Introduction

The global financial landscape is in constant flux, with digital transformation and innovation introducing new vulnerabilities alongside unprecedented opportunities. For central banks and financial regulators, the fight against fraud and financial crime has become a race against time, requiring a proactive and technologically-advanced approach. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip supervisory authorities with the strategic foresight and practical tools necessary to not only respond to but anticipate and prevent illicit financial activities, safeguarding the integrity of the entire banking ecosystem.

This intensive course explores into the core principles of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) while placing a strong emphasis on leveraging technology for effective supervision. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to implement AI-driven surveillance, forensic data analytics, and automated compliance checks. The curriculum moves beyond theory, focusing on real-world applications and a final capstone project to ensure that regulators are prepared to lead their institutions in the next era of financial oversight and security.

Duration

10 days

Target Audience

• Central bank supervisors and examiners
• Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) analysts
• Bank supervision department staff
• Financial crime compliance officers
• Officials from regulatory bodies
• Data scientists in the financial sector
• Legal and enforcement personnel
• Cybersecurity and risk management specialists
• Policy makers in the financial sector
• Internal audit and control staff

Objectives

• Master advanced techniques for detecting and preventing financial fraud.
• Understand the latest typologies of money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Implement technology-driven solutions for enhanced supervision.
• Develop a comprehensive risk-based approach to financial oversight.
• Strengthen legal and enforcement capabilities against financial crime.
• Analyze and respond to emerging threats in digital and crypto finance.
• Foster a culture of compliance and ethical conduct.
• Improve data analytics skills for regulatory surveillance.
• Prepare for and mitigate systemic financial risks.
• Enhance international collaboration for cross-border crime.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Evolving Landscape of Financial Crime

• New typologies of fraud and their impact on central banking.
• The intersection of technology, finance, and criminal activity.
• Analysis of major global financial crime scandals.
• Understanding the role of social engineering and cyber threats.
• The vulnerabilities in cross-border and digital transactions.

Module 2: The Regulatory Framework for Financial Integrity

• The role of FATF recommendations and global standards.
• Building a robust national AML/CFT framework.
• Designing effective sanctions and counter-proliferation financing policies.
• The legal basis for central bank supervisory powers.
• The importance of institutional independence and integrity.

Module 3: Risk-Based Supervision

• Principles of a risk-based supervisory approach.
• Identifying and assessing institutional risks.
• Tailoring supervisory interventions to risk profiles.
• The use of offsite surveillance and onsite examinations.
• Allocating resources effectively for maximum impact.

Module 4: Advanced AML & CFT Compliance

• Implementing Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for high-risk entities.
• Automated transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting.
• Understanding beneficial ownership and corporate transparency.
• The challenge of supervising Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs).
• Building a culture of proactive compliance.

Module 5: RegTech and SupTech in Central Banking

• An overview of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions.
• The application of Supervisory Technology (SupTech) tools.
• How data visualization enhances regulatory analysis.
• The use of cloud computing for data sharing and storage.
• Practical implementation of technology within a central bank.

Module 6: Leveraging AI and Machine Learning for Surveillance

• Introduction to machine learning models for anomaly detection.
• Using AI to identify complex fraud networks.
• Predictive analytics for future risk assessment.
• The ethics and governance of AI in supervision.
• Managing false positives and model explainability.

Module 7: Cybersecurity and Data Protection

• Core cybersecurity threats to financial institutions.
• Designing a robust and resilient cyber defense framework.
• Incident response and crisis management protocols.
• The role of threat intelligence in preventing attacks.
• Protecting sensitive data and ensuring data integrity.

Module 8: The Challenge of Digital Currencies and Payments

• Regulating Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
• The supervisory challenges of cryptocurrencies and virtual assets.
• Preventing illicit use of digital wallets and peer-to-peer payments.
• Cross-border payment systems and their vulnerabilities.
• The future of payment systems and central bank oversight.

Module 9: Forensic Auditing and Financial Investigations

• Techniques for tracing illicit funds and assets.
• Analyzing complex financial statements for red flags.
• The process of gathering and preserving evidence.
• Interviewing and interrogation skills for investigators.
• Preparing a case for legal and regulatory action.

Module 10: Legal and Enforcement Powers

• Understanding central bank's legal authority.
• Issuing penalties, fines, and enforcement notices.
• The process of asset freezing and seizure.
• Inter-agency and international cooperation in investigations.
• Building a successful prosecution and legal case.

Module 11: International Cooperation and Information Sharing

• The role of international bodies like FATF, IMF, and the World Bank.
• Negotiating and implementing mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs).
• Overcoming challenges in cross-border data sharing.
• Building secure communication channels for sensitive information.
• Joint exercises and simulations with international partners.

Module 12: Stress Testing and Systemic Risk

• The importance of stress testing for financial stability.
• Designing scenarios to test for financial crime resilience.
• Analyzing the impact of fraud on a bank's balance sheet.
• Using macroprudential tools to mitigate systemic risks.
• Lessons from past financial crises and regulatory responses.

Module 13: Supervising FinTech and Digital Payments

• Licensing and supervising FinTech companies.
• Regulatory sandboxes and innovation hubs.
• Ensuring consumer protection in the digital space.
• Monitoring digital lending platforms for predatory practices.
• The future regulatory landscape for a digital-first world.

Module 14: Data Governance and Security

• The legal and ethical obligations of data privacy.
• Implementing robust data governance frameworks.
• The use of cryptography and secure communication.
• Auditing data systems for compliance and security.
• Preparing for and responding to data breaches.

Module 15: AI-Powered Financial Crime Prevention

• Using graph analysis to visualize criminal networks.
• Leveraging natural language processing (NLP) to analyze documents.
• The role of AI in automating compliance checks.
• Building a human-in-the-loop system for validation.
• The future of AI in financial supervision.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.