The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) has inaugurated its new Information Centre in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, as part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against financial crimes.
The inauguration and official handover of the facility took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, under the leadership of Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget, Adama Coulibaly.
The ceremony was attended by GIABA Director-General Edwin W. Harris Jr., the President of Côte d’Ivoire’s Financial Intelligence Processing Unit, General Idrissa Touré, representatives of ECOWAS, diplomatic missions, international organisations and other stakeholders.
The new facility is expected to serve as a regional hub for training, research, knowledge sharing, documentation and cooperation, particularly for Francophone and Lusophone ECOWAS member states.
Minister Coulibaly said the modern and fully equipped centre demonstrates Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to supporting GIABA’s efforts against financial crime. He also called for stronger training, information sharing and regional cooperation to address increasingly complex financial threats.
GIABA Director-General Edwin Harris described the facility as a strategic investment and urged government institutions, financial organisations, universities, researchers, the media and civil society groups to make full use of the centre.
The facility also includes a Computer-Based Training centre designed to build the capacity of relevant authorities, financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, magistrates, academics and other stakeholders.
GIABA said the centre will also support the development of a virtual library containing reports, publications and other research materials on money laundering, terrorism financing and financial crimes.
The inauguration featured the symbolic handover of keys, unveiling of the plaque, ribbon-cutting and a guided tour of the facilities.
GIABA said it intends to develop the Abidjan centre into a regional centre of excellence that will contribute to stronger financial integrity, security and prosperity across West Africa.