It is accepted that the business environment in Africa carries a higher level of risk and challenge than other parts of the world. Turning risk into opportunity, ALN’s multi-disciplinary team helps clients navigate the continued changes in regulation, governance and compliance.

Non-profit organisations, development partners and private companies across Africa need to manage risk and prevent, detect, investigate and respond to incidents in order to protect their people, assets, operations and brand.

ALN’s dedicated Forensics, Risk and Compliance team combines legal, accounting, economic, communication, investigative, technology skillsets and organisational development strategies to provide clients with a tailored set of services which cover incident detection, investigation, response and prevention for both private and public sector clients.

We provide support to clients before, during and after an adverse event. From real-time crisis response and recovery to crisis management planning, from risk identification to risk governance, our Forensics, Risk and Compliance Team is ready to help client protect its people, assets, operations and brand.

In conjunction with our Dispute Resolution team, we offer services at all stages of an investigation, including dawn raids, amnesty applications, compliance and defence strategies, negotiations with the authorities and damages assessment, assisting clients in their effort to manage financial, misconduct and reputational risks.

We are also able to support our transactional colleagues in Corporate M&A, Banking & Finance and Projects & Infrastructure in providing due diligence investigationary support into target companies, businesses and key individuals to enable clients to identify key risks and potential areas of concern with any potential acquisition or financing before a deal is signed. We are also able to take a helicopter view of the whole due diligence process across the relevant disciplines to identify threads or lines of enquiry which may not be obvious from an individual report.

Principal Areas of Practice:

  • Corporate intelligence and due diligence
  • Crisis and risk management
  • Cyber security and data protection
  • Financial assurance in grant management
  • Forensic advisory and compliance
  • Forensic investigations
  • Forensic technology services
  • Whistleblowing

What Sets Us Apart in Forensics, Risk, and Compliance:

  • Seamlessly Integrated Interventions: Our agile and collaborative approach enables us to seamlessly integrate our diverse service offerings, providing you with a holistic and truly comprehensive solution tailored to your unique needs.
  • Regional Breadth with Extensive Local Depth: We strategically combine global and regional perspectives with deep and nuanced local insight, empowering us to effectively navigate the unique challenges and capitalise on the specific opportunities present within diverse African markets.
  • Flexible Arrangements: We recognise that your specific needs are unique and multifaceted. Whether you require a focused short-term engagement to address a pressing issue or a strategic long-term partnership for ongoing support, we offer flexible and adaptable arrangements tailored to your precise requirements.
  • Delivery of Lasting and Sustainable Results: Our commitment extends beyond providing immediate solutions. We collaborate closely with your leadership and management teams to ensure that our findings and strategic recommendations drive lasting positive change and foster a robust culture of continuous improvement within your organisation.
  • Tailored Services: We firmly believe that a standardised approach is insufficient. We invest the time and resources necessary to thoroughly understand your specific circumstances and tailor our services to precisely meet the unique needs of your organisation, your specific sector, and your distinct operating environment.

Representative transactions include advising:

  1. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

    In connection with investigations under a two-year framework agreement starting in 2020.

  2. An international non-profit organisation

    In connection with an investigation into reported claims of corruption, harassment, and mismanagement at one of its local member associations that provides sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

  3. A mid-tier bank

    In connection with a special investigation into allegations of impropriety by a whistle-blower.

  1. A large UK insurance company

    In the implementation of a group-wide Anti-Bribery Corruption programme, including the assessment of ‘ABC readiness’ across all service lines and countries to establish compliance with the UK Bribery Act (2010).

  2. A local firm

    In connection with a corporate intelligence investigation and exercise to collect and analyse information regarding the founder, the CEO and company operations entity within the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this investigation was to obtain evidence on suspected criminal activity, tax fraud, money laundering, and the establishment of the ownership of this entity within the pharmaceutical industry.

  3. A leading insurer

    On a forensic investigation of its boarding and commission payment process, including whether there was an infringement of the UK Anti-Bribery and Corruption Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Principal Areas of Practice in Forensics, Risk, and Compliance:

We offer a comprehensive suite of services strategically formulated to address your specific concerns and proactively mitigate potential risks, encompassing:

  1. Forensics Investigations

    We conduct thorough and discreet investigations into allegations of financial crime, professional misconduct, and regulatory non-compliance, providing unwavering support to our clients throughout every critical stage of their investigative lifecycle.

    Key services within our Forensics Investigations portfolio include:

    • Expert handling of financial crime matters, including fraud, bribery, and corruption.
    • Comprehensive investigations into money laundering, terrorist financing, and antitrust violations.
    • Diligent management of sensitive whistleblower reports.
    • Thorough inquiries into asset misappropriation.
    • Detailed assessments of regulatory violations.
    • Precise quantification of financial damages.
    • Specialised investigations into internet and e-commerce fraud.
    • Expert handling of data leakage incidents.
    • Implementation of robust safeguarding measures.
  2. Corporate Intelligence & Due Diligence

    We strategically assist our clients in proactively identifying potential issues that could expose them to detrimental reputational damage, stringent regulatory sanctions, and other significant risks. Through the gathering and insightful interpretation of critical corporate intelligence information, we empower organisations to effectively manage their relationships with diverse stakeholders. Our intelligence gathering capabilities span numerous jurisdictions and various media channels.

  3. Whistleblowing

    We empower organisations to proactively detect and effectively respond to non-compliance issues through the establishment of robust and confidential whistleblowing strategies. We develop secure systems for confidentially channelling sensitive information to designated individuals or teams capable of swiftly remediating situations and preventing escalation into more serious problems.

    Key services within our Whistleblowing portfolio include:

    • Comprehensive assessment of existing whistleblowing policies.
    • Thorough evaluation of current whistleblowing platforms.
    • Provision of effective and secure whistleblowing solutions.
    • Critical review of reporting structures and their effectiveness in addressing reported issues.
    • Comprehensive review of safeguarding strategies.
    • Delivery of impactful user awareness sessions.
    • Thorough and discreet investigation of reported issues
  4. Safeguarding Services

    We strategically assist clients in proactively deterring harm and abuse within the work environment by facilitating the design and implementation of sturdy governance frameworks. We collaborate closely to develop comprehensive policies, procedures, stringent controls, and effective mechanisms aimed at reducing both the likelihood and potential impact of safeguarding risks. ALN firms’ internally developed and rigorously tested Safeguarding Framework provides protection for institutions against SEAH (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) risks.

    Key services within our Safeguarding Services portfolio include:

    • Strategic design and seamless implementation of comprehensive safeguarding programs.
    • Development of detailed safeguarding policy manuals.
    • Conducting thorough safeguarding risk assessments.
    • Performing due diligence checks.
    • Conducting thorough and sensitive safeguarding investigations.
    • Provision of effective whistleblowing services.
    • Delivery of impactful safeguarding training and awareness sessions within the workplace.
  5. Financial Assurance in Grant Management

    We empower institutional donors, astute fund managers, and impactful non-profit organisations to effectively manage grants by equipping them with the essential skills and robust tools necessary to proactively anticipate and strategically mitigate the significant risk of financial mismanagement and potential misuse of allocated funds. 

    The comprehensive auditing and meticulous investigative strategies that we develop for organisations incorporate reliable and transparent financial reporting systems and review mechanisms designed to rigorously verify the appropriate utilisation of funds.

  1. Forensic Technology

    We empower organisations with the capability to rapidly collect and analyse critical data essential for regulatory and internal reviews, as well as the efficient settlement of disputes. Our expert team identifies, securely collects, rigorously processes, and produces electronically stored information in a manner fully admissible as compelling evidence in courts of law, tribunals, and arbitration authorities.

    Key services within our Forensic Technology portfolio include:

    • Employing cutting-edge imaging technologies for comprehensive forensic investigations and evidence gathering.
    • Providing end-to-end eDiscovery solutions, encompassing the precise identification, secure collection, thorough review, and compliant disclosure of relevant data.
    • Offering managed review services, leveraging the expertise of seasoned attorneys and other specialists for document and data evidence analysis.
  2. Forensics Advisory & Compliance

    We strategically design and implement robust plans aimed at reducing the risk of financial crime and ensuring compliance with intricate regulatory requirements. Our strategies are tailored to develop holistic, cost-effective, and sustainable risk management frameworks.

    Key services within our Forensics Advisory & Compliance portfolio include:

    • Expert preparation and seamless implementation of comprehensive fraud risk management and robust anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies and procedures.
    • Providing expert advisory services on regulatory and statutory anti-bribery compliance obligations.
    • Offering expert advice and comprehensive training on anti-money laundering compliance and mandatory reporting obligations.
    • Thorough assessment of unsound financial crime functions.
    • Providing expert guidance on stringent Know-Your-Client (KYC) requirements.
    • Conducting risk assessments pertaining to the UK Bribery Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
    • Providing expert counsel on industry-leading business practices and the effective implementation of internal codes of conduct.
    • Conducting thorough internal assessments and formulating tailored risk mitigation strategies with a strong focus on the proactive prevention and early detection of economic crimes.
    • Providing expert advice on critical aspects of privacy, confidentiality, and liability.
    • Facilitating seamless registration and de-registration processes for partners and affiliates.
    • Providing expert guidance on tax status for all types of public benefit organisations
  3. Cyber Security & Data Protection

    We collaborate closely with clients to develop and implement proactive risk-reducing measures specifically related to online security and the protection of sensitive data.

    Key services within our Cyber Security & Data Protection portfolio include:

    • Proactively uncovering negative online campaigns.
    • Conducting thorough data leakage assessments.
    • Providing active and up-to-date threat intelligence.
    • Performing comprehensive cyber forensics investigations.
  4. Internal Audit Services

    We provide value-added, risk-based, and solution-driven independent assurance and expert consulting services. Our goal is to strategically assist our clients in ensuring that their governance structures, internal control environment, critical processes, and established procedures thrive amidst the dynamic and often volatile business environment. 

    We strategically focus on matters fundamentally crucial to our clients’ sustained survival and continued growth. Our robust investigative capabilities seamlessly complement our comprehensive approach to internal audits, enabling us to provide practical and actionable recommendations for effectively remedying identified issues, with a strong emphasis on enhancing operational efficiency while ensuring a resilient and sound control environment.

    Our internal audit focus encompasses:

    • Critical assessment of governance risks.
    • Strategic evaluation of strategic risks.
    • Thorough analysis of financial risks.
    • Diligent assessment of reputational risks.
    • Comprehensive evaluation of information technology and cybersecurity risks.
  5. Crisis & Risk Management

    We equip organisations with appropriate and resilient systems and empower their staff with the requisite skills to swiftly identify and effectively respond to crises, thereby mitigating or significantly reducing their potential impact.

    The crisis management strategies we develop in close collaboration with our clients consider all critical aspects of the organisation’s operating environment, guided by emerging social, legal, and sector-specific issues.

    ALN firms possess the proven experience to strategically transform adversity into opportunity while steadfastly protecting our clients’ people, valuable assets, critical operations, and esteemed brand reputation.

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