Control Risks

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology-enabled tools have transformed how compliance leaders navigate regulatory obligations, far beyond the capacity of legacy systems. When used well, AI capabilities enable early risk detection, inspiring confident decision-making. But without a clear strategy, AI use invites incredible risks into the room.  Join Control Risks' Principal, John Kim in conversation with Matt Reeder, Head of Legal at Bluesky Social, on effectively implementing and improving AI-driven compliance programmes, with a focus on three essential pillars: people, priorities and processes.

Multilateral development banks (MDBs) play a crucial role in global development, but when misconduct arises in MDB-financed projects, the consequences can be serious. From fraud and corruption to workplace misconduct, these institutions conduct rigorous investigations that can lead to public sanctions and long-term reputational damage. For companies operating in high-risk environments, understanding the MDB investigative process is essential. Join host Jon Preston in conversation with experts Sârra-Tilila Bounfour and Joyce Nkini-Iwisi as they unpack the lifecycle of MDB external investigations. They explore how cases are triggered, what companies can expect during field missions, and the importance of cooperation and compliance. With insights from both the investigative and advisory sides, this episode offers practical guidance for navigating MDB scrutiny and strengthening internal controls. Find out more.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are high-stakes ventures, and in today’s volatile geopolitical and regulatory environment, the risks of fraud, corruption and financial crime are more pressing than ever. As dealmakers navigate complex cross-border transactions, the need for robust compliance frameworks and proactive due diligence has never been greater. Join host Martin Tornberg in conversation with experts Hannah Harrison and Oleg Kozlov as they examine the evolving landscape of M&A fraud risk. They discuss the implications of the UK’s new failure to prevent fraud offence, the challenges of post-deal integration, and how companies can protect themselves from liability through enhanced due diligence and compliance planning. Find out more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed eDiscovery, from early structured analytics and keyword filtering to the sophisticated use of large language models. As legal teams face growing data volumes and tighter deadlines, AI offers powerful tools for early case assessment, multilingual document review and even bespoke investigative workflows. Professionals in eDiscovery, whose work is routinely submitted to regulators and courts, must be careful when using AI in their practice. Join host Sushmit Bhattacharya in conversation with experts Maggie Burtoft and Stuart Hall as they explore the evolution of AI in eDiscovery. They discuss the shift from traditional technology-assisted review (TAR) to generative AI, the benefits of custom-built solutions and how to address client concerns around cost, accuracy and hallucinations. Find out more.

India’s complex regulatory landscape presents significant challenges for businesses navigating anti-bribery enforcement, compliance frameworks, and evolving data privacy concerns. With shifts in global regulatory priorities — such as changes in US FCPA enforcement and the growing influence of the UK Bribery Act — companies must stay proactive in risk management. As technology, including AI and machine learning, reshapes investigations, organisations need robust compliance programmes to mitigate fraud, money laundering, and corruption risks in an evolving enforcement environment.  Join host Brian Mich as he speaks with forensic expert Sushmit Bhattacharya about the intricacies of compliance and investigations in India. They discuss the impact of shifting global anti-corruption policies, the role of AI in forensic analysis, and how businesses can strengthen governance in the face of increasing regulatory scrutiny. From navigating FCPA and UK Bribery Act enforcement to handling emerging risks in data collection

In the weeks following his inauguration, Donald Trump has already made a series of bold foreign policy moves. What does a second Trump presidency mean for the international order and global business?  Join Partner Claudine Fry for a discussion with Jonathan Wood, a Principal based in our DC office, and Barnaby Fletcher, a Principal based in our New York office. They investigate the key drivers behind the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy as well as tariffs, trade wars, the future of multilateralism, and the outlook for foreign aid. Find out more.

Donald Trump has returned as the 47th President of the United States. African countries are anxious to see what his second term may mean for the continent.   Join Vincent Rouget for a conversation with Patricia Rodrigues, a Director on our Africa team, and Barnaby Fletcher, who leads our Political and Country Risk analysis in North America, for a discussion about how US policy has evolved regarding the continent and Trump’s priorities in this context, what kind of partnerships African countries can expect to have with the US under Trump, and how the presence of South African-born Elon Musk could impact the incoming administration’s stance towards the continent. Find out more.

Martina Rozumberkova for a discussion with Principal Regina Zhou about the evolving regulatory environment and the challenges of operating in China. They explore key lessons from high-profile investigations, the strategic importance of robust compliance frameworks, and recent regulatory reforms, like data transfer regulations and foreign investment in medical innovations — as well as new opportunities, despite the complexities of the landscape. Find out more.

Opposition candidate John Mahama will return as Ghana’s President following his recent electoral victory. This is a massive comeback for Mahama, who left a shaky legacy. What can we expect from his upcoming administration?  Join Vincent Rouget for a discussion with Control Risks experts Mikolaj Judson and Omobolade Olagunju about why the results turned out the way they did and how Mahama might reboot Ghana's economy.  Find out how we can support your organisation.

Africa is experiencing a wave of fintech innovation. What are the current risks and opportunities?  Join Rolake Oladapo, Senior Consultant in our Investigations and Forensic Accounting practice, for a conversation with Joseph Eimunjeze, Partner at Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, and Lindelwa Mngomezulu, General Manager at COSEC, as they explore the impact of fintech on financial inclusion and economic development across the continent.  Find out more.

The incoming Trump administration promises sweeping changes to technology policy, trade dynamics and cyber security strategies.  Join Control Risks experts Nicolas Reys and Barnaby Fletcher for a discussion about what lies ahead for technology and cyber security under Trump, from regulatory fragmentation and trade restrictions to the challenges of navigating a tech landscape increasingly shaped by geopolitics. Find out more.

In this two-part episode, take a deep dive into two southern African countries, South Africa and Mozambique. South Africa’s new government of national unity (GNU) has now reached its first one hundred days in office, a good time to take stock of what the coalition has achieved so far. And in Mozambique significant turbulence has surrounded the victory of Daniel Chapo, the ruling Frelimo party’s candidate, in recent elections.   Join Vincent Rouget for a conversation with Michael Bongani Reinders and Nkosiyapha Moyo, two Control Risks experts in Johannesburg, Tristan Gueret, one of our experts in Paris, and Mohamed Cassimjee, former diplomat who served in the South African Service and current Research Fellow at Oxford University. They unpack the post-election challenges of South Africa and Mozambique and what businesses and investors should know.   Find out more.

Mental health is key part of overall well-being. This is true in both our personal and professional lives. For women, unique social, biological and cultural factors influence mental health in distinct ways, particularly in the workplace.  Join Kanupriya Jain, a director in our Compliance, Investigations and Forensics practice, for a conversation with Janine Mallis, a Senior Associate in the Disputes team at Herbert Smith Freehills in Dubai, and Alexandra Lester, a Commercial Dispute Resolution Partner with Clyde & Co in Dubai. They dive into a few specific issues around women’s mental wellbeing, the challenges women typically face, the progress that has been made, and what still needs to be done to create a healthier, more supportive work environments for women everywhere. Find out more.

As election day in the US approaches, fragmented information spheres, disinformation and geopolitics loom, supercharged by emerging technologies, from AI to deepfakes.    Join Control Risks experts Nicolas Reys and Barnaby Fletcher as they explore how generative AI, large-scale misinformation and disinformation, and digital threats are shaping the electoral landscape. From conspiracies to subtle narrative shifts, they discuss the evolving tactics of threat actors and the implications for businesses, governments and voters in this high-stakes digital era. Find out more.

How might the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) change depending on the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election?   Join Jerry Fowler, a director who leads our CFIUS and National Security practice in Washington, DC, for a conversation with James Brower, a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Litigation Department. They discuss how CFIUS operated during former President Donald Trump’s first term, how it has functioned under the Biden-Harris administration, and how businesses and investors can prepare for what CFIUS might look like post-election.   Find out how we an support your organisation with risks related to CFIUS

The Africa Risk-Reward Index – produced jointly by Control Risks and Oxford Economics Africa – is an authoritative guide for policymakers, business leaders and investors that illustrates the evolution of the investment landscape in major African markets, and provides a grounded, longer-term outlook of key trends shaping investment in these economies.    Africa's outlook in 2024 is promising. But understanding the nuanced market dynamics and adopting a long-term perspective will be essential for stakeholders – from policymakers and investors to development agencies and civil society – as they navigate the evolving landscape to successful investment outcomes in 2024 and beyond. For African countries and investors looking to invest or grow their business in Africa, the time is now.   Join Patricia Rodrigues, Associate Director Africa, for a discussion about the Index with Control Risks Analysts Tristan Gueret, Trevor Kibet Langat and Mikolaj Judson, and Oxford Economics Senior Economist Jee-A Van Der Linde.

India is an important market for many multinational pharmaceutical, biotech or medical device companies. But it is also a challenging one. Join Martina Rozumberkova for a conversation with Sushmit Bhattacharya about challenges facing multinational pharmaceutical companies operating in India, from important regulatory changes, including the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024, to emerging fraud schemes, including fraud in the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and retailer incentive schemes.

In the past few weeks, we have seen a tectonic shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina – who ruled for the last 15 years with what some describe as an Iron Fist, particularly against the opposition – resigned and fled the country in early August following weeks of unrest, which began as student-led demonstrations against job quotas and grew into a nationwide movement that resulted in significant violence.   Now, Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus is stepping in to lead a caretaker government amid a volatile economic climate, following last year's IMF bailout.   Angela Mancini, Partner, and Aryaman Bhatnagar, Senior Analyst, delves into the implications for Bangladesh's political future and and its business environment.

In the past few weeks, Thailand has undergone a dramatic political transition with the appointment of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new prime minister. This development comes on the heels of a period of uncertainty and political turmoil following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, the main opposition. Paetongtarn is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to assume the role of prime minister and is under intense scrutiny. Many wonder whether she can navigate the political landscape without meeting the same fate as her predecessors, who were ousted by either the courts or the military. In this episode, Angela Mancini, Partner, sits down with Harrison Cheng, Director and lead Southeast Asia analyst, to unpack what Paetongtarn’s rise to power means for Thailand's future. They discuss the critical next steps, including the formation of a new cabinet and strategies she might use to avoid the pitfalls that have historically plagued her family. They also discuss the potential impact of Paetongtarn’s leade

On 15 March 2024, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was released from prison after nearly a year in detention. Less than three weeks later, he was officially inaugurated as Senegal’s fifth president since independence, winning a resounding victory in the presidential election. His party promised sweeping changes to Senegal’s politics and economy.   Join Vincent Rouget for a conversation with Control Risks’ experts in Dakar, Susanna Eusebi and Renna Hawili, as they discuss what to make of the first 100 days in office of Faye’s new government.