African Commission for Standards and Accreditation (ACSA) is a continental framework rooted in African values and realities, dedicated to raising the standard of organisational integrity, compliance, and governance across Africa. Through rigorous accreditation and certification—especially in areas like Anti-Money Laundering (AML), ethics, transparency, and operational risk management—ACSA ensures organisations are trustworthy, resilient, and aligned with both local and international norms.
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Organisations review ACSA’s standards (including AML/CFT & related compliance requirements) and perform a self-assessment of current adherence to those standards.
ACSA conducts audits / site or remote inspections to confirm that implementation matches documentation, assessing effectiveness of controls, staff awareness, reporting mechanisms, etc.
Once accredited, organisations are certified. But certification isn’t a one‐time event: there is ongoing monitoring, periodic re-audits, reporting of incidents, and mandatory improvements to maintain the certification.
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ACSA provides certification services in critical compliance areas, including AML/Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Ethical Conduct. Organisations are assessed against benchmarked criteria to certify that their policies, procedures, and controls meet high standards of compliance.
We develop, maintain, and enforce standards designed for Africa’s institutional landscape. These frameworks are tailored to local regulatory environments but aligned with global best practices in compliance, financial crime prevention, and organisational governance
Our processes include thorough audits, transparent evaluation, and ongoing oversight. We help organisations design, implement, and improve compliance programmes, monitor effectiveness, and ensure they keep up with evolving threats and regulations.
ACSA’s Corporate Accreditation Programs represent the highest standard of organizational evaluation on the African continent. Designed to be both rigorous and development-focused, our accreditation system helps institutions strengthen their governance, improve operational discipline, enhance transparency, and build long-term resilience.
ACSA’s accreditation strengthened our governance and compliance systems in ways that immediately improved our efficiency and stakeholder confidence. The process was clear, supportive, and truly raised our operational standards.
Co-Founder-EastAfrica Trade Solutions (Kenya)
“ACSA helped us identify gaps and apply practical improvements that fit our organization. The certification has enhanced transparency within our teams and increased trust from our partners.”
Engineering Manager-Sahara Development Group (Ghana)
“ACSA accreditation reinforced our commitment to ethical operations and elevated our credibility in the market. It provided a strong framework that improved our compliance and boosted client confidence.”
Co-Founder-Ubuntu Financial Services (South Africa)
The African Commission for Standards and Accreditation (ACSA) issues the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Standard as part of its broader mission to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability across the African continent. This standard provides a unified compliance framework to help organizations detect, prevent, and report money laundering and related financial crimes. It aligns with leading global benchmarks such as: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) African Union (AU) regional directives While maintaining alignment with these instruments, the ACSA AML Standard emphasizes African regulatory realities and socioeconomic contexts. The ACSA AML Standard forms the foundation for AML Certification, enabling organizations to demonstrate their commitment to responsible financial conduct and ethical operations.
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Any organization operating in Africa—whether corporate, nonprofit, public sector, or professional service-based—can apply as long as it is committed to improving governance, transparency, and compliance. Eligibility is based on an organization’s ability to meet ACSA’s standards, not its size or industry.
The timeline varies depending on an organization’s readiness, but most complete the process within one to three months. The duration depends on how quickly required documents are submitted, how prepared the organization is for assessment, and how fast recommended improvements are implemented.
The audit reviews an organization’s governance structure, internal controls, compliance systems, and operational integrity. It assesses documentation, procedures, decision-making processes, and risk-management practices to ensure the organization meets ACSA’s corporate standards.
If gaps are identified, ACSA provides a corrective plan so the organization can address weaknesses. After improvements are made, a follow-up review is conducted. The goal is to support the organization in meeting all standards rather than imposing immediate failure.
Yes, certification can be suspended or revoked if an organization fails to maintain standards, engages in misconduct, or neglects compliance. ACSA may also alert relevant partners or authorities in cases of serious violations to protect the integrity of the accreditation system.
Preparation involves ensuring that governance systems, compliance procedures, and internal controls are well-documented and functioning consistently. Organizations should review their policies, train relevant staff, and confirm that decision-making processes, records, and reporting mechanisms reflect transparency and accountability. Being organized and proactive significantly speeds up the accreditation process.
