Kenyan Delegation Visits the NBA AMLC to Learn from Nigeria’s Model of Legal Sector AML/CFT Oversight.
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen legal sector regulation and anti-money laundering frameworks across Africa, a high-level Kenyan delegation undertook a study visit to the Nigerian Bar Association Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NBA AMLC) on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the NBA National Secretariat, Abuja.
The visit, held at the NBA House, was to enable the Kenyan team to understudy the NBA’s regulatory role as a self-regulatory body (SRB) within Nigeria’s legal framework — particularly its oversight functions in implementing Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) and preventing terrorism and proliferation financing. The delegation sought to understand how the Nigerian Bar Association has developed and implemented mechanisms to combat money laundering, enforce targeted financial sanctions, and supervise Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), while engaging directly with key national stakeholders such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
Highlights of the Engagement
Welcoming the delegation, Mrs. Zainab Aminu Garba, the NBA’s 3rd Vice President, commended the Kenyan team for their interest in the Nigerian model and encouraged deeper dialogue on strengthening professional ethics and compliance across the continent.
Mr. James Manyonge of Kenya’s Financial Reporting Centre expressed appreciation to the NBA leadership and explained that Kenya’s visit aimed to learn from Nigeria’s progress in combating money laundering and enhancing AML/CFT compliance within the legal profession.
Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN, provided insights into the formation and legal foundation of the NBA AMLC, explaining how its mandate evolved from the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) and Nigeria’s legislative reforms in the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He also noted that the NBA AMLC operates a functional compliance portal for Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and lawyer education, while emphasizing the importance of continuous capacity building and awareness among practitioners.
The discussions further covered practical issues of law firm supervision, funding models, regulatory partnerships, and lawyer education, with emphasis on the committee’s collaboration with agencies such as the NFIU, EFCC, FCDO, and GIZ. Both sides agreed on the value of cross-country learning and peer engagement, highlighting the shared goal of creating “African solutions to African regulatory challenges.”
The session concluded with a tour of the NBA AMLC Secretariat and a commitment to sustained collaboration among the NBA AMLC, NFIU, and Kenyan institutions.
Key Outcomes and Next Steps
- Strengthened peer-to-peer learning and cooperation between the NBA AMLC and the Kenyan Financial Reporting Centre.
- Agreement on continuous information sharing and joint capacity building for AML/CFT supervision in the legal sector.
- Commitment to exploring regional frameworks for supporting legal self-regulatory bodies across Africa.
A Continental Acknowledgment
The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development commends the NBA-AMLC for its remarkable leadership in strengthening anti-money laundering and compliance frameworks within Nigeria’s legal profession. The visit by the Kenyan delegation emphasizes the growing recognition of the NBA AMLC’s achievements — a model of collaboration and innovation that is inspiring other African countries. The African Center is proud to note that the work of the NBA AMLC, in partnership with the Center, has positioned Nigeria as a learning hub in the continent’s AML/CFT and asset recovery landscape.
Indeed, African countries are now coming to learn from the NBA AMLC, a testament to Nigeria’s leadership in advancing legal integrity, compliance, and the fight against illicit financial flows.
