The Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, today presided over the official handover ceremony for the new GIABA Information Centre in Cocody. The event marked the inauguration of enhanced facilities dedicated to combating financial crime across West Africa.

This state-of-the-art infrastructure, provided by the Ivorian Government under the terms of the Host Agreement, represents a major milestone in regional cooperation. Its primary mission is to strengthen efforts against money laundering and terrorist financing through improved information sharing and coordinated action.

The decision to establish the Abidjan centre dates back to a ECOWAS Council of Ministers resolution passed on 26 November 2010 during the 65th ordinary session in Abuja. The initiative led to the creation of two information hubs: one in Lagos, Nigeria for anglophone countries, and the Abidjan facility serving francophone and lusophone member states.

The centre first opened its doors on 21 September 2015 following the signing of the Host Agreement between Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA on 29 March 2014 in Yamoussoukro, coinciding with the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit.

Strengthening regional financial security

During the ceremony, Minister Coulibaly emphasized the growing sophistication of money laundering schemes and terrorist financing networks. He highlighted that no single nation can address these challenges alone, stressing the critical need for regional collaboration.

“The new centre will serve as a regional platform for awareness-raising, capacity building, research, documentation and communication,” he stated. “Its mission is to become a tool of excellence in our collective fight against illicit financial flows.”

Expanding impact with enhanced facilities

Edwin W. Harris Jr., outgoing Director General of GIABA, reflected on the centre’s achievements since 2015. Under his leadership, the facility has organized public awareness campaigns, youth-focused events, media training sessions and capacity-building workshops for religious leaders and civil society organizations.

He described the new premises as a strategic investment that will transform the centre into a regional knowledge hub for francophone and lusophone ECOWAS members. The upgraded facilities include a Computer-Based Training (CBT) Centre offering specialized modules tailored to different professional profiles.

The training programs will target competent authorities, financial institutions, regulated professions, magistrates, investigators, academics and students—all key actors in the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing ecosystem. Participants will have access to certified modules designed to professionalize regional expertise in combating illicit financial activities.

Building a sustainable future for West African financial integrity

The Director General underscored the centre’s role in fostering innovation, cooperation and knowledge exchange. He called on public administrations, financial institutions, universities, research centres, media outlets and civil society organizations to actively engage with the new space and participate in its programs.

A special focus will be placed on engaging young professionals, researchers and students to nurture the next generation of financial crime prevention experts. The ultimate goal is to establish the centre as a dynamic learning environment that promotes integrity, good governance and sustainable economic development across West Africa.

The inauguration comes just days before the end of Edwin W. Harris Jr.’s mandate on 31 August 2026, symbolizing a commitment to leaving behind a durable tool for regional cooperation in the fight against financial crime.