Secretariat

The Secretariat of the Forum of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) of the GIABA Member States (FFIU-GMS) also known as the West African Forum of FIUs (WAFFIU), is a vital institution in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa.

Located in Abuja, Nigeria, the Secretariat serves as the administrative hub of the Forum, which comprises FIUs from the 16 member states of GIABA. Its primary objective is to enhance cooperation and information exchange among the member FIUs to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing in the region effectively.

At the helm of the Secretariat is the Executive Secretary, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the institution. The Executive Secretary is supported by a team of professionals who are on special duty posting from other organizations, and bring their wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the work of the Secretariat.

The Secretariat performs several functions, including organizing meetings of the Forum, providing technical assistance and capacity building to member FIUs, facilitating information exchange among FIUs, and forming partnerships with relevant development partners.

The Secretariat also works closely with other regional and international organizations involved in AML/CFT such as GIABA and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This collaboration ensures that the Secretariat remains up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices in the field of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

In conclusion, the Secretariat of the Forum of FIUs of the GIABA member states is a crucial institution in the fight against ML/TF/PF in West Africa. Its location in Abuja, Nigeria, underscores the commitment of the region to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. With a dedicated team of professionals and robust technical infrastructure, the Secretariat continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing technical cooperation and information exchange among member FIUs.