New Abidjan facility strengthens West Africa’s financial crime prevention
Cocody witnessed a landmark event this August as Ivory Coast’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, inaugurated the freshly renovated GIABA Information Center during a high-profile ceremony. The upgraded facility, handed over in line with the Host Country Agreement, marks a significant milestone in regional efforts to combat financial crimes.
The decision to establish the GIABA Information Center in Abidjan dates back to a 2010 ECOWAS Council of Ministers resolution taken during the 65th ordinary session in Abuja. This landmark decision led to the creation of two specialized centers: one in Lagos for Anglophone nations and another in Abidjan serving Francophone and Lusophone member states.
The Abidjan center first opened its doors in September 2015 following the signing of the Host Country Agreement between Ivory Coast and GIABA in March 2014, during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit in Yamoussoukro.
Regional cooperation takes center stage
During the inauguration, Minister Coulibaly emphasized the growing sophistication of money laundering and terrorist financing schemes. He stressed that no single nation can tackle these evolving threats alone, highlighting the need for coordinated regional responses and shared expertise.
The minister described the new center as a comprehensive regional platform dedicated to awareness-raising, capacity building, research, documentation and communication. He expressed hopes that this facility would become an excellence hub in the fight against financial crimes across the ECOWAS community.
GIABA director outlines vision for regional hub
Edwin W. Harris Jr., GIABA’s Director General, reflected on the center’s achievements since 2015. The facility has organized numerous initiatives including open days for youth, public conferences, regional public speaking competitions and specialized training seminars for media professionals, religious leaders and civil society organizations.
The renovated center now includes a Computer-Based Training facility, offering specialized modules tailored to different user profiles. These programs will benefit financial institutions, regulated professions, magistrates, investigators, academics and students involved in anti-financial crime efforts.
Harris Jr. emphasized that the new infrastructure represents a strategic investment for Francophone and Lusophone ECOWAS members, positioning the center as a regional knowledge hub for combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Training and certification for professionals
The center’s enhanced facilities will deliver targeted training programs leading to professional certifications. These modules, designed to meet specific regional needs, aim to professionalize expertise and strengthen West Africa’s collective capabilities in preventing illicit financial flows.
A particular focus will be placed on engaging youth, students, researchers and young professionals to foster a culture of integrity, good governance and economic development across the region.
Legacy project as mandate concludes
The timing of the inauguration holds special significance as it occurs just days before Harris Jr.’s mandate as GIABA Director General comes to an end on August 31, 2026. The upgraded facility stands as a lasting contribution to regional cooperation, information sharing and capacity development in the fight against financial crimes.
