There is a palpable sense of urgency. Barely two weeks ago, an FBI team landed in Abidjan to investigate suspected Hezbollah financing—colossal sums transiting through Lebanese business networks that, unfortunately, sometimes plague our regional economy. Faced with this growing threat of terrorist financing, money laundering, and corruption, the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI) and I could not stand idle. It was in this crucial context that I had the honour of leading a pivotal training course on the 2nd and 3rd of June 2025, in Cocody, for 52 distinguished members of the Federation of Evangelical Churches of Côte d’Ivoire (FECI).

This initiative is no accident. It is a direct and resolute response to the scourges that erode the very foundations of our African states and societies. At the ACCI, we position ourselves not merely as keen observers, but as central players in the silent war being fought on the financial front.

Arming Faith Against Illicit Finance: Due Diligence for All

The intensive, certified training session, organised with FEDEV’s usual efficiency, was designed to leave no stone unturned. Over these two days, I had the privilege of guiding the FECI participants through the intricacies of due diligence. We covered precise definitions, explored the complex typology of risks, identified critical areas for monitoring, and, most importantly, learned how to produce a rigorous final due diligence report. Far from being a mere academic formality, this training is, in my view, an essential transfer of practical, critical tools to detect and counter the illicit financial flows that fuel terrorist groups and organised crime.

I should note that this is the third session of its kind that we have conducted with FECI since November 2024, a testament to a strategic collaboration and perseverance in our commitment. These training courses have a clear objective: to transform religious leaders and executives into vigilant sentinels and key agents of change. Their role is now expanding beyond the spiritual sphere to fully embrace the political, economic, and global governance challenges of the Ivorian state. I firmly believe that evangelical churches, through their extensive social fabric and moral influence, constitute an essential link in the chain of national defence against subversion and financial predation.

The ACCI: Facing Africa’s Urgent Competitive Intelligence Needs

Our expertise at the ACCI in this domain is well-established; our track record speaks for itself. We have previously had the opportunity to strengthen the capabilities of teams from the Presidency of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire itself, during due diligence training sessions held in Ouagadougou and Abidjan. This ability to train the highest echelons of the state, combined with the empowerment of civil society actors like FECI, gives the ACCI a unique and, I dare say, critical position in the fight against terrorist financing and money laundering in West Africa.

By equipping FECI with the tools of due diligence, the ACCI and I are not just training; we are initiating a genuine movement. A movement where civil society, enlightened and equipped, takes its rightful place alongside state institutions to confront threats that, if not contained in time, can plunge entire nations into chaos.

Discover all my training courses at https://les-dirigeants.com

GG