Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving from concept to cornerstone in Africa’s trade and financial systems, transforming compliance into a growth driver for the continent’s $1.1 trillion intra-African market. That shift will be in focus at the 2025 Afreximbank Compliance Forum (ACF2025), scheduled for November 12–14 in Kigali, Rwanda.
Jointly organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), the Forum will gather central bankers, regulators, lenders, fintechs, compliance specialists, and global trade partners to examine how AI can reinforce financial integrity while unlocking investment and cross-border trade.
Held under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade: Embracing AI to Promote and Secure Trade Through a Modern AML/CFT Compliance Framework”, the discussions will center on AI’s ability to accelerate risk assessments, strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, and provide real-time oversight of cross-border transactions.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not the future of compliance, it is already shaping the present. Once considered a regulatory cost it is now recognised as a strategic driver of trade and economic growth,” said Dr. George Elombi, Executive Vice-President, Governance, Legal and Corporate Services and Incoming President, Afreximbank.
“Robust compliance frameworks help ensure legal and regulatory alignment and reassure trade partners of integrity in business. This creates fairer competition, improves access to finance, and strengthens Africa’s integration into the global economy. Our partnership with the National Bank of Rwanda for ACF2025 reflects a shared commitment to advancing innovation in compliance, safeguarding financial integrity, and promoting the sustainable growth of African trade.”
For Rwanda, hosting the forum reinforces its positioning as a trusted financial hub. “At the National Bank of Rwanda, we consider compliance as the cornerstone of financial stability, trust, and sustainable growth. By aligning with international best practices and leveraging innovations such as artificial intelligence, we are reinforcing the integrity of our market, deepening investor confidence, and strengthening Rwanda’s standing as a trusted partner in global trade,” said Hon. Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye, Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda.
“Hosting the Afreximbank Compliance Forum 2025 in Kigali is a testament to Rwanda’s leadership and Africa’s collective commitment to harnessing technology, safeguarding our financial systems, and unlocking the continent’s vast trade potential. Our collaboration with Afreximbank reflects a shared vision to advance modern compliance standards that not only meet global benchmarks but also address Africa’s unique trade realities.”
Compliance as a Trade Imperative
The forum will also feature insights from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on digital transformation, lessons from African economies exiting the FATF grey list, and strategies for combating trade-based money laundering. Delegates will also review best practices in correspondent banking and case studies on AI-enabled customer onboarding and transaction monitoring.
Last year’s forum in Dakar, Senegal, drew representatives from 36 countries and more than doubled attendance from the previous year, underlining how compliance has become a strategic priority for African economies looking to expand exports and attract capital.
Securing Africa’s Trade Growth
Afreximbank has already invested in AI-powered compliance tools, including platforms for real-time risk monitoring and secure transaction processing, designed to lower the cost of cross-border payments and boost confidence in African markets.
Organisers say ACF2025 will reinforce Africa’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) while strengthening its ties to global trade networks.
Registration for the Kigali forum is available at acf2025.com.
