Abidjan, August 12, 2026 – Adama Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, officially inaugurated and handed over the keys to the new headquarters of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in the Abidjan district of Deux-Plateaux, Seventh Tranche.
The minister emphasized the significance of this milestone: « Today marks the official transfer of a modern, fully equipped and operational facility. This gesture reflects the Ivorian government’s unwavering commitment to supporting GIABA’s mission in combating financial crime. These new premises will serve as a vital hub for sharing best practices and expertise in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. »
Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA formalized their partnership on March 29, 2014, in Yamoussoukro during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit. This agreement aligned with the decisions made at the 65th ECOWAS Council of Ministers session in Abuja, Nigeria, on November 26, 2010, which called for the establishment of two regional centers dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing—one in Lagos (Nigeria) for English-speaking countries and another in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) for French- and Portuguese-speaking nations.
Highlighting Côte d’Ivoire’s progress, Minister Coulibaly stated: « Under GIABA’s guidance, our nation successfully implemented, ahead of schedule, the action plan adopted in October 2024 to strengthen our national framework against money laundering. » He urged all stakeholders to intensify their efforts in disrupting financial criminals and cutting off their funding streams.
Edwin Harris Junior, GIABA’s Director-General, expressed gratitude: « This development underscores the trust placed in our organization and the Ivorian authorities’ dedication to enhancing regional mechanisms for preventing and combating transnational crime. » He extended sincere appreciation to President Alassane Ouattara and the entire government for their steadfast support, which has bolstered GIABA’s institutional presence in Côte d’Ivoire.
General Idrissa Touré, President of the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), noted: « The inauguration of this center injects fresh momentum into our work, focusing on knowledge-sharing, cooperation and action. » He added that the facility will serve as a regional hub for awareness, training, research, documentation, communication, and collaboration for French- and Portuguese-speaking countries.
The ceremony drew participation from representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Planning and Development, the Ambassador of Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire, as well as delegates from UNDP and UNICEF.
More Stories
Senegal court rules against Atos in DGPU contract dispute
Ebomaf’s surge in gabonese public contracts raises transparency concerns
Political leaders condemn offensive remarks against Gabon’s President