By Dominic Hlordzi
The Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), the specialised anti-money laundering institution of ECOWAS, will host a two-day programme in Dakar, Senegal, from July 6 to 7, 2026, to highlight its achievements in combating money laundering and terrorist financing across the region.
The event will bring together ECOWAS ambassadors, diplomats accredited to Senegal, technical and financial partners, national stakeholders, civil society organisations, and journalists from across West Africa.
The programme opens on Monday, July 6, with GIABA’s annual briefing for ECOWAS ambassadors and technical and financial partners, during which the institution will present its 2025 Annual Report. The day’s activities will conclude with an international press conference involving journalists from the 12 ECOWAS member states and the three Alliance des États du Sahel (AES) countries.
On Tuesday, July 7, more than 40 journalists will participate in a specialised training programme on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). The training will focus on the media’s role in public awareness and prevention, vulnerabilities arising from corruption and tax fraud, and the importance of beneficial ownership transparency in strengthening financial integrity.
According to GIABA, the two-day programme is designed to strengthen collaboration among governments, diplomats, development partners, and the media in tackling the growing threats of money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa. It will also provide participants with updates on emerging global trends and developments in the fight against financial crime.
The institution believes the training will better equip journalists to report accurately on AML/CFT issues, raise public awareness of emerging financial crime risks, and promote transparency, accountability, and good governance across the region.
GIABA says the initiative reflects the shared commitment of the institution and ECOWAS to safeguarding the integrity of regional financial systems while promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.
The annual engagements form part of GIABA’s strategic communications and stakeholder engagement agenda and build on similar outreach programmes held in previous years in Dakar.
Participants will include representatives of line ministries, national institutions, diplomatic missions, technical and financial partners, civil society organisations, and media executives from ECOWAS member states and the AES countries.
GIABA has also encouraged the public to access and read its 2025 Annual Report, which is available on the institution’s website.
