Modern facilities inaugurated in Abidjan to strengthen financial crime prevention

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The official inauguration of the new headquarters for the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) took place today in the Deux-Plateaux area of Abidjan. The ceremony, presided over by Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, marked the handover of the keys to this state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance regional cooperation in combating financial crimes.

Government commitment to strengthening anti-money laundering systems

« This inauguration represents more than just a building; it symbolizes Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering commitment to supporting GIABA’s mission against financial crime, » declared Minister Coulibaly during the event. « The modern infrastructure will serve as a hub for sharing best practices and expertise in combating money laundering and terrorist financing across West Africa. »

The West African initiative traces back to 2014 when Côte d’Ivoire signed a host country agreement with GIABA during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State summit in Yamoussoukro. This agreement aligned with ECOWAS decisions made in November 2010 to establish two regional centers dedicated to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. While the English-speaking countries were assigned Lagos, the Francophone and Lusophone nations, including Côte d’Ivoire, secured Abidjan as their operational base.

Côte d’Ivoire meets global compliance standards ahead of schedule

Minister Coulibaly highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s success in implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan before its deadline. « Through collaborative efforts with GIABA, we have strengthened our national framework against financial crimes, demonstrating our commitment to regional security, » he stated. The minister urged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts in tracking down financial criminals and cutting off their funding sources.

Edwin Harris Junior, GIABA Director General, expressed gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara and the Ivorian government for their steadfast support. « This facility reflects the confidence placed in our organization and the dedication of Ivorian authorities to regional crime prevention mechanisms, » he noted. The new headquarters will serve as an institutional anchor for GIABA’s expanded presence in West Africa.

New opportunities for regional financial intelligence cooperation

General Idrissa Touré, Head of the National Financial Information Processing Cell (CENTIF), emphasized the center’s transformative potential. « This inauguration launches a new era of knowledge sharing, cooperation and action, » he said. The facility is poised to become a regional resource for training, research, documentation and communication, benefiting all Francophone and Lusophone states in West Africa.

The ceremony brought together key representatives including officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Planning and Development, alongside ambassadors and representatives from international organizations like UNDP and UNICEF.