NACIWA, ECOWAS & EFCC Conclude Regional Certification Training on Financial Investigation

Zuma Rock Resort, Niger State, Nigeria – The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria, has successfully concluded a five-day Regional Certification Training on Financial Investigation, held from 7th to 11th April 2025.

The training brought together representatives of anti-corruption agencies from across the ECOWAS sub-region, in a bold and proactive initiative to strengthen technical capacity in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting complex financial crimes, including money laundering, illicit financial flows (IFFs), and the criminal use of cryptocurrency and digital platforms.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of collaboration and capacity-building in confronting the growing sophistication of financial crimes in the region. He emphasized ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting institutional development and promoting integrity and transparency as outlined in ECOWAS Vision 2050.

The President of NACIWA and Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, commended the high level of engagement from participating institutions and reiterated the centrality of coordinated financial intelligence, cross-border collaboration, and specialized training in confronting evolving criminal networks. “The battle against corruption is not one that any nation can fight alone. It requires shared knowledge, shared tools, and a shared resolve,” he stated.

Over the five days, participants underwent intensive modules covering:

  • Fundamentals of financial crime and investigation frameworks
  • Financial intelligence, tracing illicit funds, and crypto-analysis
  • Cyber-enabled financial crimes and digital forensics
  • Asset tracing, freezing, confiscation, and international recovery
  • Surveillance, informant use, case file preparation, and prosecution techniques

The training, hosted at Zuma Rock Resort, featured facilitators and experts from the EFCC Academy, Forensics and Cybercrime Units, and leading practitioners from across the region. Through expert-led sessions, practical group exercises, and a concluding study tour of the EFCC Academy, participants were equipped with cutting-edge tools to confront new and emerging threats in financial crime.

The initiative was fully sponsored by the ECOWAS Commission, which continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting good governance, rule of law, and institutional resilience across member states. The training was implemented by NACIWA, which coordinated participation from its 15 national member institutions, as well as representatives from GIABA, ECOWAS staff, and relevant civil society organizations.

Outcomes and Commitments

Participants received regional certification at the end of the programme, and several country representatives committed to cascading the training through internal knowledge-sharing, inter-agency collaboration, and integration of financial intelligence tools into their institutional strategies.

NACIWA, through its Secretariat, reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its training and peer-exchange programmes, in line with its mandate to harmonize anti-corruption efforts and foster cross-border cooperation among West African states.

NACIWA, ECOWAS & EFCC Conclude Regional Certification Training on Financial Investigation

About NACIWA

The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) is a regional platform composed of national anti-corruption agencies from ECOWAS member states. NACIWA promotes coordination, exchange of information, and collaborative strategies in the fight against corruption and related transnational crimes.



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