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 Abidjan’s Deux-Plateaux district on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
The new facility, a state-of-the-art, fully operational space, symbolizes the government’s commitment to supporting GIABA’s mission of combating financial crime. During the ceremony, Minister Coulibaly emphasized that these modern premises will serve as a hub for sharing best practices and expertise in countering money laundering and terrorist financing across the region.
From agreement to reality: Côte d’Ivoire’s strategic commitment
The decision to establish a dedicated headquarters in Abidjan was formalized on March 29, 2014, during the 44th ECOWAS Heads of State summit in Yamoussoukro. This followed a 2010 ECOWAS ministerial directive—issued in Abuja—to create two regional information centers: one in Lagos for English-speaking countries and one in Abidjan for francophone and lusophone nations.
Minister Coulibaly highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in meeting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliance deadlines, particularly through the successful implementation of a 2024 action plan aimed at strengthening the country’s anti-money laundering framework. He called on all stakeholders to intensify efforts to disrupt financial networks fueling organized crime and terrorism.
GIABA celebrates institutional growth in West Africa
Edwin Harris Junior, GIABA Director General, praised Côte d’Ivoire’s leadership for reinforcing regional mechanisms against transnational financial crime. He expressed gratitude to H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire, and the government for their unwavering support, which has significantly bolstered GIABA’s operational footprint in the country.
A regional hub for knowledge and collaboration
General Idrissa Touré, Chair of Côte d’Ivoire’s Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF), described the new center as a catalyst for innovation, cooperation and action. Designed to serve as a regional resource, it will focus on training, research, documentation and advocacy, empowering francophone and lusophone states to strengthen their counter-financial crime strategies.
The inauguration brought together senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Planning and Development, alongside representatives from the Liberian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, UNDP and UNICEF.
