At today’s African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Compliance Forum 2025 in Kigali, I joined distinguished panellists to discuss: “What is AI and how has it evolved? How is AI improving compliance controls: Expectations and reality.”
Our discussion explored how AI is transforming compliance globally – moving from manual, reactive processes to faster, data-driven, and proactive frameworks, while addressing key themes such as risk modelling, AI infrastructure, data ethics, and cross-border regulation.
In our conversation, I reflected on the need for inclusive AI systems that reflect the realities of African SMEs and youth-led enterprises; and on the importance of designing compliance templates that recognise, rather than overlook, our unique context.
Key insights I shared:
💡 SMEs, including women-owned businesses, make up the majority of enterprises in Africa. They must not be left out of the AI transformation, especially when designing compliance frameworks for financial transactions.
📱 Africa’s mobile-first ecosystems (from fintech innovations to mobile money), give the continent a unique advantage in democratising access to finance and driving digital inclusion.
⚖️ True progress in AI-driven compliance requires inclusion. Our frameworks must reflect Africa’s socioeconomic realities, ensuring that regulation and innovation grow hand in hand.
It was an honour to share the stage with Vijay Nagarajan (Director of Marketing Planning, LexisNexis Risk Solutions), Christopher Ghenne, CAMS (Global Lead Banking – Compliance, SAS), Mahmoud MHIRI (Executive Partner, Vneuron), and Usama Fayyad (Senior Vice Provost for AI and Data Strategy, Northeastern University) — moderated by Georgie Ndirangu, whose questions inspired deep reflection.
Grateful to African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) for convening this forward-looking Forum under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade.”
As we move toward the next phase of digital transformation, the challenge is clear: AI in Africa must be ethical, contextual, and inclusive – empowering SMEs as key architects of our continent’s trade future.
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