Ivorian government boosts financial crime fight with new GIABA centre in Abidjan
New GIABA information centre opens in Abidjan to strengthen West African financial security
The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, officially inaugurated the new premises of the Groupe intergouvernemental d’action contre le blanchiment d’argent en Afrique (GIABA) Information Centre in Cocody, Abidjan. The handover ceremony, held on 12 August 2026, marks a significant step in Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to regional cooperation against financial crime.
The facility, provided under the Host Agreement with the Ivorian government, reinforces regional efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Its establishment stems from a 2010 decision by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which led to the creation of two information centres: one in Lagos for English-speaking countries and another in Abidjan for French and Portuguese-speaking member states.
The Abidjan centre opened in 2015 following the signing of the Host Agreement in Yamoussoukro in March 2014. Since then, it has played a vital role in raising awareness, training stakeholders and supporting mutual evaluation processes across West Africa.
Enhancing regional cooperation against financial crime
Speaking at the inauguration, Adama Coulibaly highlighted the growing sophistication of money laundering and terrorism financing networks. He stressed that no single country can tackle these challenges alone, calling for stronger regional collaboration through shared intelligence, expertise and resources.
The new centre is designed to serve as a regional hub for awareness campaigns, capacity-building, research, documentation and communication. Coulibaly expressed confidence that it will become a key asset in the fight against illicit financial flows in West Africa.
GIABA director calls for collective action in new phase
The outgoing GIABA Director General, Edwin W. Harris Jr., reflected on the centre’s achievements since 2015, including public awareness events, youth engagement programmes and media training sessions. He described the expanded facilities as a strategic investment to strengthen the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing among ECOWAS French and Portuguese-speaking members.
Harris Jr. urged governments, financial institutions, law enforcement, academia and civil society to utilise the centre’s resources and participate in upcoming training sessions. A key innovation is the new Computer-Based Training (CBT) facility, offering specialised modules for professionals such as financial institutions, regulators and legal practitioners. These programmes will be certified, helping to professionalise regional expertise in combating financial crime.
The inauguration also carries symbolic weight, as Harris Jr.’s mandate concludes on 31 August 2026. The timing underscores a commitment to leaving behind a lasting tool for cooperation, information-sharing and skills development in the fight against illicit financial flows.
Looking ahead: training and innovation at the heart of the new centre
The expanded centre will prioritise youth engagement, offering learning opportunities for students, researchers and young professionals. The goal is to foster a culture of integrity, good governance and economic development across West Africa.
With its upgraded facilities and new training capabilities, the GIABA Information Centre in Abidjan is poised to become a regional leader in financial crime prevention, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard regional economies.
