The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) of Sierra Leone has officially been admitted into the prestigious Egmont Group, marking a major milestone in the country’s fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
The announcement was made during the Egmont Group’s plenary session held in Luxembourg, where FIA Director General, David N. Borbor, formally accepted the country’s membership and pledged Sierra Leone’s commitment to international standards of financial intelligence.
FIA’s admission comes after an eight-year journey since its initial application. The development elevates the Agency to a global platform alongside more than 170 Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) from across the world, all dedicated to the secured exchange of financial data and collaborative action against financial crime.
“This is not merely a symbolic gesture,” said DG David N. Borbor during his acceptance speech. “It is a fundamental step toward enhancing our operational capabilities, strengthening our analytical intelligence and most importantly expanding our reach in cross-border financial investigations. Financial crime knows no borders and effective collaboration among FIUs is the most potent weapon in our arsenal.”
The Egmont Group provides a critical network for secure communication and intelligence sharing among its members. For FIA Sierra Leone, membership opens the door to vital resources, including access to protected communication platforms, technical assistance, specialized training and enhanced cooperation in complex international investigations.
FIA will now be better equipped to tackle financial crimes that transcend borders, positioning Sierra Leone as a credible partner in global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts.
The achievement also reflects the Bio administration’s broader commitment to aligning Sierra Leone with international financial governance structures. Observers view the admission as a testament to President Julius Maada Bio’s policy focus on transparency, accountability and international cooperation.
Having signed the Egmont Charter, DG David N. Borbor reiterated Sierra Leone’s readiness to fully engage with the principles of the network. “FIA Sierra Leone pledges full adherence to the Egmont Charter and the foundational principles for information exchange,” he said. “We are committed to fostering timely, secured and reciprocal information sharing, anchored in mutual trust and respect for the confidentiality and data protection standards that underpin this Group’s success.”
With this new status, the FIA is expected to deepen its institutional capacity, strengthen its global alliances and enhance the country’s ability to detect, prevent and disrupt illicit financial flows.
