By Kepher Otieno

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), is set to host the 2025 Afreximbank Compliance Forum (ACF2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 12 to 14. Under the theme “Better Compliance – Better Trade: Embracing AI to Promote and Secure Trade Through a Modern Compliance Framework,” the forum represents a significant turning point in how Africa approaches regulatory compliance, positioning Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the heart of a new continental trade governance agenda.

At its core, ACF2025 signals a strategic realignment of compliance—long considered a regulatory burden—into a pivotal enabler of trade facilitation, financial integrity, and investor confidence. Afreximbank’s emphasis on AI as a transformative lever reflects broader trends in the financial sector, where digital intelligence is redefining how institutions manage risks, detect fraud, and monitor cross-border transactions in real time.

AI as a Strategic Enabler of Compliance and Trade

AI is no longer a future consideration but an immediate operational necessity. In the context of compliance, its value lies in automation, scale, and precision. Afreximbank is leveraging AI to enhance anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) frameworks—areas that remain critical to unlocking access to international finance and restoring trust in African financial systems.

Machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, and predictive analytics are being integrated to streamline due diligence, identify suspicious activities faster, and reduce false positives that have traditionally slowed down compliance processes. These technologies help institutions move from reactive compliance to proactive risk management, thus enhancing their credibility in global financial markets.

Positioning Compliance as a Strategic Asset

Dr. George Elombi, the incoming President of Afreximbank, highlighted a critical paradigm shift: compliance is no longer a cost centre but a strategic asset. This repositioning aligns with the continent’s broader economic agenda—one that seeks to deepen African participation in global trade while securing intra-African commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

By embedding AI into compliance architecture, financial institutions across Africa can reduce regulatory risk, improve onboarding procedures, and meet evolving global standards. This transition is essential to attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and facilitating cross-border financing.

Rwanda’s selection as the host of ACF2025 is emblematic of its growing stature as a leader in digital innovation and regulatory reform. Governor Soraya M. Hakuziyaremye of the National Bank of Rwanda reinforced this ambition, expressing Rwanda’s commitment to aligning with global financial standards and leveraging AI for market integrity. Hosting the forum enables Rwanda to showcase its digital finance ecosystem and further its role in shaping regional financial governance.

ACF2025 is expected to convene a diverse array of stakeholders—including central banks, regulators, financial institutions, legal experts, FinTechs, and compliance professionals—from across the continent and globally. The forum’s agenda is structured to offer practical insights into the deployment of AI across multiple compliance touchpoints.

Key topics will include: integration of AI into AML/CFT frameworks; insights from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on digital transformation; and case studies from countries exiting the FATF grey list.

Others are strategies to mitigate Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML); innovations in correspondent banking; and real-world applications of AI in customer onboarding and real-time risk scoring.

These discussions aim to bridge the current gap between digital innovation and regulatory governance, offering participants tools and frameworks to responsibly implement AI while safeguarding compliance integrity.

The momentum for ACF2025 builds on the success of the 2024 forum held in Dakar, which saw participation from 36 countries and over 25 expert speakers. That event marked a significant uptick in engagement, signalling growing awareness of compliance as a critical enabler of trade development.

Afreximbank is expected to unveil updates on its AI-driven compliance platforms, which are already contributing to faster onboarding, better fraud detection, and more secure transaction processing.

These innovations not only bolster institutional capacity but also elevate Africa’s standing in global trade networks.

ACF2025 comes at a pivotal time when Africa is consolidating its position within global trade systems and embracing technology to overcome long-standing compliance challenges. By placing AI at the forefront of its compliance strategy, Afreximbank is championing a vision of a more transparent, resilient, and digitally integrated African trade ecosystem. The Kigali forum is set to be a landmark event that underscores how compliance—powered by AI—can unlock new trade opportunities and secure Africa’s financial future.

By Hope Barbra

Kisumu National Polytechnic has been closed indefinitely after students went on demonstrations over alleged corruption at the institution.
In a notice, the Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye said the Interim Council of the institution held a meeting on Friday, 19th September 2025, and resolved to close the institution with immediate effect following disruptions.

“That demonstrations and boycotting of classes by trainees since Monday, 15th September 2025, preceded by various allegations against the Management by the Kisumu National Polytechnic Students Association (KINAPOSA),” read the circular.

The student union claimed fraud, theft, and corruption were being abetted at the institution by the Chief Principal and the Finance Manager in collusion with the ICT staff.

“Our fears are informed by the following pertinent concerns, that despite the Cabinet Secretary approving the fee for modularized CBET curriculum as per the letter dated 18th August 2025, the principal has willfully and unlawfully decided to increase fees on the same and other various categories of students abnormally.

Modularized CBET students approved at Ksh. 35,000 per module are paying Ksh. 40,000 to Ksh. 42,000 (Exhibit 1, 2).

KNEC curriculum students approved at Ksh. 67,000 are paying Ksh. 87,000 to Ksh. 89,000 (Exhibit 3).

TVET CDACC students approved at Ksh. 70,092 are paying Ksh. 87,000 (Exhibit 4).

First-year students invoiced at Ksh. 70,000 are paying Ksh. 143,178 (Exhibit 5).

That the Principal has continued to charge Electrical Department Telecommunications Level Six (6) students Ksh. 500 annually for School IDs, despite IDs not expiring.

That the Principal has maliciously converted the School Ladies’ Hostel into a Guest House and is collecting revenue from outsiders.

Subsequently, the Principal has denied the Students Union the right to run the school mace and is running it personally for profit.

That the Principal has paralyzed Kisumu National Student Union operations by denying the budgeted union funds of Ksh. 15 million, yet students are forced to subscribe Ksh. 1,500 and Ksh. 900 annually.”

That upon raising concerns, the ICT Department tampers with the student portal to cover up fee increments.

“Administration has been harassing and intimidating students using the police whenever concerns are raised,” wrote Chairperson Adem Silas.

They also questioned whether it was standard procedure for a Principal to engage in business within the school.

“We therefore request urgent intervention for thorough investigations and audits. We hereby call for the stepping aside of the Principal and staff involved,” he wrote.

They resolved that, to ensure rights are not violated, the students opted to boycott classes and participate in demos.

The Principal asked the students to maintain peace and stay away from the Polytechnic premises pending further communication on the dates when classes will resume.

“The Council affirms that the inconvenient circumstances are highly regrettable and wishes to assure all the affected trainees, parents, and guardians that the concerns raised will be investigated and addressed expeditiously with a view to resuming normalcy in the operations of the Polytechnic. All staff will report for duty unimpeded unless advised otherwise,” she wrote.

By Hope Barbra

Siaya Governor James Orengo has declared that he will not interfere with the ongoing inquiry into the sacked health workers by the County Public Service Board.

Orengo said he has received petitions from several individuals expressing concerns about allegedly being unfairly dismissed by the County Government of Siaya from service in the Health Department. He noted that a similar petition has also been presented to the County Assembly of Siaya.

“At this stage, I do not wish to compromise or interfere with the inquiry or interventions that will be undertaken by the County Assembly or any other investigations that may be launched by the agencies of Kenya’s criminal justice system. I urge them all to carry out thorough investigations and expose this scam for what it is.

It would also be necessary to conduct lifestyle audits on some of the individuals who could be persons of interest. Those found responsible and liable must be punished for this callous and criminal enterprise,” he said.

He said his government will cooperate fully and abide by, in accordance with the law, all recommendations and resolutions made by the County Assembly and other relevant state organs, including the enforcement of administrative action.

The governor emphasized the need to engage with the victims and address their plight in the context of how the issue arose.

“There are clear procedures for qualified persons to be appointed and deployed as part of the staff establishment. Jobs must be advertised, applications must be made, and interviews conducted. That is the only path for qualified persons to be appointed and become employees of the County Public Service,” he said.

Orengo added that it was necessary to examine all the individual cases of the complainants to confirm whether they got their appointment and deployment lawfully and regularly.

“The case is made worse when there are whispers of fraudulent activity. It is alleged that there were exchanges of money, which would completely taint and render any alleged appointment null and void,” he said.

He said the process initiated by the County Assembly of Siaya will give the petitioners an opportunity to establish the legality of the purported appointments.

“We urge the County Assembly to expedite the hearing and determination of the petition before them and note that the Assembly had directed that the Executive should not take any action until the conclusion of the proceedings before the Assembly. Noting the public outrage over this issue, we urge the Assembly to conclude this matter in a fortnight rather than a month,” he said.

Recently, 382 health workers were dismissed by the Siaya County Government over claims they were irregularly hired using forged documents.

The County Public Service Board said an audit carried out with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations revealed massive irregularities in the recruitment process.

Siaya County Public Service Board Chief Executive Officer, Wilfred Ouma Nyagudi, explained that the investigation uncovered glaring discrepancies.

“We noted several issues. Some of them were inconsistencies in the sequence of reference letters. Any letter we issue, such as deployments, must be signed by the chief of health. We had cases where somebody had a deployment letter dated earlier than their appointment,” Nyagudi said.

By Reporter

In the vast and sun-baked plains of Kilifi County, the vision of transforming arid lands into fertile fields has long been a hope and a promise from the Kenya Kwanza Government. The Galana Kulalu Government Food Security Project, once heralded as Kenya’s beacon of agricultural innovation, has faced numerous hurdles, yet it remains a symbol of hope and ambition, resilience, and the country’s ongoing quest for food security and independence. Today, this colossal project, often overlooked amid national priorities, continues to stand as a giant waiting to be fully awakened.

The Dream of Galana Kulalu

Launched in the early 2010s, the Galana Kulalu project aimed to transform approximately 1000,000 acres of semi-arid land into a maize-producing and other horticultural hub to guarantee food security for Kenya and export. Strategically located along the Galana River, a vital water source, this initiative was seen as a revolutionary step toward reducing reliance on food imports and boosting local maize production to bridge the gap left by local farmers. The project was supposed to serve as a model for large-scale irrigation schemes in Kenya, showcasing how drylands could yield bumper harvests with the right interventions from the government. It promised not only increased food security but also employment opportunities, industrial growth through agro-processing, and a boost to the local economy.

Current State: The Challenges and the Promise

Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project encountered numerous challenges that hampered its progress. Funding constraints, bureaucratic delays, technical difficulties, and environmental concerns all played a part in stalling the once-anticipated giant food basket. Particularly, issues surrounding water supply and energy infrastructure jeopardized the project’s sustainability. Reliable irrigation, especially in semi-arid zones, hinges on a consistent water source and a stable power supply to pump water to the irrigation fields, both of which have proven elusive for many years yet, the government refuses to give up but to strategize and make this giant food project a reality. The resilience of the project can be traced through recent efforts by the government agencies aimed at revitalizing the initiative and unlocking its potential once again.

The Water Crisis and the Costly Pumping System

One of the critical bottlenecks is water pumping. The Galana Kulalu food project relies heavily on the River Galana to irrigate the vast maize fields. To achieve this, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) has been operating an extensive pumping system to draw water from the river and channel it into the designated agricultural zones where center pivot pumps are used to irrigate these fields.

However, this operation comes at a steep cost. The NIA reportedly spends approximately one million Kenya shillings per day on diesel fuel alone just to keep the pumps running, leave alone repairs and maintenance of the generators. This figure underscores the high operational cost associated with the current water supply method, making the project economically unsustainable in its current form.

Imagine the scale of diesel consumption, trucks ferrying diesel into the arid plains, diesel generators humming day and night causing noise pollution, all draining resources and raising questions about the long-term viability of relying solely on fossil fuels for irrigation. This dependency on diesel not only increases operational costs but also raises environmental concerns, given the carbon footprint associated with fossil fuel combustion. The critical need to switch to more sustainable and cost-effective power sources has become more urgent.

A Bright Future: Power Electrification from the grid to Galana Kulalu by REREC

Recognizing these hurdles, the government has embarked on a strategic initiative through Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) who engaged several contractors to overhaul the energy infrastructure that will support this noble project. The ultimate goal is to reduce dependence on diesel and harness cheap power from the grid including Solar energy from Malindi Solar substation at Weru primarily, to run the irrigation systems efficiently and sustainably and hence reduce the coast of production.

This vision materializes through the ambitious power electrification project, which aims to transmit power from the Malindi Solar Substation in Weru to Galana. The plan involves establishing a 45MVA,220/66Kv power substation at Weru and constructing a high-voltage transmission line, specifically a 66KV line that will connect the grid power hub at Malindi solar substation directly to the irrigation areas. Key to this energy overhaul is the establishment of a 2 x 23MVA, 66/33Kv transformation capacity substation at Galana Kulalu near the irrigation fields. This substation will serve as a critical node, transforming the high-voltage power flowing from the grid into usable levels for the irrigation pumps and other farm equipment and also to power the shopping centers and villages near the farms for lighting and economic empowerment. By so doing, the project intends to establish a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly power supply to auxiliary equipment, including water pumps and irrigation controls. The grid power source promises a significant reduction in operational costs, a cleaner environment, and improved sustainability for the agricultural enterprise. Indeed, this is a game changer from the government initiative to lower cost of food.

The Transformation Infrastructure: Transforming Vision into Reality

Mechanically, this means that the Galana Kulalu project will move from its reliance on expensive and polluting diesel operations to a more modern, energy mix comprising solar to power the irrigation system. The substation will distribute power across the irrigation grid, ensuring consistent and stable electricity supply vital for large-scale irrigation and crop production. This infrastructural investment not only symbolizes Government commitment to sustainable development but also underscores the importance of modernizing agricultural projects to meet contemporary environmental standards and economic demands.

The Bigger Picture: Reviving a National Treasure

While the project has faced delays and setbacks, this ongoing infrastructure development signifies a turning point in food production. It is a testament to the government’s recognition of Galana Kulalu’s importance in feeding the nation with a surplus for export.

Alfred Gogi, MIET, PET, KAPM, Reg,PET,MSc (Project management) and PhD student in Project Planning and Management The Writer is one of the project contractor’s engineers.

By Anderson Ojwang

The proposal to construct a nuclear energy power plant in Siaya county has sharply divided leaders and the residents.

While former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is drumming support for the plant, the son of freedom fighter the late Jaramogi Ochieng Oneko, Nam Achieng Oneko, has rejected the proposal and wants the government to invest in renewable energy such as solar energy.

In his letter to County Commissioner Siaya and Chief Executive Officer Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) captioned “RE: Stakeholders engagement to establish a Nuclear power plant in Siaya,” he expressed fear of dangers of installing a nuclear plant in Siaya.

“I lived through the Chernobyl nuclear disaster while as a student in Ukraine. I believe I was directly impacted by the radiation. It saddens me that Siaya has been earmarked for such a project.

The dangers of installing a nuclear plant in Siaya today and in future include: nuclear reactor accidents and radioactive material release, radioactive waste management challenges, health risks from radiation exposure, environmental impact from water usage and uranium mining or use, terrorism and sabotage risks, seismic risks due to Siaya’s location, security concerns related to flooding and water contamination, and financial sustainability challenges.

Germany, a highly developed country with fewer natural energy resources, has completely decommissioned its nuclear power plants and is focused on renewable sources of electricity. The final three reactors were shut down in April 2023, marking the completion of the country’s long-planned nuclear phase-out,” he wrote.

He said the initiative was not only a dangerous, complex and expensive project to undertake but also to decommission.

“Many western nations are now distancing themselves from such nuclear projects. They are clear why. USA historically built nuclear power plants as a technology leader after 2nd World War – Security concerns. China is building nuclear power plants to reduce its air pollution from overuse of coal. In Kenya or specifically in Siaya what is our WHY? We still have a chance to focus on renewable energy,” he asked.

He said installing nuclear power reactors, especially with the stringent measures required for safety and security, is one of the most complex undertakings for Siaya county or Kenya as a nation. It demands a multi-layered approach involving technical, regulatory, human, and financial expertise.

Oneko said this was a long-term investment; Siaya and Kenya cannot import all the expertise forever.

“With the same funding – why not install renewable energy like solar and wind??” he quipped.

Raila has described the nuclear power plant as a massive game-changer.

Recently Raila asked the residents and leaders to support the project, saying if successfully implemented, nuclear power will be a game changer in the socio-economic development of the counties and the country at large.

Raila, who spoke in Bondo, during a nuclear stakeholder engagement, said the project represented a monumental step towards energy security, industrialisation, and sustainable growth.

“Site selection for a nuclear power plant is critical. The identification of the Lake Victoria Region as a candidate host for the nuclear power plant is a recognition of its unique strategic advantages. It is important that there be a genuine and detailed engagement with the people, the leaders, and all stakeholders, and have all concerns raised and addressed,” he said.

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said the successful implementation of the nuclear power programme will provide numerous benefits to various sectors of Kenya’s economy.

Leaders and residents of Kilifi county had earlier rejected the project and this led the government to identify Siaya as the probable destination.

The multibillion Uyombo Nuclear power plant in Kilifi county was rejected by the leaders due to what they termed as harmful effect on the community and environment.

Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro faulted the NUPEA officials for failing to inform the public and local community before broaching the project to them.

He said the community received extensive civic education on the risks associated with the nuclear power plant.

“The residents of Uyombo have been informed well on the negative effects of the projects than the government and that is why as leaders we have told the CS there is no room for this project,” he said.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya said the county did not have any available site for nuclear plant.

“The government is welcomed to consult with us and even the locals on the way forward, but our position as of now is very clear, we are not ready to host a such plant,” he said.

NuPEA has commenced the process of identifying the site for Kenya’s first nuclear power plant in Siaya county.

NuPEA Director of Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development, Eng. Erick Ohaga, said the exercise marks the beginning of a nine-year journey that will see Kenya switch on its first nuclear plant in 2034.

Eng. Ohaga revealed that eight locations have been earmarked in Siaya: Ugambe, Sirongo, Liunda, Manywanda, Osindo, Nyangoye, Kanyawayaga and Dagamoyo.

Over the next two weeks, NuPEA teams will collect seismological, population, electrical grid, infrastructure, meteorological, and hydrological data. The information will guide the ranking of the sites to narrow them down to two, the most preferred and an alternative, by the end of October.

“These two sites will undergo further engineering studies for two years, alongside environmental impact assessments to determine the project’s sensitivity to marine life,” Ohaga said. He added that construction will begin once feasibility studies are complete and the final site selected.

The planned nuclear power plant, to be built at a cost of Sh500 billion, is expected to generate 20,000 MW of electricity for the national grid by 2040.