New giaba headquarters in Abidjan signals stronger fight against financial crime

Ivorian authorities hand over modern GIABA headquarters to combat illicit finance

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire – The nation’s commitment to combating financial crime took a concrete step forward as Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget Adama Coulibaly presided over the official inauguration and key handover of the new headquarters for the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in the Deux-Plateaux district of Abidjan.

The event marked the transfer of a fully equipped, operational facility designed to serve as a modern hub for knowledge exchange, expertise sharing and coordinated action against money laundering and terrorist financing across the region.

Coulibaly emphasized that the move reflects the Ivorian government’s resolve to support GIABA’s mission by providing a professional environment where officials, experts and stakeholders can collaborate effectively. He stressed that the new premises will enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s capacity to implement national strategies and align with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Regional commitment takes shape in Abidjan

The agreement enabling this project was signed in Yamoussoukro on March 29, 2014, during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit. It responded directly to a 2010 ECOWAS ministerial decision adopted in Abuja, Nigeria, which called for the establishment of two regional information centers—one in Lagos for English-speaking countries and one in Abidjan for French- and Portuguese-speaking nations.

GIABA Director General Edwin Harris Junior welcomed the handover, noting that the new facility underscores the organization’s growing institutional presence in Côte d’Ivoire and the government’s dedication to strengthening regional defenses against transnational financial crime. He expressed gratitude to President Alassane Ouattara and the entire administration for their steadfast support.

National and regional impact

General Idrissa Touré, head of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), highlighted the center’s potential to drive a new era of collaboration, training and research. He described it as a vital regional asset for raising awareness, sharing best practices, compiling documentation and fostering communication among Francophone and Lusophone states.

The ceremony brought together senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Planning and Development, alongside representatives from Liberia’s embassy in Côte d’Ivoire and international partners such as UNDP and UNICEF.

With this state-of-the-art facility now operational, Côte d’Ivoire reinforces its role as a key player in West Africa’s fight against illicit financial flows and terrorist financing, setting a benchmark for regional cooperation and compliance.