ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire — The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a specialized institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has officially inaugurated the new premises of its Information Center in Abidjan.
The facility was formally opened on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during a ceremony attended by senior Ivorian officials, GIABA executives, ECOWAS representatives, members of the diplomatic community and partners involved in combating financial crime.
Speaking at the ceremony, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, H.E. Adama Coulibaly, said the provision of a modern and well-equipped facility demonstrates his government’s commitment to supporting GIABA’s efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes across West Africa.
Coulibaly stressed the importance of strengthening professional training, information sharing and regional cooperation as financial crimes become increasingly sophisticated and cross-border in nature.
He expressed hope that the Abidjan Information Center will develop into a regional center of excellence, providing member states with greater access to knowledge, technical expertise and resources while bringing GIABA closer to stakeholders across the region.
According to the Ivorian official, the creation of the Abidjan Information Center followed a decision by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers during its 65th Ordinary Session held in Abuja on November 26, 2010.
The decision provided for the establishment of two GIABA Information Centers — one in Lagos to primarily serve English-speaking ECOWAS countries and another in Abidjan to serve mainly French- and Portuguese-speaking member states.
GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. thanked the Government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for their continued support to the institution.
Harris said the new premises symbolize the strong relationship between GIABA and Côte d’Ivoire and reflect their shared determination to strengthen the integrity and security of financial systems across West Africa.
He described the facility as a strategic investment for French- and Portuguese-speaking ECOWAS member states, noting that it will serve as a regional platform for training, research, documentation, knowledge sharing, dialogue and cooperation.
Harris encouraged public institutions, regulatory authorities, financial institutions, designated professions, universities, researchers, students, journalists, civil society organizations and development partners to make full use of the facility.
He said stakeholders will have opportunities to participate in training programs, conferences and other activities designed to improve understanding and strengthen regional capacity in the fight against financial crime.
The GIABA Director General said particular attention will be given to young people, students, researchers and emerging professionals, providing them access to resources and learning opportunities in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and related financial crime issues.
“The new Center includes a Computer-Based Training (CBT) facility. With specialized modules for different users, the CBT will help build capacity for authorities, financial institutions, regulated professions, judges, investigators, academics and students,” Harris said.
He also announced plans to establish a virtual library that will provide access to reports, publications, research articles, newsletters and other materials dealing with money laundering, terrorist financing and financial crime.
The formal handover of the facility marks another major step in cooperation between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the ECOWAS Commission and GIABA. It also advances commitments contained in the Headquarters Agreement signed between Côte d’Ivoire and GIABA on March 29, 2014, in Yamoussoukro.
The inauguration ceremony featured the symbolic handover of keys, unveiling of a commemorative plaque, ribbon-cutting, a group photograph and a guided tour of the new facilities.
Among officials attending the ceremony were H.E. Adama Coulibaly, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget of Côte d’Ivoire; Edwin W. Harris Jr., Director General of GIABA; and General Idrissa Touré, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Financial Information Processing Unit (CENTIF) and GIABA National Correspondent.
Representatives of Ivorian government institutions, ECOWAS, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and technical and financial partners involved in combating financial crime were also in attendance.
With the opening of the new premises, GIABA aims to position its Abidjan Information Center as a leading regional hub for research, professional development, cooperation and innovation.
The institution hopes the Center will strengthen the capacity of ECOWAS member states to confront emerging financial threats while contributing to a safer, more transparent and financially secure West Africa.
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