The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) will host a three-day regional training for journalists on investigating economic and financial crimes in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, from September 22 to 24, 2025.
The announcement was contained in a press release signed by Timothy Melaye, Acting Principal Officer, Communication and Advocacy, GIABA.
According to the statement, the programme will bring together 40 journalists from ECOWAS member states. Participants will be drawn from print, electronic, and online media organisations. The focus will be on building the capacity of journalists in investigative reporting.
Strengthening Media Role in AML/CFT
GIABA explained that the training will help the organization forge stronger ties with the media for effective dissemination of information on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), while also providing journalists with practical opportunities to learn techniques in information gathering and investigation.
“The training aims to encourage media organisations to promote a culture of investigating money laundering and terrorist financing practices. It will also strengthen the existing regional network of journalists working to expose economic and financial crimes,” the statement reads.
Building on Past Efforts
GIABA also noted that the media plays an essential role in promoting good governance, ensuring proper use of state resources, protecting citizens’ rights, and exposing corruption.
“GIABA recognises the critical roles of journalists in the information chain on money laundering and terrorist financing.
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“As the people bearing responsibility for the content of news, editors decide whether to give a story on money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF) prominence or to relegate it,” the statement reads.
The release recalled that GIABA had previously organised similar training and media-focused programmes. One of the outcomes was the creation of a regional network of journalists in 2010 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The upcoming workshop will be delivered by experts and practitioners using plenary presentations, case studies, group exercises, role plays, and experience sharing.
Brief History of GIABA
The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) was established in 2000 by ECOWAS Heads of State to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the region.
Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, GIABA became an associate member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2006 and works with global partners like the UN, IMF, and World Bank.
GIABA supports member states in adopting and implementing AML (Anti-Money Laundering) / CFT (Counter Financing of Terrorism) laws and standards. It also carries out mutual evaluations, offers training, conducts typology studies (research on patterns and methods of ML/TF), and engages in awareness and capacity-building programmes
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
