# Anti-money laundering in West Africa URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/anti-money-laundering-aml-in-west-africa Type: Project Published: 2020-01-16 Updated: 2023-08-15 --- Anti-money laundering in West Africa This project is now complete This project was completed in 2019. For more information please contact *Externally hosted content may include ads. These aren't endorsed by or reflect Transparency International's views.* **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. ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING TRACKER [Open](/en/projects/anti-money-laundering-aml-in-west-africa/data) *Externally hosted content may include ads. These aren't endorsed by or reflect Transparency International's views.* *Externally hosted content may include ads. These aren't endorsed by or reflect Transparency International's views.* *Externally hosted content may include ads. These aren't endorsed by or reflect Transparency International's views.* ## Policy rapid response unit for investigative journalists 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. ## Funded by ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/europe-icon-75_200_133_s_c1.png) The European Union ## Priorities - [Dirty money](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/dirty-money) ## Countries - [Côte d’Ivoire](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/c%C3%B4te-divoire) - [Guinea](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/guinea) - [Liberia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/liberia) - [Nigeria](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/nigeria) - [Senegal](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/senegal) - [Sierra Leone](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/sierra-leone)