Ivory Coast hosts regional hub for financial crime prevention
The Ivory Coast’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, inaugurated new premises for the GIABA Information Centre in Cocody, Abidjan, on August 12, 2026. The facility, provided by the Ivorian government under the terms of the Headquarters Agreement, marks a major step in strengthening West African cooperation against financial crime.
From vision to action: the journey of the GIABA Abidjan hub
The decision to establish an information center in Abidjan was made by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers during its 65th ordinary session in Abuja on November 26, 2010. This initiative led to the creation of two regional hubs: one in Lagos for English-speaking member states, and another in Abidjan to serve Francophone and Lusophone countries.
The Abidjan centre officially launched on September 21, 2015, following the signing of the Headquarters Agreement between Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA in Yamoussoukro on March 29, 2014, during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit.
Strengthening regional defenses against financial crime
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Coulibaly emphasized that money laundering and terrorist financing schemes are becoming increasingly complex, with new channels and methods emerging. He stressed the need for coordinated regional action, noting that no single country can tackle financial crime effectively alone. Pooling expertise, intelligence and resources is essential to building a robust defense against illicit financial flows.
He described the new centre as a regional platform dedicated to awareness-raising, capacity building, research, documentation and communication for ECOWAS member states and the wider West African community. His vision is for the facility to serve as a center of excellence in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
GIABA director highlights decade of impact and future ambitions
GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. reflected on the centre’s achievements since 2015, including open days for youth, public conferences, regional public speaking contests, and training seminars for media professionals, religious leaders and civil society organizations. The centre has also supported mutual evaluation processes by strengthening national capacities.
With the move to its new premises, the centre is set to scale up its operations. Harris described the investment as strategic for Francophone and Lusophone ECOWAS members, positioning the hub as a regional hub for knowledge, innovation and cooperation in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT).
He called on public administrations, financial institutions, regulated professions, universities, research centers, media, civil society and technical partners to actively engage with the centre, participate in its training programs and contribute to its activities. Special emphasis will be placed on engaging young people, students, researchers and emerging professionals to foster integrity, good governance and sustainable economic development in West Africa.
A digital leap forward: computer-based training arrives in Abidjan
One of the most significant upgrades in the new facility is the Computer-Based Training (CBT) centre. This platform will offer tailored training modules for a wide range of users, including competent authorities, financial institutions, regulated professions, magistrates, investigators, academics, students and other stakeholders involved in AML/CFT prevention and enforcement.
These specialized programs can lead to certification, helping to professionalize regional expertise and consolidate skills in combating illicit financial flows across West Africa.
Leaving a lasting legacy
The timing of the inauguration is symbolic: GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. will complete his mandate on August 31, 2026. The opening of the new centre just days before his departure underscores a commitment to leave behind a sustainable tool for enhancing cooperation, information sharing and skill development in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing among ECOWAS member states and partners.
