Since the revision of the 40 Recommendations in 2003, African countries have continued to face significant challenges in aligning compliance obligations with local realities. Despite technical improvements, many jurisdictions still struggle to demonstrate effectiveness in addressing money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing risks, leaving them vulnerable to grey-listing – a designation that can trigger capital flight, raise the cost of doing business, and undermine economic growth.

As FATF standards evolve to address new threats – including virtual assets, proliferation financing, and environmental crimes – there is an urgent need to reflect on how these frameworks have served the goals of enforcing financial integrity, while enabling financial inclusion and prospects going forward.

To this end, Cenfri, in partnership with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and La Trobe University, is hosting AML | CFT 20: Reflections on 20+ years of AML-CFT implementation.  

This strategic forum will bring together supervisors, financial institutions, academics, and development partners to assess the last 20+ years of AML-CFT implementation, unpack the implications of recent changes to the FATF recommendations, and explore how emerging technologies and AI may transform the future of financial integrity and financial inclusion in Africa and the Global South.

Event details 

• Date: 22-23 July 2025 

• Venue: UWC School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Rd, Bellville, Cape Town
• Attendance : It is a hybrid event with physical attendance by invitation only and virtual participation

Conference objectives 

Participants at the conference will have an opportunity to:

• Unpack AML-CFT progress and challenges in Africa and the Global South over the past 20 years, particularly in relation to risk understanding and financial inclusion.
• Examine the implications of recent changes to the FATF recommendations – focusing on risk concepts, lower risks, and simplified due diligence within the context of the Global South. This will include implications for financial institutions, remittance service providers, supervisory authorities, non profits, women and rural communities.
• Explore potential actions and collaboration opportunities among stakeholders to address current and emerging AML-CFT challenges, enhance financial inclusion and remittance access and improve the effectiveness of AML-CFT measures.

The Seminar presentations and discussions will be consolidated into a book to further inform understanding and action