SADC DFI Compliance Symposium
On 11-12 September 2025, the SADC-DFRC joined the DFI Compliance Symposium at the IDC Auditorium in Sandton, hosted by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in collaboration with the Compliance Institute Southern Africa (CISA) and the SADC-DFRC.
Themed “Compliance: Policies, Rules, Standards”, the symposium brought together senior executives and compliance professionals to reflect on the evolving landscape for Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) across the region.
Highlights from Mr. Zwelibanzi Sapula, CEO of SADC-DFRC:
Delivered a keynote on “What Keeps DFI CEOs Awake at Night from a Compliance Standpoint?”, emphasizing compliance as central to resilience, governance, and sustainable development. Participated as a panellist on “Cross-border Compliance Harmonization in the SADC Region”, stressing the role of technology, data-driven oversight, and integrated systems in building transparent and harmonized frameworks across jurisdictions.
Topics discussed included:
ESG, AML/CFT, procurement & data protection Governance structures & internal controls Whistleblower protection & ethics programmes Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Greylisting implications for DFIs Anti-Money Laundering (AML) typologies of prospective DFI clients
The symposium reaffirmed compliance as a strategic enabler of development finance and regional integration, with the SADC-DFRC committed to supporting its network in strengthening governance, risk management, and accountability frameworks.
