SecFin Africa – Securing a robust AML/CFT Framework against Illicit Financial Flows in Sub-Saharan Africa

The SECFIN Africa project aims to support Sub-Saharan Africa countries to prevent and combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) linked to transnational organized crime. Through our actions, we contribute to boosting domestic resource mobilisation, fostering sustainable development and promoting security across the African continent. 

We implement activities at three levels:

1. Country-level support: Strengthen anti-money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance and effectiveness by providing tailored, demand-driven technical assistance and training covering the entire process - from detection to conviction, through investigation, prosecution and asset recovery. To do so, we base our action on a multi-agency approach, ensuring alignment with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards.
2. Regional cooperation opportunities: Support the capacities of regional bodies and networks with an AML/CFT mandate, increase cooperation in financial investigations and improve information sharing on AML/CFT issues.
3. Civil Society Engagement: Increase public awareness and support civil society’s role in promoting transparency and accountability through grants for Civil Society Organisations, investigative journalism, whistle-blowers, and research labs focused on tackling illicit financial flows.

The SecFin Africa project supports the Swedish Tax Agency (STA) and the Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI)to deliver the International Capacity Building Program (ICBP), a problem-driven initiative enhancing the capacities of selected countries.

STA and CABRI bring unmatched expertise in tackling complex reform challenges, using the Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach. At the heart of the program is the deployment of professional coaches who engage directly with participating institutions at country level. Over a 12-month period, these coaches work closely with participating administrations to identify and address IFF-related challenges, developing and scaling up innovative, homegrown solutions. Each cycle involves new participants, fostering continuous learning and expanding capacity.

• Launch of intensive support to Benin as part of a national effort to strengthen supervisory and investigative capacities.
• Coordination and dialogue of the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa to improve post-evaluation follow-up and information exchange on asset recovery among member states.
• Inauguration of the Southern Africa Hub office in Pretoria (South Africa).
• Organization of an event in Nairobi under INTERPOL’s Silver Notice. It highlighted the importance of early identification, tracing, and recovery of criminal assets in the fight against financial crime.