Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) across West Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, pledging deeper collaboration, and intelligence-sharing to safeguard the region’s financial systems from criminal exploitation.
The renewed commitment was made at the 28th Meeting of the Forum of FIUs of Member States of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The meeting, which took place on the margins of the 45th GIABA Technical Commission and Plenary Meetings, brought together heads of Financial Intelligence Units from across the region to review progress, strengthen cooperation and enhance regional coordination in the fight against financial crimes.
Participants underscored the growing importance of collective action in tackling emerging threats posed by money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities that undermine economic stability and security.
In his remarks, the outgoing President of the Forum, Mr. Idrissa Mahamar Haidara, highlighted significant achievements recorded during his tenure, including improved regional collaboration, increased visibility of national Financial Intelligence Units and notable progress by member states in addressing strategic Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies.
He also commended countries that successfully exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) process, describing the development as a major milestone in strengthening compliance and financial integrity across the region.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director-General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Mr. Edwin W. Harris Jr. praised the growing operational effectiveness of Financial Intelligence Units in West Africa.
He emphasized the importance of membership in the Egmont Group, noting that it remains a vital platform for enhancing intelligence-sharing, strengthening international cooperation, and improving the effectiveness of financial crime investigations.
According to Harris, three FIUs from GIABA member states joined the Egmont Group between 2024 and 2025, reflecting the increasing capacity and global recognition of financial intelligence agencies within the region.
He urged other member states to sustain the momentum by strengthening institutional frameworks and enhancing operational capabilities to meet evolving global standards.
A major highlight of the meeting was the election of the Republic of Niger as the new President of the Forum of FIUs.
Accepting the mandate, the new President pledged to deepen inter-FIU cooperation, enhance information-sharing mechanisms, and promote a stronger regional response to emerging financial crime threats.
He stressed the need for closer collaboration among member states to effectively counter increasingly sophisticated money laundering schemes, terrorist financing networks, and proliferation financing activities.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by member states to strengthen West Africa’s AML/CFT framework through enhanced cooperation, intelligence-sharing, institutional capacity building, and sustained political support.
Stakeholders at the meeting noted that stronger collaboration among Financial Intelligence Units remains essential for protecting the integrity of the region’s financial systems, promoting transparency, and supporting sustainable economic growth and security across West Africa.
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