The Inter Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa will hold an awareness-raising seminar in Lomé, Togo, from 15 to 16 September 2025 for members of the ECOWAS Administrative and Finance Committee on anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing compliance. The main purpose is to deepen the committee’s understanding of GIABA’s mandate, operations and funding needs, while building support for increased financing in the 2026 budget cycle and beyond. GIABA linked the initiative to budget pressure across ECOWAS institutions after crises in 2023 and 2024 reduced revenue sources, led to arrears in Community contributions and cut allocations to institutions including GIABA. It said this had hampered delivery of its activities. The seminar is intended to raise awareness of money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing threats and related compliance obligations across national, regional and international frameworks, and to underline the Administrative and Finance Committee’s role in GIABA’s financial sustainability. Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. is also expected to use the forum to argue for a higher budget to support technical assistance, mutual evaluations, capacity building and stronger national AML/CFT frameworks. GIABA said it expects the meeting to lead to a clearer long-term commitment to its budget allocations, stronger institutional collaboration with the committee on financial planning and monitoring, and broader recognition of the committee’s role in mobilising timely member state contributions and aligning ECOWAS budget priorities with regional security needs.

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