GIABA MOBILISES RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN TOGO AGAINST MONEY LAUNDERING AND TERRORIST FINANCING
West Africa is facing a resurgence of cybercrime, drug and human trafficking, corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing (ML/TF). These threats, which transcend national borders, undermine the peace, stability and sustainable development of ECOWAS member states.
The Sahel region is particularly affected: according to the 2025 edition of the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, it accounted for 51% of terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2024, compared to 48% in 2023, and 19% of all terrorist attacks worldwide.
In this context, the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) is organising a national seminar to raise awareness among religious leaders on AML/CFT on the theme: "The role of religious leaders in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing". This initiative is part of GIABA's 2023-2027 strategic plan, which emphasises the importance of including community and religious actors in the fight against organised crime and violent extremism, and contributes to ECOWAS' Vision 2050 for a peaceful, resilient and prosperous West Africa.
The seminar will bring together religious and traditional leaders, representatives of CENTIF-Togo, GIABA experts and national and regional partners. Through presentations, case studies and interactive workshops, participants will be invited to: understand the mechanisms and challenges of ML/TF; identify prevention and awareness-raising strategies tailored to their communities; promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance; and actively contribute to the fight against financial and economic crime.
The aim is to strengthen religious leaders' understanding of AML/CFT, encourage cooperation with the authorities to detect radicalisation, develop a religious discourse promoting peace and social cohesion, and support the mobilisation of religious institutions for national cohesion.
Although relatively spared from large-scale attacks so far, Togo faces a growing threat of violent extremism along its northern border with Burkina Faso. Since 2021, several security incidents have been reported in the Savannah region, prompting the authorities to strengthen prevention, surveillance and community awareness. CENTIF-Togo assessments have also identified vulnerabilities related to corruption, fraud, smuggling, drug trafficking and financial crime, the proceeds of which can finance criminal or terrorist networks.
In response, the Togolese government has implemented the National Strategy to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (2022–2026) and is actively participating in the Accra Initiative- , which brings together six countries in the sub-region to secure borders and share intelligence. In this preventive approach, the role of religious and traditional leaders is recognised as strategic in maintaining social cohesion, promoting dialogue and preventing radicalisation.
At the end of the seminar, a national roadmap will be adopted to strengthen social mobilisation, community awareness and advocacy against criminal activities and religious intolerance. GIABA reaffirms its commitment to working closely with religious leaders, national authorities and regional partners for a safer, more united and resilient Togo and West Africa in the face of the threats of ML/TF and violent extremism.
Timothy MELAYE
Ag. PPO - Communications and Advocacy