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Africa Edition 2026 — Nairobi.

East Africa Rising: building resilient institutions and compliance ecosystems fit for the future. For the first time in seven years, the Awards & Summit travels to Nairobi — East Africa's foremost financial and innovation hub.

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About This Edition

East Africa is writing its own rulebook.

Regulators, bankers, fintech leaders, compliance professionals and policymakers gather for a day of rigorous dialogue and recognition — building homegrown solutions that reflect the region's own economic, cultural and institutional realities.

🏦

Maturing sector

Banking, insurance and capital markets professionalising fast.

📱

Mobile-first

Kenya's mobile-money ecosystem — a global reference point.

⚖️

Evolving regulation

ESAAMLG, central-bank directives and FATF evaluations.

🌍

Pan-African network

Nairobi joins Lagos in the Awards' history.

The Day — 20 November 2026

A morning of ideas. An evening of recognition.

09:00
Registration & welcome coffee
10:00
Summit opens — Keynote: East Africa Rising
10:30
Summit sessions & panel discussions
12:30
Networking luncheon
13:30
Afternoon roundtables & sessions
14:00
Summit closes
16:00
Cocktail reception & welcome drinks
17:00
Gala Awards Ceremony opens · presentations & formal dinner
19:00
Gala closes
Summit Sessions

Eight sessions. Every sector.

01

Regulatory Pulse: Navigating East Africa's AML/CFT & Compliance Landscape

Regulatory Intelligence
02

Homegrown Solutions: GRC Frameworks That Reflect African Market Realities

Governance & Culture
03

The Financial Crime Threat: From Mobile-Money Fraud to Trade-Based Laundering

FinCrime Disruption
04

Digital Finance & Crypto: Compliance in a Mobile-First Economy

Technology & Innovation
05

Governance & Accountability: Board-Level Responsibility in African Institutions

Governance & Culture
06

Women Leading GRC: Advancing Gender Equity in the Compliance Profession

Leadership & Diversity
07

RegTech for Africa: Practical Technology Adoption for Constrained Environments

Technology & Innovation
08

Building the Next Generation: Talent, Education & the Future of African GRC

Leadership & Diversity
Speakers — Africa Edition

The voices leading East Africa's GRC conversation.

Keynotes and panellists drawn from banking, fintech, insurance, regulators, legal, RegTech and academia. Names confirmed on a rolling basis.

CCO
[To Be Announced]
Group Chief Compliance Officer — Tier-1 Commercial Bank, East Africa
FT
[To Be Announced]
Head of Compliance & Risk — Mobile Money / Digital Finance Platform
CRO
[To Be Announced]
Chief Risk Officer — Insurance / Asset Management, Africa
FIU
[To Be Announced]
Director — Financial Intelligence Unit, East Africa
CB
[To Be Announced]
Director, Financial Sector Supervision — Central Bank of Kenya or Equivalent
LAW
[To Be Announced]
Senior Partner, Financial Crime & Compliance — Pan-African Law Firm
RT
[To Be Announced]
Founder & CEO — East Africa RegTech / Compliance Technology
AC
[To Be Announced]
Professor, Governance Risk & Compliance — Leading East African University
Award Categories — Africa Edition 2026

Excellence recognised across every sector of the economy.

Six award pillars spanning every regulated sector — from financial services and fintech to energy, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, telecoms and the public sector.

01

GRC & FinCrime Achievement

Banks, microfinance, fintech, insurance and asset management leading on AML/CFT and GRC.

02

Sector GRC Excellence

Energy, engineering, manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, telecoms, legal, agriculture & public sector.

03

Individual Leadership

Influencers, FinCrime and GRC leaders, cyber champions, auditors and rising stars.

04

Women in GRC & FinCrime

Recognising women advancing excellence and equity across the profession.

05

Media & Promoters

Reporters, publications, broadcasters and digital media advancing the conversation.

06

Providers & Lifetime

Training, advisory, RegTech and recruitment providers — plus the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Venue

Nairobi's address for international excellence.

The Marriott Hotel, Nairobi sits in Upper Hill — the city's financial and diplomatic heart, minutes from the CBD and both airports. World-class conference and banqueting facilities make it the natural home for East Africa's premier GRC gathering.

Grand ballroomExhibition spacesHigh-spec AVOn-site accommodation~10 min from CBD
✈️ From JKIA
~25–40 min
🛩️ From Wilson
~10–15 min
🏙️ From CBD
~10 min
🚕 Ride-hailing
Uber / Bolt 24/7
👥 Capacity
Up to 200 guests
✉️ Contact
events@grcfincrimeawards.com
While You're In Nairobi

Make the most of your visit.

Upper Hill and the surrounding districts offer excellent dining, shopping, culture and nature — all within easy reach of the venue.

🍽️ Dining, Shopping & Nightlife

Upper Hill & Hurlingham restaurantsYaya CentreWestlands nightlifeTwo Rivers MallThe Hub, Karen

🦒 Culture, Wildlife & Parks

Nairobi National ParkGiraffe CentreDavid Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKaren Blixen MuseumUhuru ParkNairobi Arboretum

💡 Tip for international delegates: Nairobi's altitude (~1,795m) and equatorial climate mean mild temperatures year-round (typically 15–25°C in November) — light layers by day, a jacket for cooler evenings. A valid passport and, for many nationalities, an eVisa or e-Travel Authorisation are required for entry into Kenya.