News Release: Financial Intelligence Unit of Senegal Hosts Nearly Three Hundred Egmont Group Representatives from Around the Globe
January 30, 2023
DAKAR, Senegal – The National Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CENTIF) will graciously host nearly 300 Egmont Group (EG) representatives, international partners, and observers in Dakar for the 2023 Working Group and Regional Group Meeting, the first in-person event of its kind since 2019.
“The Financial Intelligence Unit of Senegal is honoured to host the 2023 EG Working and Regional Group Meeting in Dakar to enhance EG member capabilities and improve information and expertise sharing among them,” exclaims Ramatoulaye Gadio Agne, Head of the National Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CENTIF). “We’re also excited to showcase the richness of Senegalese culture, including one of its most valued components – hospitality!”
FIUs annually receive thousands of suspicious transaction reports with links to other countries. Therefore, international partner collaboration is crucial and the reason why, in 1995, facilitating and promoting information exchanges among FIUs formed the framework for today’s widely recognized and highly respected international organization, the EG, consisting of 166 members today and counting.
As a global organization, the EG both facilitates and prompts the exchange of information, knowledge and cooperation amongst member FIUs and provides FIUs with a secure platform to exchange expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing (ML/TF), and associated predicate offences.
“In 2004, the Government of Senegal mobilized the creation of the National Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CENTIF), our national FIU, to prevent and detect ML/TF with the goal of eradicating it and promote international cooperation to support this fight,” informs Ms. Gadio Agne. “In 2009, we joined countries worldwide as members of the EG who share our goals in this mutual fight.”
The country of Senegal, known as the “Gateway to Africa,” is located at the westernmost point of the continent and its rich natural heritage and emphasis on hospitality are sure to contribute to the success of the 2023 EG Working and Regional Group Meetings and also serve as a positive “Gateway” to accomplishing our mission of development, cooperation, and sharing of expertise.
