The Ivory Coast’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly, officially inaugurated the newly built GIABA Information Centre in Cocody on August 12, 2026, marking a significant step forward in the regional fight against financial crime.
The facility, provided by the Ivorian government under the Headquarters Agreement, strengthens West Africa’s capacity to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows, including money laundering and terrorist financing.
From Vision to Reality: A Decade of Progress
The decision to establish the Abidjan-based centre was made by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers during its 65th ordinary session in Abuja on November 26, 2010. It was designed to serve francophone and lusophone member states, complementing a similar hub in Lagos for English-speaking countries.
The centre opened its doors in Abidjan on September 21, 2015, following the signing of the Headquarters Agreement between the Ivory Coast and GIABA in Yamoussoukro on March 29, 2014, on the sidelines of the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation Against Financial Crime
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Coulibaly emphasized the growing sophistication of money laundering and terrorism financing networks, which now span multiple jurisdictions and use advanced technologies.
He stressed that no single country can tackle these challenges alone, calling for stronger regional collaboration. “The new centre will serve as a regional platform for awareness-raising, capacity-building, research, documentation, and communication,” he said. “It must become a tool of excellence in the fight against illicit financial flows.”
GIABA Director-General Edwin W. Harris Jr. highlighted the centre’s achievements since 2015, including public awareness campaigns, youth-focused events, media training, and capacity-building seminars for religious leaders and civil society.
He described the expanded facilities as a strategic investment for Francophone and Lusophone ECOWAS members, positioning the centre as a regional hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and cooperation in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Expanding Access Through Technology and Training
The new premises include a Computer-Based Training (CBT) centre, offering specialized modules tailored to different user groups. These include law enforcement, financial institutions, judges, academics, students, and professionals involved in anti-financial crime efforts.
Participants can earn certificates upon completion, supporting the professionalization of regional expertise in tackling illicit finance. The centre will also host conferences, roundtables, and research initiatives focused on governance, integrity, and economic development.
Harris Jr., whose tenure ends on August 31, 2026, noted that the inauguration—just days before his departure—signals a commitment to leaving a lasting tool for regional cooperation, information sharing, and skills development in financial crime prevention.
The new centre invites public administrations, financial regulators, universities, media outlets, civil society groups, and technical partners to actively engage with its programs and contribute to building a more secure and transparent financial environment in West Africa.