The Islamic Alliance concludes its counter-terrorism financing program in Nairobi

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition concluded today its advanced training program in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, entitled “Combating Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering – Advanced Level,” in a strategic step aimed at strengthening the security and financial system in the East African region.

The five-day program was implemented within the framework of the Alliance's strategic "Building" initiative, which focuses on developing the national capacities of member states and enabling them to address the complex challenges of financial crimes linked to terrorist activities. The closing ceremony was attended by Kenyan Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammed Noor Hassan, along with a number of high-ranking civilian and military officials.

The importance of timing and regional context

This step is of paramount importance given the geographical and security context; East Africa is a vital front in the global war on terror. Countries in the region face ongoing challenges related to extremist groups' attempts to exploit loopholes in financial systems to transfer funds and finance their operations. The role of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, headquartered in Riyadh, is to bolster international coordination efforts and address these gaps by sharing expertise and harmonizing regulatory frameworks.

The "combating the financing of terrorism" axis is one of the four basic pillars on which the work of the Islamic Alliance is based (along with the intellectual, media and military aspects), as drying up the financial sources is seen as the most effective step in crippling the capabilities of terrorist organizations and preventing them from expanding or recruiting new elements.

Program details and technical topics

The program saw wide participation from leading specialists and experts from the banking, financial, and security sectors in Kenya. Attendees included financial compliance officers, financial investigators, and specialists in tracking money laundering, as well as representatives from regulatory and supervisory bodies.

The training content focused on blending theoretical frameworks with practical applications, with the sessions covering:

• The latest international legislation and UN resolutions related to combating terrorism.
• New methods of financing terrorism, including the exploitation of modern financial technologies and digital currencies.
• Digital monitoring and analysis mechanisms for tracking suspicious financial flows.
• Leadership and corporate compliance management skills within security and financial agencies.

Strengthening international partnerships and sustainable security

The program included real-life case studies and intensive specialized exercises, aimed directly at honing participants’ skills in analyzing the complex financial patterns that criminal networks use to conceal the sources and destinations of funds.

At the conclusion of its meetings, the Islamic Alliance affirmed that the implementation of this program in Nairobi reflects its unwavering commitment to supporting member states, not only through military assistance but also by building effective national systems capable of withstanding financial crimes. This training is expected to enhance the capabilities of Kenyan specialists, positively impacting local and regional security and stability, and strengthening the international defense against the dangers of transnational terrorism.