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Who We Are &
What Drives Us
Our Story
Founded in 2009
The African Standards, Trade & Investment Accreditation Commission (ASTIAC) was established in 2009 by a group of trade compliance practitioners and economic governance specialists who identified a practical gap in the market: there was no independent, accessible body capable of certifying the compliance and integrity of small and mid-market entities engaged in cross-border trade - particularly those operating in and from emerging economies.
Starting from its first cohort of accredited entities in East Africa, ASTIAC has grown steadily into a globally active accreditation body serving clients across 87 countries. Our certificates are underpinned by AML/CTF due diligence aligned with FATF recommendations and carry a digitally verifiable record - giving holders a portable, trusted credential recognised by banks, development finance institutions, and government trade agencies.
Today, ASTIAC operates from its headquarters in Nairobi with supporting offices across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Gulf. We remain guided by the conviction that verified integrity should not be the exclusive preserve of large multinationals - every entity that meets the standard deserves the means to demonstrate it.
Our Mission
Making Verified Integrity Accessible
To provide rigorous, independent accreditation that enables entities of every size and geography to demonstrate their compliance, governance, and operational integrity to international partners - removing friction from cross-border commerce and development finance.
Our Vision
A More Trusted Global Marketplace
A world where accreditation is not a privilege of scale - where any entity that meets robust compliance and governance standards can hold a credential that partners, banks, and institutions recognise and respect, regardless of where that entity is headquartered.
Governance
Leadership Team
ASTIAC is guided by practitioners with hands-on experience in trade compliance, financial regulation, and accreditation across emerging and established markets.
Prof. Samuel Miller
CEO & Founder
Founded ASTIAC in 2009 with a vision to make rigorous trade accreditation accessible to entities of every scale. Over 28 years of experience in international commerce and regulatory governance.
Dr. Erick Wright
Director General
PhD in International Trade Law and Policy. Leads ASTIAC's strategic operations and international partnerships, with a background in multilateral trade frameworks and cross-border regulatory harmonisation.
Mr. Brian Mutua
Chief Compliance Officer
Specialist in AML/CTF enforcement, sanctions compliance, and beneficial ownership structures. Oversees ASTIAC's due diligence standards and ensures alignment with FATF recommendations.
Ms. Catherine Mackenzie
Head of Accreditation Standards
ISO 17011-certified assessor with extensive experience in conformity assessment and certification body management. Leads the development and integrity of ASTIAC's accreditation framework.
87
Countries
8,900+
Certificates
80+
Staff
16
Years
99.4%
Compliance Rate
Ready to Apply for Accreditation?
Join thousands of entities across 87 countries that have chosen ASTIAC to certify their compliance and credibility.