2026-03-31 | CMD/DIR/PUB/CIR/001006The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a Guidance Note to clarify its Baseline Standards for Automated AML/CFT/CPF Solutions, requiring all financial institutions to implement these standards fully and submit a detailed implementation plan by June 10, 2026. This plan must outline how institutions will achieve compliance, focusing on defensibility, governance, and effectiveness, as the CBN will assess compliance at the institution level rather than endorsing specific vendor solutions. Institutions must ensure their solutions provide a consolidated view of customer risk and demonstrate strong governance, integration, and operational effectiveness, with incomplete or unsupported submissions facing supervisory action.
Central Bank of Nigeria Compliance Department Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, P.M.B. 0187, Garki Abuja Telephone: Email: cmd@cbn.gov.ng Website: www.cbn.gov.ng
CMD/DIR/PUB/CIR/001006
March 31, 2026
TO: ALL BANKS, MOBILE MONEY OPERATORS, INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFER OPERATORS, OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASELINE STANDARDS FOR AUTOMATED AML/CFT/CPF SOLUTIONS
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently issued the Baseline Standards for Automated AML/CFT/CPF Solutions (the “Baseline Standards”) to strengthen the effectiveness, governance, and integration of AML/CFT/CPF control frameworks across financial institutions.
Following this issuance, the CBN has observed increased industry engagement, including commentary and representations from technology service providers regarding alignment with the Baseline Standards.
While this reflects positive responsiveness, there is a growing risk of misinterpretation of regulatory expectations, particularly where compliance is framed primarily in terms of system features, vendor capabilities, or technology solutions.
To ensure clarity and consistency in implementation, the CBN has issued a Guidance Note on the Implementation of the Baseline Standards (the “Guidance Note”), which is attached to this letter.
The Guidance Note:
The Guidance Note should be read together with the Baseline Standards and does not replace or supersede the requirements set out therein.
Financial institutions are required to implement the Baseline Standards in full, taking into account their size, complexity, and risk profile.
In line with this requirement, all financial institutions are required to submit an implementation plan outlining how they will achieve compliance with the Baseline Standards.
Implementation plans must comprehensively address all requirements set out in the Baseline Standards.
The implementation plan must:
The implementation plan must be submitted in accordance with the CBN Implementation Plan Template attached. An editable version of the template (in Microsoft Word format) will be provided to facilitate completion.
The template sets out the minimum information required. Financial institutions may provide additional relevant information where necessary, provided that such information is clearly structured and does not replace the required format.
All financial institutions are required to submit their implementation plans within three (3) months of the issuance of the Baseline Standards i.e., June 10, 2026. Submissions should be made electronically in both editable (Word) and final (PDF) formats.
Submissions will form the basis for supervisory review and engagement.
The CBN will assess:
Incomplete, inconsistent, or unsupported submissions may attract supervisory action.
The CBN will continue to engage with financial institutions as necessary to support effective implementation and ensure alignment with regulatory expectations.
Please ensure that this directive is brought to the attention of relevant officers within your institution for immediate action.
Yours faithfully,
Olubunmi Ayodele-Oni For: Director, Compliance Department
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
GUIDANCE NOTE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASELINE STANDARDS FOR AUTOMATED AML/CFT/CPF SOLUTIONS
Providing Clarifications on Regulatory Expectations
Purpose
Following the issuance of the Baseline Standards for Automated AML/CFT/CPF Solutions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed increased engagement from financial institutions and technology service providers, including public commentary on the interpretation of the Standards.
While this reflects positive industry responsiveness, there is a growing risk of misinterpretation of regulatory expectations, particularly where compliance is framed primarily in terms of system features, vendor capabilities, or technology choices.
This Guidance Note provides clarification on the Central Bank's expectations and should be read alongside the Baseline Standards.
For avoidance of doubt:
a. Compliance with the Baseline Standards is assessed at the level of the financial institution, based on its ability to demonstrate effective, governed, and defensible AML/CFT/CPF controls.
b. Technology solutions are enablers of effective AML/CFT/CPF control environments, including governance, oversight, risk-based decision-making, and operational effectiveness, but do not substitute for these elements.
Accordingly, for the purposes of implementing the Baseline Standards for Automated AML/CFT/CPF Solutions, the Central Bank does not approve, certify, or endorse AML solutions or technology providers.
The Baseline Standards are technology neutral.
The Standards do not mandate the use of artificial intelligence or any specific technology.
Financial institutions may deploy:
provided that the deployed solution demonstrably meets regulatory expectations. The presence of advanced technology (including AI) does not, in itself, constitute compliance.
The Central Bank has observed claims by third-party providers that their solutions are "fully compliant" with CBN requirements.
For avoidance of doubt, claims by vendors or service providers regarding "full compliance” or "alignment with CBN standards” are not recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Compliance is assessed only:
Meeting the Baseline Standards requires more than system deployment.
Financial institutions are expected to demonstrate, at a minimum:
a. Defensibility:
b. Governance
c. Effectiveness
The elements outlined above are not exhaustive and the Central Bank may require additional controls or enhancements where necessary to ensure effective AML/CFT/CPF compliance.
Solutions that are technically advanced but lack governance or demonstrable effectiveness will not be regarded as compliant.
AML solutions are expected to operate as an integrated control environment covering all relevant components of the AML/CFT/CPF framework.
At a minimum, solutions must support the functional requirements set out in the Baseline Standards (see Section 5.1: AML Solution Requirements).
These include, among others:
Financial institutions must ensure full alignment with the detailed requirements specified in the Baseline Standards.
AML solutions must provide a consolidated, real-time or near real-time view of customer risk across all relevant data sources.
Implementations that rely on fragmented or partially integrated systems without robust, automated integration will not meet regulatory expectations.
Financial institutions remain fully responsible for compliance, regardless of reliance on third-party solutions.
Outsourcing or use of vendor platforms does not transfer:
The deployment of any technology solution, including the transition from manual or partially automated processes to automated systems, without demonstrable governance, effective integration and evidence of detection and control effectiveness, will not be regarded as compliance with the Baseline Standards.
This applies irrespective of how such solutions are marketed, including claims that they are "compliant" or "aligned with CBN requirements.”
The Central Bank will assess compliance based, at a minimum, on the following:
Additional factors may be considered where necessary to ensure effective supervision.
Solutions that do not demonstrate these elements in a coherent and integrated manner will not be regarded as compliant with the Baseline Standards.
The Central Bank does not expect uniform system sophistication across all institutions.
However, reliance on purely manual processes that do not ensure consistency, auditability, and timely detection will not meet regulatory expectations.
Accordingly, institutions are expected to implement control environments capable of meeting these requirements, with the level of sophistication proportionate to their risk profile, size, and complexity.
Financial institutions are reminded of the requirement to submit implementation roadmaps within three (3) months of the date of issuance of the Baseline Standards i.e., June 10, 2026.
The Central Bank will assess these submissions based on:
Submissions that rely on partial implementation, manual workarounds, or unsupported claims of capability will not be regarded as meeting regulatory expectations.
COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
CBN AML BASELINE STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP TEMPLATE
General Instruction
Table of Contents
SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (MANDATORY) SECTION 2: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY SECTION 3: BASELINE STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (CORE SECTION) SECTION 4: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE TRANSITION SECTION 5: DATA INTEGRATION PLAN SECTION 6: GOVERNANCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN SECTION 7: EFFECTIVENESS BUILD PLAN SECTION 8: DEPENDENCIES & RISKS SECTION 9: IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE. SECTION 10: RESOURCE PLAN SECTION 11: BOARD / SENIOR MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT.. SECTION 12: DECLARATION
SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (MANDATORY)
1.1 Current AML Setup
Indicate current state:
Provide brief description (max 3–4 lines)
1.2 Target State
Provide a concise description of the intended AML solution, including:
1.3 Implementation Approach
Select one:
Provide brief justification (max 3–4 lines)
1.4 Key Gaps Identified
List the top 5 gaps preventing full compliance:
Gap Impact Priority (High/Medium/Low)
1.5 Target Completion Timeline
1.6 Overall Implementation Owner
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 2: IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Q1. What is your implementation approach?
Select one:
Q2. Justification for chosen approach
Guidance for Response (Mandatory Considerations)
The justification for the chosen implementation approach should, at a minimum, address the following:
Responses should be specific to the institution's environment and not rely solely on vendor representations.
Q3. Implementation Feasibility and Delivery Commitment (Mandatory)
Provide:
Q4. Additional Requirement for Hybrid Approaches (if selected)
Where a hybrid (overlay + upgrade) approach is selected, institutions must:
Hybrid approaches that do not adequately address underlying control weaknesses or integration gaps may not be accepted.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 3: BASELINE STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (CORE SECTION)
The implementation plan presented in this section must be consistent with the strategies, timelines, and outcomes described in other sections of this document.
Financial institutions must ensure that all sub-requirements and expectations under each heading in Section 5.1 of the Baseline Standards are fully considered. Responses should not be limited to the headings listed below.
All fields in the table below must be completed. Blank or incomplete responses will be treated as non-compliance.
Status (select one only):
Where "Partially Implemented” or “Not Applicable” is selected, a detailed justification must be provided.
Instructions
Where Current State differs from Target State, this must be clearly reflected in the Action Required column.
Where "Yes" is selected, supporting evidence must be available for supervisory review. Where “No” is selected, the requirement will be treated as not evidenced.
Table Structure for Section 3 (Baseline Requirements):
Key Baseline Requirements (rows in the table):
Mandatory Confirmation
Confirm that all requirements under Section 5.1 of the Baseline Standards have been fully addressed in this table (Y/N).
If No, provide details of any omissions.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 4: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE TRANSITION
4.1 Current Architecture (Mandatory)
Provide a concise but specific summary of the current AML system architecture, including:
Attach architecture diagram (mandatory).
4.2 Target Architecture (Mandatory)
Provide a clear description of the target AML system architecture, including:
Attach target architecture diagram (mandatory).
4.3 Integration Plan (Mandatory)
Provide a structured plan for system integration:
Table Structure for Integration Plan:
Include, at a minimum:
Supporting evidence of integration (e.g. system interfaces, data flows, or sample outputs) must be available for supervisory review.
4.4 Data Lineage and Flow (Mandatory)
Describe how data flows through the AML system from:
Provide at least one example demonstrating end-to-end data flow (evidence to be made available for supervisory review).
4.5 Implementation Sequencing
Provide clear sequencing of implementation phases, including:
Generic descriptions (e.g. “phased implementation") are not sufficient.
4.6 Expected Outcome
Explain how the target architecture will:
4.7 Overlay / Hybrid Architecture (if applicable)
Indicate whether the target architecture relies on overlay solutions.
Where applicable, institutions must:
Overlay approaches that do not adequately address underlying control weaknesses or integration gaps may not be accepted.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 5: DATA INTEGRATION PLAN
5.1 Overview (Mandatory)
Provide a summary of all data sources required to support AML/CFT/CPF activities.
Financial institutions must ensure that all relevant data sources are identified and included. Partial or selective integration will not meet regulatory expectations.
Table Structure for Data Integration Plan:
5.2 Minimum Data Sources (must be included)
At a minimum, the following must be addressed:
5.3 Integration Requirements
For each data source, institutions must:
Manual or delayed integration must be clearly justified.
5.4 Data Quality and Completeness
Explain how the institution ensures:
5.5 Evidence Requirement
Where "Evidence Available (Y/N)” is marked as Yes, supporting evidence (e.g. system interfaces, data extracts, or sample outputs) must be available for supervisory review.
Where No, the data integration will be treated as not evidenced.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 6: GOVERNANCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
6.1 This section should describe how governance will be established or enhanced to support the AML solution.
Table Structure for Governance Implementation Plan:
6.2 Minimum Governance Elements (must be addressed)
At a minimum, the following must be included:
6.3 Governance Effectiveness
Explain how governance will ensure:
Supporting evidence must be available for supervisory review.
Where evidence is not available, governance will be treated as not established.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 7: EFFECTIVENESS BUILD PLAN
This section should demonstrate how the institution will achieve measurable improvements in AML/CFT/CPF effectiveness.
Where target values are not achieved within stated timelines, institutions may be required to provide justification and remediation plans.
7.1 Effectiveness Improvement Table (Mandatory)
Table Structure for Effectiveness Improvement:
Current Value:
Provide the institution's current, measured performance for each metric based on available data.
Target Value:
Provide the expected performance following implementation of the AML solution. Targets must be realistic, measurable, and aligned with the institution's risk profile.
Where current values are not available, this must be explicitly stated and addressed as part of the implementation plan.
7.2 Minimum Metrics (must be included)
Additional Metrics (if applicable)
Metrics should be clearly defined and consistently measured. Institutions should specify how each metric is calculated.
7.3 Detection Capability
Explain how the proposed solution will:
7.4 Validation of Effectiveness
Explain how effectiveness will be assessed, including:
Statements of expected improvement must be supported by measurable targets. Unquantified claims will not be considered sufficient.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 8: DEPENDENCIES & RISKS
8.1 Dependencies (Mandatory)
Identify key dependencies required for implementation:
Table Structure for Dependencies:
Examples may include:
8.2 Implementation Risks (Mandatory)
Table Structure for Implementation Risks:
8.3 Critical Risks
Identify any risks that could significantly delay or prevent implementation within the required timeline.
Failure to adequately identify and manage dependencies and risks may result in delays that will not be considered acceptable from a supervisory perspective.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 9: IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
This section must present a clear, structured timeline for implementation of all activities outlined in this plan.
9.1 Implementation Timeline (Mandatory)
Table Structure for Implementation Timeline:
9.2 Requirements
The timeline must include:
Narrative descriptions are not sufficient. A structured timeline must be provided.
9.3 Critical Deadlines
Identify:
Timelines must be realistic and aligned with the regulatory submission deadline.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 10: RESOURCE PLAN
10.1 Internal Resources (Mandatory)
Table Structure for Internal Resources:
10.2 Vendor Involvement (Mandatory, if applicable)
Table Structure for Vendor Involvement:
10.3 Resource Adequacy
Explain whether the institution has sufficient:
to deliver the implementation plan.
10.4 Budget (Optional)
Provide high-level indication of budget allocation (if available).
Insufficient resourcing may impact the feasibility of the implementation plan and will be considered during supervisory review.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 11: BOARD / SENIOR MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT
11.1 Accountability (Mandatory)
11.2 Oversight Structure
Describe:
11.3 Reporting
Specify:
Implementation plans must be subject to active oversight by senior management and/or the Board.
Guidance for Completion
SECTION 12: DECLARATION
We confirm that this implementation plan:
Authorisation
The Central Bank may take supervisory action where information provided is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.
Guidance for Completion
This template should be read together with the Baseline Standards and the Guidance Note on the Implementation of the Baseline Standards. The Guidance Note provides clarification and does not replace or supersede the requirements set out in the Baseline Standards.