New GIABA information centre in Abidjan boosts anti-money laundering efforts

The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, presided over the official handover ceremony in Cocody on Wednesday, marking the inauguration of the new premises of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in Africa (GIABA) Information Centre.

This state-of-the-art facility, provided to GIABA by the Ivorian government as part of the Headquarters Agreement, represents a significant milestone in bolstering regional cooperation against financial crime. The decision to establish the GIABA Information Centre in Abidjan dates back to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja on 26 November 2010, which called for the creation of two centres: one in Lagos for English-speaking countries and another in Abidjan serving francophone and lusophone member states.

The Abidjan centre opened its doors on 21 September 2015, following the signing of the Headquarters Agreement in Yamoussoukro on 29 March 2014, during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit.

Strengthening regional defences against evolving financial threats

Speaking at the ceremony, Adama Coulibaly underscored the critical role of the new infrastructure in combating sophisticated money laundering and terrorism financing schemes. He highlighted the urgent need for a coordinated regional response, noting that no single country can effectively tackle these challenges alone.

« The mutualisation of expertise, intelligence and resources is no longer an option but a necessity, » he stated. The centre is designed to serve as a regional hub for awareness-raising, capacity building, research, documentation and communication, supporting all ECOWAS member states and the wider West African community.

For Adama Coulibaly, this facility must evolve into an exemplary tool in the fight against illicit financial flows and terrorism financing.

GIABA’s outgoing Director General hails decade of impact and future potential

Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director General of GIABA, reflected on the Abidjan centre’s achievements since 2015. Under his leadership, the facility has hosted open days for youth, public conferences, regional public speaking competitions, and tailored training sessions for media professionals, religious leaders and civil society organisations.

It has also played a key role in supporting mutual evaluation processes by strengthening the technical capabilities of national authorities. With its expanded and modernised premises, the centre is poised to take its mission to the next level, becoming a regional hub for knowledge, innovation and cooperation in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT).

Edwin W. Harris Jr. called on public administrations, financial institutions, regulated professions, universities, research centres, media outlets, civil society groups and technical partners to fully utilise the space and participate in its training, conferences and activities.

Special emphasis will be placed on engaging young people—students, researchers and early-career professionals—with the goal of transforming the centre into a dynamic learning environment that promotes integrity, good governance and sustainable economic development across West Africa.

Cutting-edge training tools for a stronger AML/CFT ecosystem

A major innovation in the new premises is the introduction of a Computer-Based Training (CBT) Centre, offering specialised modules designed for diverse user profiles. From competent authorities and financial institutions to judges, investigators, academics and students, these programmes will deliver targeted learning experiences.

Participants can earn certificates upon completion, contributing to the professionalisation and consolidation of regional expertise in combating illicit financial flows. This initiative marks a strategic investment in the capacity of francophone and lusophone ECOWAS member states to strengthen their AML/CFT frameworks.

The inauguration of the new centre, just days before the end of Edwin W. Harris Jr.’s mandate on 31 August 2026, signals a commitment to leaving behind a sustainable tool for enhanced cooperation, information sharing and skills development in the ongoing battle against financial crime.