Côte d’Ivoire opens new GIABA headquarters to boost anti-money laundering efforts

Abidjan, August 12, 2026 – Adama Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget, officially inaugurated and handed over the keys to the new headquarters of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in the Abidjan Two-Plateaus district, 7th Tranche.

The ceremony marked the completion of a state-of-the-art facility fully equipped to support GIABA’s mission. « Today, we are not just delivering a building; we are reinforcing our commitment to financial crime prevention, » Minister Coulibaly stated. « This modern space will serve as a hub for knowledge-sharing, expertise exchange, and collaborative action against money laundering and terrorist financing. »

Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA formalized their partnership on March 29, 2014, in Yamoussoukro during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit. This agreement aligned with the ECOWAS Council of Ministers’ decision on November 26, 2010, in Abuja, Nigeria, to establish two regional information centers dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Abidjan was designated as the hub for French- and Portuguese-speaking countries, while Lagos serves the English-speaking nations.

« With GIABA’s support, Côte d’Ivoire successfully met the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) deadline for implementing its national action plan to strengthen anti-money laundering measures, » Coulibaly noted. He urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts in disrupting financial networks that fund criminal enterprises.

Edwin Harris Junior, GIABA’s Director General, praised Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership, calling the new headquarters a testament to the country’s dedication to regional security. « This facility reflects the trust placed in our organization and the Ivorian government’s resolve to bolster transnational crime prevention mechanisms, » he said, extending gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara and his administration for their unwavering support.

General Idrissa Touré, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), emphasized the center’s role in fostering research, cooperation, and action. « This initiative will drive a new wave of regional collaboration, equipping francophone and lusophone nations with tools for training, awareness, and strategic communication, » he explained.

The event drew high-level attendees, including officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Planning and Development, along with Liberia’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire and representatives from UNDP and UNICEF.