Modern facility reinforces West Africa’s fight against money laundering
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – A milestone in regional financial security was achieved today as Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, officially opened the new headquarters of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in the Two-Plateaux district. The handover ceremony marked the delivery of a fully equipped, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve as a hub for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Minister Coulibaly emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting GIABA’s mission, stating, “This modern infrastructure reflects our dedication to combating financial crime and terrorism financing. It provides a professional platform for sharing best practices and strengthening regional defenses.”
Under a host country agreement signed in Yamoussoukro in 2014, Côte d’Ivoire was designated as the regional center for French- and Portuguese-speaking nations, complementing a similar facility in Lagos for English-speaking countries. This strategic move follows a 2010 ECOWAS decision to establish two specialized information centers dedicated to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.
Côte d’Ivoire meets global standards ahead of schedule
Highlighting the country’s progress, Coulibaly noted, “With GIABA’s support, Côte d’Ivoire has successfully implemented its action plan months ahead of the Financial Action Task Force deadline set for late 2024. This achievement underscores our ability to meet international compliance requirements while disrupting criminal networks.”
The GIABA Director General, Edwin Harris Junior, praised Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership, saying, “This new facility symbolizes the trust placed in our organization and the Ivorian government’s resolve to combat transnational financial crime. We are deeply grateful to President Alassane Ouattara and his administration for their unwavering support.”
A regional hub for financial intelligence
General Idrissa Touré, Chair of the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), described the inauguration as a turning point: “This center will drive knowledge-sharing, cooperation and proactive measures. As a regional resource, it will enhance training, research, and documentation for French- and Portuguese-speaking states.”
The ceremony brought together high-level representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Planning and Development, as well as ambassadors and officials from the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF.