The Economic Community of States of West Africa (ECOWAS) opened an awareness-raising seminar on to anti-money laundering compliance, the financing of terrorism and proliferation (LBC/FT/FP). The meetings of two days have been held since Monday, September 15, 2025 at the Hotel 2 February 2025 in Lomé.

Organized by the Intergovernmental Action Group against money laundering in West Africa (GIABA), the seminar of awareness-raising is aimed at members of the Committee on Administration and ECOWAS Finances (CAF). This is a framework that reinforces understanding strategy of the members of the Committee on Administration and Finance (CAF) on the operational mandate, achievements and financial needs of giaba , especially in the context of budgetary constraints that affect, ECOWAS institutions. Also, it is a question of increasing awareness of threats of LBC/FT/FP and compliance obligations in national frameworks, regional and international levels, while emphasizing the essential role of members of CAF in the financial viability of giaba . But also, by generating strong support for the increase of resources at Arial">Giaba in the fiscal cycle of 2026 and beyond. font-family: "Bookman Old Style”, serif; mso-bidi-font-family:arial">According to Essokiza Anakpa, Representative of the Minister of Economy and Finance, one of the challenges What ECOWAS is facing is the fight against crime under all its forms. The threat of money laundering and The financing of terrorism spares no country. These phenomena weaken the economies, compromise financial stability, promote crime organized and damage the reputation of States on the international scene. P The latter, this awareness-raising constitutes a first strategic step plan. “It not only offers a privileged space for exchanges and sharing of experiences, but also the opportunity to reflect together on the compliance with the obligations imposed on our States within the framework of regional and international commitments and, more particularly, as a prelude in the third cycle of mutual evaluations of our national systems of LBCFT what will the Arial">Giaba”.

The conclusions expected on 16 September should confirm the commitment Member States to strengthen the financing of GIABA and to endow ECOWAS stronger tools to deal with transnational financial crimes.