The training comes at a critical time, as Seychelles prepares for the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) third-round mutual evaluation. The effectiveness of national mechanisms in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting financial crimes, particularly the performance of the Financial Crime Investigation Unit (FCIU)—will be central to the assessment.

Over the four days training, participants have to focus on key areas including financial intelligence gathering, executing investigations, tracing illicit assets, and understanding how emerging technologies impact financial crime.

The opening ceremony was addressed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Francis Songoire. Attendees included AFRIPOL and INTERPOL representatives and experts as well as officers of the Seychelles Police Force, the Attorney General’s Office and others. AFRIPOL expressed appreciation for Seychelles’ commitment and reaffirmed its support in advancing national and regional efforts to safeguard financial systems and uphold the rule of law.