By Usman Konneh, NRA & Outreach Dept. FIAs
The mantle of leadership for any law enforcement agency/institution requires some exceptional qualities. More exceptional if the institution is an intelligence-gathering office. The role of the Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA)-Sierra Leone should be played by an individual with unblemished character: resilient and a nutcracker. This is because the office demands a leader with higher ratings in integrity, strategic foresight, and unrivalled commitment to the fight against criminals and their networks of financial crimes. Under the untainted leadership of the current Director General, David N. Borbor, the Agency has truly attained some remarkable feats. Apart from being the longest serving staff of the Agency at the moment, his stance on professionalism and quality output is highly commendable. His enviable wealth of experience in working with regional entities like the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and other international pacesetters like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) places him in pole position for the Agency’s top job. The guiding principle of placing the institution above petty interests and to faithfully serve his boss, His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio are the hallmarks of David’s administration.
Under the leadership of David N.
Borbor, a milestone commitment in strengthening our national AML/CFT framework and a significant step in enhancing international cooperation in the fight against financial crime has been achieved by the Financial Intelligence Agency, Sierra Leone and that is the Agency’s breakthrough into the Egmont Group of FIUs. It is a huge success to Sierra Leone’s efforts in trying to check the excesses of criminals and to further curtail and control the dire implications of money laundering, terrorist financing and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Joining the Egmont group is a dream nurtured by every FIU in the World. Therefore, achieving such is never an infinitesimal feat.
Under his stewardship, the Agency has partnered with other competent authorities to uncover major money laundering schemes like My Residual Income Global (popularly known as My Coin), Super Advertis, Evfarmer Capital Limited and many others. With swift response and proper collaboration with other law enforcement authorities, the Borbor administration has helped to save thousands of families from financial chaos.
On the international stage, he commands more respect for his competence on the job. The DG has carried the Green White and Blue on many international assignments. And he has done so with dignity and pride. The story of AML/CFT/PF in Sierra Leone can never be complete without David Borbor taking a Centre stage. The positive strides of his leadership at the FIA have restored international confidence that Sierra Leone is not a safe haven for criminals anymore. This was manifested when GIABA selected in 2024 Sierra Leone to serve as host for the 42nd Technical Commission and Plenary Session after fifteen (15) years. Isn’t that remarkable? Held at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, the event was star studded with over two hundred dignitaries from across the world, including the FATF President in attendance.
At the moment, David is spearheading the draft of a national AML/CFT/CPF strategy that will serve as a roadmap in the AML/CFT/CPF fight for the next four (4) years. Many reforms have been initiated by this man; some have taken effect whilst others are in their embryonic stage.
In conclusion therefore, David Borbor’s commitment, professionalism, thirst for success and resilience earns him the portfolio to continue leading as the Director General of the Financial Intelligence Agency.
