RISK MITIGATION & ANTI-FRAUD

Challenges

Ensuring the integrity of financial flows is a cornerstone of effective international development cooperation. Yet, in complex operational environments - particularly in fragile and high-risk contexts - managing financial risks and preventing fraud pose significant challenges:

• Weak internal controls: Many implementing organisations lack formal systems for internal oversight, increasing the risk of misuse of funds, errors, and fraud.
• Donor visibility gaps: Donors often struggle to gain real-time insight into fund utilisation, especially when working through multiple layers of sub-recipients or in decentralised settings.
• Fraud and corruption risks: Without preventive systems, projects are vulnerable to procurement manipulation, false reporting, or collusion, all of which undermine trust and outcomes.
• Limited risk culture: In many organisations, risk management is reactive rather than proactive, and anti-fraud measures are seen as punitive rather than protective.
• Operational fragility: In environments affected by conflict, displacement, or political instability, oversight becomes even more difficult - and more critical.

GFA concept and services

At GFA’s Public Finance Management (PFM) Department, we offer proactive risk mitigation and anti-fraud services that safeguard the financial integrity of development projects. Our support helps donors and implementing partners anticipate, detect, and respond to financial risks before they become systemic issues.

RISK MITIGATION SYSTEMS

• Development of tailored risk management frameworks for donor-financed projects and national systems
• Identification of financial and operational risks through systematic assessments
• Establishment of internal control systems, including segregation of duties, approval chains, and real-time reporting
• Implementation of risk registers and escalation mechanisms

ANTI-FRAUD MECHANISMS

• Design of fraud prevention strategies and awareness raising tools
• Creation of reporting channels, whistle blower protection, and investigative protocols
• Support for due diligence processes, including verification of expenditures, procurement audits, and site visits
• Development of early warning indicators and anomaly detection systems

© Duncan_Andison | istock CAPACITY STRENGTHENING AND INTEGRATION

• Training of public institutions, NGOs, and fund managers in risk governance and anti-fraud standards
• Integration of anti-fraud systems with financial management and programme monitoring
• Assistance in aligning client operations with donor compliance frameworks and international best practices

RESULTS AND EXPERIENCE

In countries such as Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Namibia, GFA has embedded risk mitigation and anti-fraud mechanisms within fiscal agent and assurance provider roles, overseeing over 13 billion euros in donor funds. Our interventions have led to:

• Detection and prevention of fraudulent disbursements
• Strengthened financial controls and operational resilience in challenging settings
• Enhanced compliance with Global Fund, GAVI, and MCC fiduciary standards

Our experience shows that early, well-structured risk management saves resources, protects reputations, and enables smoother project implementation.

WHY GFA?

• Proven expertise in designing and operationalising risk control systems
• In-depth experience in high-risk and fragile environments
• Preventive, solution-oriented approaches foster transparency instead of mistrust
• Strong integration of risk mitigation with overall fund management, procurement, and audit services

GFA stands for reliable financial stewardship. Our anti-fraud and risk mitigation services are not just about compliance - they are about protecting development investments, building trust with stakeholders, and delivering lasting impact.

Contact

Simon Ansel
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: simon.ansel[at]gfa-group.de





Louis Leca
Portfolio Manager
E-mail: louis.leca[at]gfa-group.de

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