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The Authority Behind
Global Trade Integrity
Our Story
Established in 2007
The African Bureau of Trade & Investment Compliance (ABTIC) was founded in 2007 by a consortium of trade finance experts, international compliance professionals, and economic governance specialists. Their shared vision: to create an independent, globally respected body that could certify the integrity and compliance of entities engaged in cross-border trade and investment.
Over 19 years, ABTIC has grown from a regional standards body into a internationally recognized certification authority serving 54 African nations. Our certificates are backed by rigorous AML/CTF screening aligned with FATF guidelines, and secured through blockchain verification technology — ensuring tamper-proof, universally verifiable credentials.
Today, ABTIC employs over 120 compliance officers, auditors, and support staff across five offices on four continents. We remain committed to our founding principle: that trust in international commerce must be earned, verified, and continuously maintained.
Our Mission
Advancing Integrity in Global Commerce
To advance integrity, transparency, and excellence in international trade and investment through world-class compliance certification standards. We verify that entities operating across borders meet the highest benchmarks of regulatory compliance, ethical governance, and operational competence.
Our Vision
A Verified World of Trade
A world where every cross-border trade and investment transaction is conducted by entities verified for integrity, competence, and regulatory compliance — where compliance certification is the universal language of trust in international commerce.
Governance
Leadership Team
Our council is led by distinguished professionals with decades of combined experience in trade, compliance, and compliance certification.
Jonathan Marsh
Chairman & Founder
35 years of experience in trade finance and international regulatory frameworks. Former advisor to multilateral trade bodies.
Dr. Christine Walters
Director General
PhD in International Economic Law from the University of Cambridge. Specialist in cross-border regulatory harmonization.
Adeyemi Okafor
Chief Compliance Officer
Former FATF policy analyst with deep expertise in AML/CTF frameworks, sanctions enforcement, and global compliance architecture.
Elena Hoffmann
Head of compliance certification
ISO 17011 expert with 20 years in conformity assessment. Leads ABTIC's compliance certification standards development and auditing.
102
Countries
8,200+
Certificates
120+
Staff
19
Years
99.6%
Compliance Rate
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