Over 1,000 compliance and risk officers to gather in Lomé in July

In a globalised economy where trust has become the most valuable currency, Africa is accelerating its regulatory transformation. The Togolese capital will host the 3rd edition of the “Compliance and Risk Officers Meeting” on 8 and 9 July 2026.

This event, now firmly established on the continent’s major professional calendar, is set to bring together over 1,000 African and European experts. Additionally, this gathering in Lomé lays the groundwork for a crucial challenge for the continent: how to reconcile economic growth, the demands of international donors, and business ethics?

Compliance: the new shield for African institutions

Long seen as a secondary administrative constraint, compliance has become the strategic engine of financial institutions and multinationals operating on the continent. This concept encompasses the set of procedures designed to ensure an organisation strictly adheres to laws and ethical standards.

From anti-money laundering units to corruption prevention, along with the highly strategic protection of personal data and reputation risk management, compliance has become the mandatory key to reassuring markets.

If the topic is gaining such traction in Lomé, it is because Africa faces unprecedented pressure. International financial institutions and development partners are continuously tightening their evaluation criteria. For the continent’s banks and public enterprises, having a robust compliance department is no longer an option for shining internationally: it is a sine qua non condition to avoid the axe of sanctions and maintain access to global banking correspondent lines.

Why choosing Lomé sends a strong signal

Hosting this thousand specialists in Togolese territory is no coincidence. In recent years, Togo has embarked on extensive reforms to clean up its business environment and modernise its legal framework, notably by aligning with the latest West African community directives. By transforming its capital into a hub for risk reflection, the country positions itself not only as a logistical facilitator but also as a key player in the sub-region’s quest for financial transparency.

Over two days, exchanges between European and African experts will allow for comparing field realities and standardising practices. Faced with shifting geopolitical crises and increasingly extraterritorial regulations, West Africa intends to prove in Lomé that it no longer merely undergoes global norms but is training the executives capable of implementing them.