3rd AFRICA HIGHLEVEL CIVIL SOCIETY AML/CFT CONFERENCE 2026 ORGANISED BY SPACES FOR CHANGE (S4C).DAY2

Day Two of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) Conference deepened the conversation on the future of FATF Recommendation 8 implementation across Africa, as delegates continued to explore practical solutions for balancing financial security with the protection of civic space. Convened by Spaces for Change (S4C) in partnership with the Civic Advisory Hub (CAH), the conference brought together regulators, civil society leaders, compliance professionals, policymakers, and development experts from across the continent to share experiences and identify pathways for reform. The day’s discussions focused on positive practices in the implementation of FATF Recommendation 8, with participants from Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Nigeria, and other African countries presenting lessons from their national experiences. Panelists highlighted the importance of collaboration between governments and civil society, risk based approaches to regulation, and the need to avoid policies that could unintentionally hinder the work of legitimate non profit organisations. A major highlight of Day Two was the conversation on women’s participation in the AML/CFT sector. Speakers emphasized the need for greater female representation in leadership and decision making roles, noting that women bring valuable perspectives, innovative thinking, and inclusive approaches that strengthen efforts to combat financial crimes and improve governance outcomes. Throughout the day, experts examined emerging challenges, opportunities for reform, and strategies for building stronger partnerships between regulators and civil society organisations. The discussions reinforced a common message: effective anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing frameworks are best achieved through dialogue, trust, transparency, and shared responsibility.