The International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals (IICFIP) Academy is Africa’s premier institution dedicated to building the capacity of professionals engaged in financial intelligence, forensic investigations, and crime prevention.
Founded in partnership with the Government of Cameroon, the Academy officially launches in November 2024, targeting Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, private sector professionals, and civil society across Africa.
With a focus on providing specialized training programs, certifications, and professional development opportunities, the IICFIP Academy strives to address the growing complexities of financial crime, including money laundering, corruption, fraud, and cybercrime.
By leveraging international partnerships with institutions such as the US Department of State, Commonwealth Secretariat, and La Francophonie, the Academy aims to establish a continent-wide network of financial intelligence experts committed to upholding justice and ethical governance.
Our History
The IICFIP Academy was born out of the increasing need for a comprehensive, Africa-focused training platform to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to combat financial crimes.
Recognizing that Africa’s financial systems face growing threats from domestic and cross-border financial crime, the Academy was established to bridge the skills gap in forensic accounting, cybersecurity, financial crime investigation, and governance.
Supported by the outcomes of the 7th IICFIP Global Forensic Conference in July 2022, which took place under the patronage of His Excellency Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of Cameroon, the Academy was envisioned to play a pivotal role in promoting transparency, governance, and collaboration across Africa’s financial and investigative sectors.
Our ultimate goal is to become a full-fledged university by 2027, producing future leaders in financial intelligence and forensic investigation.
We Align with the Regional & Global Agendas
World Bank Human Capital Project
The IICFIP Academy supports the World Bank’s emphasis on investing in people by:
- Building Technical Expertise: Developing specialized training programs for Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) to combat financial crimes effectively.
- Enhancing Skills in Financial Governance: Equipping professionals with advanced competencies in financial intelligence, governance, and public accountability to strengthen institutional frameworks.
- Promoting Leadership: Training leaders in forensic accounting, financial crime detection, and ethical decision-making to uphold transparency and accountability.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Academy aligns its initiatives with key SDGs, including:
- Goal 16: Promote Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Strengthening governance structures and financial intelligence to foster accountable and transparent institutions.
- Goal 13: Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change: Integrating climate-smart financial practices to address illicit financial flows linked to environmental degradation.
- Goal 15: Protect, Restore, and Promote Sustainable Use of Terrestrial Ecosystems: Promoting financial integrity in natural resource management to prevent corruption and ensure sustainable practices.
African Union’s Agenda 2063
The Academy contributes to the African Union’s vision of a prosperous, peaceful, and integrated continent by:
- Enhancing Governance: Building capacity in financial intelligence and governance to create transparent, accountable institutions across Africa.
- Fostering Financial Independence: Empowering African nations to combat illicit financial flows, retain resources, and drive sustainable development.
- Promoting Regional Integration: Supporting initiatives that harmonize anti-financial crime policies across member states, fostering unity and economic cooperation.
Regional Alignment with African Economic Communities
The Academy aligns its programs with the strategic priorities of regional economic communities:
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):
- Strengthening regional cooperation to combat cross-border financial crimes.
- Promoting financial governance to boost economic stability and integration.
- Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC):
- Enhancing financial intelligence to tackle money laundering and corruption in resource-rich economies.
- Supporting transparent financial systems to attract sustainable investments.
- Southern African Development Community (SADC):
- Addressing regional vulnerabilities in financial crime through targeted training programs.
- Encouraging public-private partnerships to strengthen financial accountability.
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA):
- Promoting harmonized anti-money laundering frameworks to foster intra-regional trade.
- Supporting capacity-building initiatives to enhance compliance with global financial standards.
- East African Community (EAC):
- Strengthening institutional capacity to detect and prevent financial crimes that impede regional economic growth.
- Encouraging cooperation among member states to develop robust governance frameworks.
- Arab League:
- Collaborating on combating illicit financial flows that fund terrorism and undermine regional stability.
- Promoting financial intelligence to strengthen governance and foster economic growth in the Arab region.
Alignment with Global Agendas
The IICFIP Academy’s efforts resonate with broader international frameworks:
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF): Providing training to ensure compliance with FATF standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
- OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises: Promoting transparency and ethical practices in financial transactions to support global economic integrity.
- Paris Agreement: Supporting climate finance transparency and addressing illicit financial activities tied to environmental degradation.
The IICFIP Academy serves as a beacon of progress, addressing financial crimes and governance challenges across Africa and beyond. By building capacity, fostering ethical leadership, and aligning with regional and global agendas, the Academy is poised to transform the landscape of financial intelligence, enhance institutional accountability, and pave the way for a more secure, integrated, and prosperous world.