A leading civil society organisation, Spaces for Change (S4C), has announced plans to convene the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference in Abuja this July.
In a statement issued on April 29, 2026, the Executive Director of S4C, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said the organisation is partnering with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside local and international partners, to host the four-day event.
According to Ibezim-Ohaeri, the conference will be held from July 14 to 17, 2026, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory under the theme, “Implementing FATF Recommendation 8 Correctly: Practices, Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Reform.”
She noted that the annual conference, now in its third year, reflects the growing recognition of civil society as a key partner in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
“This year’s edition will bring together over 200 participants from around the world, including representatives from African governments, FATF-style regional bodies, non-profit organisations, law enforcement agencies, financial intelligence units, financial institutions, diplomatic missions, indigenous groups, academia, and international organisations,” she said.
Ibezim-Ohaeri explained that discussions at the conference would focus on developing locally grounded and context-sensitive solutions to financial crimes across Africa, while ensuring that AML/CFT measures do not restrict civic space or negatively affect communities.
She added that previous editions of the conference, held in Kampala, Uganda, and Gaborone, Botswana, provided platforms for assessing progress and challenges in implementing FATF Recommendation 8 across the continent.
“The conference has critically examined national AML/CFT frameworks, advanced calls for tailored risk-mitigation approaches, and advocated for rights-based implementation that does not stifle humanitarian efforts,” she stated.
The S4C director further disclosed that the 2026 edition will feature a mix of specialised masterclasses, keynote speeches, panel discussions, and in-depth engagements aimed at unpacking FATF recommendations and identifying practical reform pathways.
“As Africa continues to navigate the intersection of financial security and civic freedoms, this conference offers a timely opportunity to strengthen collaboration, deepen mutual understanding, and chart a more balanced and effective course for AML/CFT implementation,” Ibezim-Ohaeri said. #Securitynewsalert.com
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