Building on the momentum of its inaugural event in 2024, Standard Bank Namibia will host the second annual Anti-Financial Crime Conference on Thursday, 14 August 2025, convening regulators, financial institutions, and global experts to address the rising complexity of financial crime in the digital age.
Last year’s conference opened a vital dialogue on fraud, investment scams, and the shifting global sanctions landscape. It underscored the need for vigilance, collaboration, and innovation. This year, the conversation evolves under the theme: “Combating Financial Crime in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Geopolitical Unrest.”
Roxzaan Witbooi, Head of Compliance at Standard Bank Namibia, emphasized the transformative nature of AI in both enabling and combating financial crime: “AI is not just a tool; it is a turning point. Criminal networks are using machine learning to automate fraud, manipulate data, and exploit vulnerabilities at scale. But AI also offers us unprecedented capabilities to detect anomalies, predict risks, and strengthen compliance. The challenge is to stay ahead, ethically and intelligently.”
The conference comes at a critical time for Namibia, following its placement on the FATF grey list in early 2024. With 72 recommended actions to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) frameworks, the country is actively working toward reform. The conference supports these efforts by fostering cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange.
A highlight of the event will be the keynote address by Professor Thuli Madonsela, Director of the Centre for Social Justice at Stellenbosch University and former Public Protector of South Africa. Renowned advocate for ethical governance, social justice, and constitutional democracy., Professor Madonsela will speak on strengthening Financial Cybercrime Guardrails in the Age of AI. “Her voice is a moral compass in a time of disruption,” said Witbooi. “She reminds us that technology must be guided by values, and that leadership rooted in integrity is our strongest defense.”
Other key speakers include:
Hon. Emma Theofelus, Minister of ICT
Dr. Bryan Eiseb, Director, Financial Intelligence Centre
Sam SHIVUTE, Commissioner, NamRA
Leonie Dunn, Deputy Governor, Bank of Namibia
Melanie Harrison, Country Partner Deloitte “The conference will convene financial institutions, regulators, policymakers, and technology leaders—each facing a shared challenge and a shared responsibility. In an era where AI is rapidly transforming both the tools of crime and the tools of compliance, this gathering becomes more than an event—it becomes a strategic imperative. It offers a platform to unpack emerging regulations, exchange insights, and co-create strategies that embed AI and machine learning into robust, future-ready compliance frameworks. Above all, it is a space for learning, collaboration, and decisive action toward a safer financial ecosystem,” concluded Witbooi.
Standard Bank Namibia is also proud to announce the sponsors of this year’s event: MobiPay, Ekwando Consulting, and MTC. Their generous support and partnership reflect a shared commitment to strengthening Namibia’s financial integrity and resilience. We extend our sincere thanks to each of them for standing with us in this important cause.
In alignment with Standard Bank’s purpose-driven approach, all proceeds from the conference will go toward the Buy-a-Brick initiative, the bank’s flagship CSI programme that supports affordable housing development for vulnerable communities across Namibia.