MONROVIA – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has achieved another international milestone as its Manager of Customs Risk Management and Intelligence, Abraham F. Siafa, advanced to the final stage of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Diagnostic Facilitator Accreditation Process under the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM). The program prepares experienced Customs professionals to assess organizational performance and support institutional reforms across Customs administrations worldwide.
Mr. Siafa reached this landmark following his successful participation in the WCO Pre-Accreditation Workshop for Diagnostic Facilitators, held from June 8–12, 2026, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The workshop brought together customs professionals from WCO Member administrations to strengthen their expertise in organizational performance measurement, institutional reform, and Customs modernization.
The World Customs Organization (WCO)… is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
In a letter addressed to LRA Commissioner of Customs Saa Saamoi, WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders informed the Liberia Revenue Authority that Mr. Siafa had demonstrated great potential throughout the program and had been invited by WCO facilitators to advance to the final stage of the accreditation process.
Throughout the workshop, WCO facilitators assessed participants on their technical knowledge of the WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism, analytical and facilitation skills, and their ability to support customs administrations in conducting organizational performance assessments and engaging senior leadership on reform and modernization initiatives.
The final stage of the accreditation process will require Mr. Siafa to participate in either an in-country or virtual diagnostic mission alongside an accredited WCO expert.
The WCO Performance Measurement Mechanism is a globally recognized framework that enables customs administrations to measure, monitor, and continuously improve organizational performance against internationally accepted standards, strengthening governance and supporting evidence-based institutional reform. Accredited Diagnostic Facilitators support WCO Member administrations in conducting organizational performance assessments and advancing Customs modernization initiatives based on international best practices.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen the country’s technical capacity to implement internationally recognized customs standards while supporting faster cargo clearance, stronger risk management, improved revenue collection, enhanced border security, and more efficient trade facilitation. It also reinforces Liberia’s growing contribution to regional and global Customs capacity-building initiatives.
Congratulating Mr. Siafa on his achievement, Commissioner of Customs Saa Saamoi described the advancement as a significant accomplishment and a reflection of the Authority’s commitment to developing world-class Customs professionals.
“Mr. Siafa’s achievement is a testament to his professionalism and the Liberia Revenue Authority’s commitment to developing a highly skilled Customs workforce. His advancement reflects our commitment to investing in our people and building a customs administration that meets international standards, facilitates legitimate trade, and safeguards national revenue,” Commissioner Saamoi said.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Siafa has established himself as a respected Customs professional with extensive expertise in Customs compliance, enforcement, risk management, intelligence, and trade facilitation.
He previously served as Vice Chairperson of the WCO Permanent Technical Committee from April 2024 to April 2026 and is a recipient of the WCO Certificate of Merit in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Customs administration.
The Manager of Customs Risk Management and Intelligence has led initiatives that strengthened Customs modernization, advanced intelligence-led risk management, improved compliance, and enhanced trade facilitation while promoting transparent, accountable, and technology-driven border management.
Mr. Siafa’s advancement further strengthens Liberia’s technical capacity to contribute to organizational performance assessments, institutional reforms, and capacity-building initiatives within the international Customs community. It also reflects the Liberia Revenue Authority’s sustained investment in professional development, international cooperation, and institutional excellence.
His progression reflects the growing recognition of Liberian Customs professionals within the international Customs community and demonstrates the value of sustained investment in technical expertise.
As the Liberia Revenue Authority continues implementing strategic reforms, investments in technical expertise such as this continue to strengthen national capacity, deepen international cooperation, and reinforce Liberia’s contribution to Customs excellence.
Through sustained investment in its staff, systems, and partnerships, the LRA is building a modern Customs administration that facilitates legitimate trade, safeguards national revenue, and delivers efficient, transparent, and accountable services aligned with international standards and Liberia’s long-term development objectives.
