symposium was indeed mind-blowing," Jackson stated. "We now have the skills, knowledge, and techniques to combat and arrest financial and procurement fraud." The certification represents a significant credential enhancement for professionals working in Liberia's financial oversight institutions.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

The training curriculum focused on two critical areas: integrating fraud risks into enterprise risk management frameworks and identifying red flags in procurement and asset management processes. These mechanisms are particularly relevant in Liberia, where public procurement has historically been vulnerable to collusive schemes and bid rigging.

Participants learned to apply forensic accounting techniques and digital forensic tools to trace illicit financial flows through complex corporate structures. The training also covered legal frameworks for prosecuting fraud cases, including evidence preservation requirements and international cooperation mechanisms for cross-border financial crimes.

International Implications and Policy Response

The expansion of Liberia's certified fraud examiner capacity aligns with broader international efforts to strengthen financial integrity in developing nations. The World Bank's Financial Integrity program has emphasized the importance of building local expertise to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, particularly in jurisdictions with limited regulatory resources.

However, challenges remain. As Chenoway noted, Liberia's status as a developing country means it continues to lag behind in implementing sophisticated digital monitoring systems. The newly certified professionals will need institutional support and resources to apply their training effectively, particularly in investigating complex procurement fraud schemes that often involve international contractors.

Sources

This report draws on statements from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Liberia Chapter, participant testimony from the December 2025 certification symposium, and international anti-corruption research from Transparency International and the World Bank. Additional context was provided by the ACFE's global certification standards and West African regional financial integrity assessments.