Smartcomply Launches AI-Powered Adhere Platform to Combat Financial Crime in Africa
Smartcomply, a global compliance and cybersecurity technology company with a strong presence across Africa, has unveiled its AI-powered Adhere platform. This innovative solution is designed to help banks and financial institutions detect and prevent financial crime in real time.
The Adhere platform is tailored for African regulatory environments and offers comprehensive automated solutions for various compliance needs. These include anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC), customer due diligence (CDD), sanctions and politically exposed person (PEP) screening, risk assessment, and regulatory reporting. It also integrates seamlessly with national identity systems such as Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN).
This development comes at a crucial time as the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a circular on 10 March 2026, titled BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/019/002. The circular mandates that all banks, mobile money operators, international money transfer operators, and other regulated financial institutions deploy automated AML solutions that meet 12 minimum standards within 18 to 24 months. Additionally, these institutions are required to submit implementation roadmaps within three months of the circular.
“Adhere was built to solve exactly the challenge the Central Bank of Nigeria is now mandating for all regulated institutions,” said Gbemisola Osunrinde, CEO of Smartcomply. “Our platform covers transaction monitoring, automated KYC and CDD, sanctions and PEP screening, risk assessment, case management, and regulatory reporting, all purpose-built for Africa.”
Key Features of the Adhere Platform
The Adhere platform includes several advanced features that make it a robust solution for financial institutions:
- AI-Driven Transaction Monitoring: This feature uses behavioural pattern recognition and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities.
- Dynamic Customer Profiling: The system adjusts customer profiles in response to new data, ensuring up-to-date information.
- Enterprise Case Management: Role-based workflows enable efficient handling of compliance cases.
- Automated Regulatory Reporting: The platform generates reports in formats prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, such as Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs), and Foreign Transaction Reports (FTRs).
Real-World Application and Benefits
Already operational with banking clients across multiple African markets, Adhere provides institutions with a tested solution in live regulatory environments rather than a theoretical system. This ensures that financial institutions can rely on a proven platform to meet their compliance obligations effectively.
Osunrinde emphasized the importance of using a platform specifically built for African regulatory standards. “Compliance teams across Nigeria are evaluating how to meet new AML automation requirements. Institutions that move fastest will be those using a platform built specifically for African regulatory standards, rather than retrofitting a solution from another market.”
Conclusion
As the regulatory landscape in Africa continues to evolve, the need for advanced compliance solutions becomes increasingly critical. Smartcomply’s Adhere platform stands out as a powerful tool that not only meets current requirements but also adapts to future challenges. With its AI-driven capabilities and deep understanding of local regulations, Adhere is poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding financial institutions against emerging threats.
