Anti-money laundering in West Africa

Money laundering is the process of concealing the origin, ownership or destination of illegally or dishonestly obtained money by hiding it within legitimate economic activities to make them appear legal.

When corrupt individuals obtain illicit funds, they look for ways of disguising their illegal origin in order to actually use the proceeds of their crime in lavish life-styles. It is estimated that illicit financial outflows from Africa exceed by far the Oversees Development Assistance (ODA) that Africa receives annually, thus undermining development and poverty reduction efforts by diverting much-needed resources from citizens.

If you are an investigative journalist in need of comments or policy analysis on a money laundering case, you have found the right place!

This AML policy rapid response unit consists of ad hoc teams of experts - both at national and international levels - that can be convened in order to address specific policy questions related to anti-money laundering in the following countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

This is a space reserved to journalists investigating cases of money laundering and in need of policy analysis. Once you submit your question, we will respond within five working days.