Following the successful establishment of the Africa Chapter last week, a significant milestone was achieved as WAIFC signatory members, EDB Mauritius, Rwanda Finance, Casablanca Finance City and EnterpriseNGR convened for the first official meeting of the Chapter. This event marked the beginning of a pivotal journey on the African continent, with attendees contributing valuable insights and ideas.
The meeting underscored various critical points, leading to the identification of key short- to mid-term actions. These actions aim to enhance the Chapter's visibility and efficacy through regional and international events, the exchange of best practices, leveraging artificial intelligence, and establishing a cohesive brand identity.
Additionally, preparations for a joint event in Tokyo this October should commence, involving discussions with FinCity.Tokyo and stakeholder engagement planning. The meeting highlighted the importance of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) practices. Our member, Economic Development Board (EDB), as the Chair of the Africa Chapter, is tasked with organizing a format for sharing best practices, potentially through webinars or workshops, featuring experts from the Bank of Mauritius and the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
The discussion also touched upon the importance of AI in various sectors. Members are encouraged to identify training and capacity-building needs within their ecosystems, which could be supported by the Regulatory Genome Project at Cambridge University in collaboration with the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC).
This inaugural meeting sets a robust foundation for the Africa Chapter, aiming to foster collaboration, share expertise, and drive impactful initiatives across the continent.