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Unlocking the Fight against Financial Crimes: UNODC Empowers Tanzanian Law Enforcement Agencies to Counter Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing

Arusha, Tanzania – 14 May 2024 – The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently concluded a training workshop for newly recruited law enforcement officers from the United Republic of Tanzania. The workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pervasive nature of money laundering activities in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, which are linked to predicate offenses and serious organized crimes, such as terrorist financing, corruption, and human trafficking, and pose a significant threat to the stability and development of the regions.  The training reinforced the capacity of law enforcement officers in conducting financial investigations to ensure that criminals do not benefit from crime. 

UNODC, through its Global Programme against Money Laundering, synergizes with the Government of Canada to provide bilateral support to member states in Eastern Africa upon request. This support is tailored to augment the capacity of their respective law enforcement agencies to tackle financial crime. In response to the requests from Tanzania's Financial Intelligence Units (FIU), the UNODC organized a week-long training workshop in Arusha, Tanzania.  The workshop's primary objective was to enhance financial investigators' capacity using inter-agency collaboration to effectively combat the proceeds of these illicit acts. The workshop emphasized the importance of utilizing this methodology as a standard and additional tool to address serious and organized crimes, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The training sessions presented a valuable opportunity to identify additional areas where assistance was needed and laid the groundwork for future bilateral or regional law enforcement cooperation and capacity building.

The workshop consisted of officers from selected law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Tanzania, including the Tanzanian Police Force (TPF), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the Anti-Corruption Authorities, the Revenue Authorities, and the Economic Crimes Centre (ECC). By enhancing the capacity of the law enforcement agencies, UNODC's efforts will contribute significantly to the prevention and combating of money laundering and serious organized crimes in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The training was meticulously designed to equip the authorities with comprehensive tools and methodologies for investigating offenses predicated on money laundering, to address the growing threat posed by cash transactions and cross-border cash couriers, and to understand the relevance of financial investigations in modern law enforcement. The sessions equipped them with a range of additional tools and approaches, including the significance of employing critical thinking to investigate and prosecute financial crime.

“We must recognize that the fight against illicit financial flows is an ongoing and complex challenge that requires sustained attention and cooperation from all stakeholders. We must remain vigilant and ensure that illicit financial flows are strategically detected and confiscated, thereby preventing them from being used to finance terrorist activities. The comprehensive training sessions and capacity-building programs have not only equipped us with advanced tools and techniques but have also ignited a deeper commitment to our cause. We are proud to have such valuable allies in our fight against terrorism, and we remain committed to working together to achieve our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure world. We are confident that the continued support and expertise of UNODC will undoubtedly contribute to our collective success in this critical endeavor,” concluded another delegate. 

For more information, please contact: 

Ms. Atuweni-Tupochile Agbermodji (atuweni.agbermodji@un.org)

Adviser, Global Programme Against Money Laundering

UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa