New giaba headquarters in Abidjan strengthens west africa’s fight against financial crime

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire — On a bright Wednesday morning in August 2026, Adama Coulibaly, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, officially inaugurated the new headquarters of the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in the Deux-Plateaux district of Abidjan. The event culminated in the symbolic handover of the keys to the state-of-the-art facility, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to combating financial crime.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Coulibaly underscored the importance of the modern infrastructure, stating, “This inauguration represents more than just the transfer of keys—it embodies Côte d’Ivoire’s unwavering dedication to supporting GIABA’s mission. The new headquarters will serve as a hub for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and expertise exchange, reinforcing our collective efforts to dismantle money laundering networks and disrupt terrorist financing across the region.”

The partnership between Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA traces back to a landmark agreement signed on March 29, 2014, in Yamoussoukro. This agreement, a direct response to resolutions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Council of Ministers meeting in Abuja in November 2010, designated Abidjan as the regional center for Francophone and Lusophone countries in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Lagos was similarly designated for Anglophone nations.

Minister Coulibaly also highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in meeting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) deadlines for implementing its 2024 action plan aimed at strengthening national anti-money laundering frameworks. He urged all stakeholders—government agencies, financial institutions, and international partners—to redouble their efforts in identifying and dismantling the financial networks that sustain organized crime.

Edwin Harris Junior, GIABA’s Director General, expressed gratitude for Côte d’Ivoire’s steadfast support, noting, “The establishment of this headquarters in Abidjan is a testament to the trust placed in GIABA and the strong institutional backing from the Ivorian government. President Alassane Ouattara’s leadership and the government’s commitment have been instrumental in solidifying GIABA’s presence and impact in West Africa.”

General Idrissa Touré, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), emphasized the center’s broader regional role. “This facility will drive a new wave of collaboration, research, and training, positioning Côte d’Ivoire as a key player in the fight against financial crime. It will serve as a regional resource for awareness campaigns, documentation, and cross-border cooperation among Francophone and Lusophone states.”

The ceremony brought together high-profile attendees, including representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Planning and Development. Also present were Liberia’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, along with delegates from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, reflecting the international significance of the initiative.