The International Anti-Money Laundering Group in West Africa (GIABA) has launched a media awareness campaign on combating money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT). This nationwide event, held simultaneously in Abuja and Dakar, aims to strengthen partnerships between institutions and the media in the fight against financial crime.

The objective is to improve the quality of media coverage of AML/CFT issues, but also to strengthen the impact of awareness messages among the population regarding the risks associated with these illicit activities.

At the opening of national media awareness activities in Dakar, the representative of the Director General of GIABA, Timothy Melaye, stressed the importance of the role of the media in preventing and combating financial crime, welcoming the commitment of the Senegalese authorities to transparency and good governance.

“Senegal has established itself as a key player in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in West Africa. Its exit from the FATF’s enhanced monitoring process is a strong signal, reflecting profound reforms, concrete results and an unequivocal political will,” he said.

Mr. Melaye indicated that the predominance of the informal sector, the significant circulation of cash, and the increasing sophistication of money laundering mechanisms are all challenges to be met.

He also noted that tax evasion in Africa is estimated at $88 billion, stressing the need to take measures to combat the twenty-one offences related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

According to him, GIABA has made partnership with the media a priority of its action, while structuring a regional network of specialized journalists to strengthen the capacities of information professionals on issues related to AML/CFT.

He also invited media professionals to take ownership of these issues and to actively contribute to building a more transparent and resilient environment.

 

For his part, the representative of the president of CENTIF ( National Financial Information Processing Unit) , Alioune Niokhor Diouf, stressed the importance of mobilizing all public and private actors to fight against these threats.

He called for a strategic partnership between AML/CFT actors and the media to strengthen their role in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, stressing that the media are key players in the fight against financial crime.

"The media inform, explain and warn about the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. They contribute to shaping the collective perception of risks and help to build a culture of vigilance and integrity," he said.

According to Mr. Diouf, institutions combating money laundering and terrorist financing must act, cooperate, and maintain confidentiality to pave the way for media actors capable of supporting national and community awareness efforts. These requirements are complementary and contribute to the credibility of public action and citizens' trust.

He also indicated that Senegal has made significant efforts to strengthen its national system for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.