The 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference, held from July 14–17, 2026, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, has successfully convened an international assembly of experts and stakeholders.
The conference aimed to redefine the continent’s approach to financial security and the vital role of civic space.
Keynote Perspectives: Balancing Rights and Regulation
The conference featured pivotal addresses that underscored the necessity of a balanced approach to Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards:
Professor Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism, highlighted that respecting human rights, international humanitarian law is not merely a legal obligation but a strategic imperative that enhances the effectiveness of counter- terrorism efforts.
He advocated for frameworks that exempt impartial humanitarian activities from criminal terrorism laws, thereby safeguarding the fundamental freedoms of civil society actors while addressing security threats.
Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), representing the host nation, reaffirmed the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to strengthen Nigeria’s Anti-Money Laundering/ Counter -Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.
He emphasized the goal of building resilient financial systems that effectively deny resources to terrorist financiers, without imposing undue regulatory burdens that could hinder legitimate non-profit organizations.
Advancing the “Risk-Based” Mandate: A Paradigm Shift
The central theme of the conference, “Implementing FATF Recommendation 8 Correctly: Practices, Lessons Learned, and Opportunities for Reform,” championed a crucial shift from “blanket” rules-based compliance to a more nuanced, risk-based approach.
Risk-Based Implementation: Experts passionately advocated for a transition to risk-based measures.
This approach prioritizes the protection of legitimate organizations by concentrating regulatory efforts exclusively on those genuinely vulnerable to terrorism financing abuse, thereby fostering a more efficient and equitable regulatory environment.
Nigeria as a Model: Following its successful exit from the FATF “grey list” in October 2025, Nigeria was presented as a compelling case study.
The nation demonstrated how robust engagement between Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) and regulators can effectively meet FATF requirements while simultaneously protecting and empowering the civic sector.
Collaborative Governance: The conference, a collaborative effort between Spaces for Change (S4C) and the EFCC’s Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), exemplified the profound impact of structured, ongoing dialogue between government bodies and civil society.
This collaboration which is crucial for building the trust essential for effective compliance and fostering a supportive regulatory ecosystem.
A Continental Shift Towards Smarter Regulation
The 2026 conference unequivocally solidifies a continental shift towards smarter, more targeted regulations.
These initiatives aim to empower, rather than restrict, the indispensable work of civil society in critical areas such as humanitarian aid, education, and development, paving the way for a more secure and thriving Africa.
