Financial Crime World

Niger Boosts Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Niamey, Niger - In a significant move to combat corruption and terrorist financing, Niger has stepped up its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) efforts.

Enhancing Corruption Control

Niger’s national authorities are playing an active role in ensuring the effective control of corruption and related offenses. The Haute Autorité de Lutte contre la Corruption et les Infractions Assimilées (HALCIA), established by Niger, has led to several high-profile individuals being interrogated and detained for allegedly smuggling goods.

  • The Justice Ministry has set up a hotline for citizens to report cases of corruption.
  • Eight complaints have been lodged with Parliament to lift the parliamentary immunity of MPs facing corruption charges.

Counter-Terrorism Financing Efforts

Niger has established a central service at the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, and a terrorism prevention and counter-terrorism financing unit within the judicial system.

  • A terrorism prevention and counter-terrorism financing unit has been created within the judicial system.
  • The country has revived the National Counter Terrorism Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was initially set up in 2010. The committee’s structure has been modified to cover the FIU and BCEAO, making it an exchange forum on the operational aspects of counter-terrorism.

Financial Intelligence Unit Enhancements

Niger’s CFT law is now compliant with the WAEMU Community law, and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) enjoys better working conditions, with more resources, improved premises, and equipment. The rules and regulations of the FIU have been revised to strengthen its structure.

  • The FIU has received technical assistance from GIABA, which sponsored a financial analyst to process Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs).
  • In 2012, the FIU received seven STRs, of which five were processed and referred to the Public Prosecutor. The FIU conducted four administrative seizures to investigate cases of money laundering and/or terrorist financing.

International Cooperation

Niger has strengthened its cooperation with other FIUs, signing agreements with Ghana’s FIC and Gabon FIU in 2012. The country has also embarked on study tours to foreign FIUs, including TRACFIN (France), CTIF (Belgium), Senegal FIU, Côte d’Ivoire FIU, and Ghana’s FIC.

  • The Justice Minister officially inaugurated the AML/CFT National Coordination Committee in April 2012, which has since organized workshops for its members to train them on the AML/CFT national strategy.
  • The committee approved Niger’s AML/CFT Country Strategy Paper, which is now being adopted by public authorities.

Future Plans

To further enhance its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism efforts, Niger has received technical assistance from GIABA, including a financial analyst and study tours for newly appointed FIU members to Belgium.

Despite facing significant challenges in combating organized crime, with porous borders facilitating the transfer of weapons and illicit substances, Niger is poised to make significant strides in addressing these issues and meeting its obligations under international standards. With sustained momentum and international cooperation, Niger is well on its way to strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism efforts.