Côte d’Ivoire hosts GIABA’s 45th anti-money laundering meeting in Abidjan

Regional leaders convene in Abidjan for critical financial crime discussions

The Côte d’Ivoire is set to host the 45th technical plenary session of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) from May 18 to 23, 2026. This high-level meeting, alongside the 31st ministerial committee gathering, was inaugurated this Thursday in Cocody, bringing together experts, West African government representatives, financial partners, and international observers.

The event, co-organized with the Ivorian government, serves as a pivotal platform for assessing and coordinating strategies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/FT) across the ECOWAS region. Discussions will center on second-cycle mutual evaluation reports, typology studies by the Risk, Trends and Methods Working Group (RTMG), and the activities of the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). Technical assistance mechanisms for member states will also be reviewed.

Ivorian commitment to financial crime fight

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, the Minister of Construction, Housing and Urbanism, Moussa Sanogo, underscored Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering dedication to strengthening regional defenses against financial crime. Under President Alassane Ouattara’s leadership, the country has prioritized systematic, transparent reforms to align with FATF standards.

”Côte d’Ivoire understands its pivotal role in the subregion. We are committed to proactive, methodical action to dismantle illicit financial networks,” Mr. Sanogo stated. He highlighted ongoing structural reforms aimed at modernizing the national framework, noting steady progress despite evolving transnational criminal tactics.

Emphasizing the need for regional solidarity, he stressed that ”no nation can combat these threats alone. Success hinges on shared intelligence, mutual trust, and sustained political will.” He framed the fight against money laundering as essential to economic stability, development, and regional peace.

Mr. Sanogo also pointed out that financial system integrity is critical to attracting investment and safeguarding both domestic and foreign capital flows.

GIABA chair highlights emerging threats and progress

Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Chair of GIABA’s Technical Commission, commended Côte d’Ivoire’s advances in financial governance and interoperable ML/FT data systems. She noted significant technical strides across member states, driven by legislative reforms and upgraded FIUs.

However, she warned of escalating risks posed by cutting-edge technologies, including generative AI, deepfakes, and synthetic identities, which criminals exploit to bypass traditional customer due diligence (CDD) protocols.

”Our detection systems, reporting frameworks, and investigator training must evolve to counter these evolving threats,” she urged. She also called for heightened transparency around beneficial ownership, a cornerstone of GIABA’s third-cycle mutual evaluations.

While praising recent progress by countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Nigeria—recently removed from FATF’s grey list—she encouraged continued technical support for Côte d’Ivoire to expedite its own exit from the list.

Path forward for West Africa’s financial security

The week-long gathering is expected to yield actionable recommendations to bolster prevention, detection, and enforcement mechanisms against illicit financial flows across ECOWAS. With security and technological threats intensifying in West Africa, the outcomes will be crucial in shaping a more resilient regional financial ecosystem.