Many African SMEs aren’t burdened by outdated legacy systems — and that’s a competitive advantage. In this blog, we explore how the lack of complex infrastructure enables faster, easier adoption of digital AML and KYC tools. From mobile-first operations to cloud-based compliance, African businesses are uniquely positioned to leap ahead. Discover how ANQA COMPLIANCE supports this momentum by offering simple, secure solutions designed for fast-moving markets.

In 2025, 96% of Indian financial executives expect financial crime risks to increase.

But only 36% believe their current compliance programs are strong enough to keep up.

This mismatch isn’t just alarming — it’s dangerous.

Merchantrade and JAGS Money aren’t fringe players. They’re respected licensed, digital-first providers helping communities move money across borders.

And yet — a few procedural gaps led to public fines.

In this space, “we meant to” isn’t enough.

📍Stay sharp. Stay updated.

In 2023, Zamira Hajiyeva was jailed in the UK — not for theft, but for unexplained wealth.

Her downfall? She couldn’t show how her lavish lifestyle matched her income.

It was the first major test of the UK’s Unexplained Wealth Orders — and a wake-up call for compliance teams worldwide.

In many parts of Africa and Asia, these stories don’t make headlines — but they do leave financial institutions exposed.

The invisible thread that unraveled 6,221 NGOs in South Africa? Simply failing to submit annual financial reports.

What might seem like mere paperwork became an existential issue when these organizations couldn't document where their money came from and went. The deregistrations weren't about uncovering fraud—they were about the absence of basic financial transparency.

Regulators aren’t just issuing fines—they’re actively investigating, prosecuting, and even forfeiting assets. Malaysia’s enforcement actions in 2024 included:

• Hundreds of supervisory and enforcement interventions

• Convictions of unlicensed money services operators

• Seizure of tens of millions in illicit assets

While these measures target known violations, they also shine a light on hidden vulnerabilities in the financial system—especially among smaller players like remittance firms, cooperative banks, and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs).

Regulators across the region are stepping up enforcement, and smaller Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) are under more pressure than ever to register and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) laws.

Put simply: registration isn’t optional — and skipping it could cost you.

Let’s be honest—regulatory language can be a lot.

Whether you’re an intern learning the ropes, a student stepping into your first compliance course, or just someone trying to make sense of all the acronyms in a meeting, the world of FATF, TBML, CFT, KYT, DNFBPs (…see?) can feel like another language.

“Hey, we’ve got your back.”

In April 2025, a lot of dreams were shattered. CBEX (Crypto Bridge Exchange), a digital trading platform that promised quick returns and easy crypto access, suddenly collapsed — leaving thousands of Nigerians worried about their hard-earned savings.

It’s a painful story, but unfortunately an increasingly common one. It’s also an important reminder: trust — real trust — is the foundation of any financial future, especially in fast-growing spaces like crypto.

“The Gatekeepers of Trust”

In Kenya—and across East Africa—lawyers, notaries, and real estate professionals are on the front lines of financial compliance. But are they equipped for the role?

In a world where crypto criminals move billions across blockchains, you might imagine a complex web of untraceable transactions. But here’s the twist: just a handful of deposit addresses handle the lion’s share of illicit crypto funds.

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea.