On Monday, October 03, 2022, a national workshop to validate Togo's report on the assessment of money laundering, terrorist financing, illicit financial flows and maritime crime In the country, started in Lomé, bringing together several representatives.

The workshop was organized by the GIABA secretariat in collaboration with the European Union (EU) SWAIMS project technical assistance team. This two-day workshop brought together about 40 representatives of private and public institutions and agencies involved in maritime security issues, financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, and representatives of concerned ministries. Es.

During this workshop, a report was submitted for validation. This report was prepared by the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), targeting these themes of money laundering and terrorist financing, linked to maritime crime.

According to the president of the National Financial Information Processing Unit and GIABA national correspondent, Tchaa Aquiteme, “As noted in the study whose report is submitted to your assessment, Togo, like most countries in the Gulf of Guinea, is a country of departure, transit and destination for various illicit trafficking perpetrated at sea. The extent of maritime crime is real in Togo, as shown by the statistics of the competent services and the criminal investigation and prosecution authorities, and is a source of concern for the national authorities. Offences committed in waters under Togolese jurisdiction include piracy or maritime robbery, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances at sea, as well as the smuggling of petroleum products, trafficking in counterfeit products and trafficking in protected wildlife. These offences are potential sources of money laundering and terrorist financing for the country.”