Often cited as the second-fastest-growing economic region in the world after Asia, Africa and its businesses are interacting more prolifically with global markets, which highlights the need for compliance with global standards and regulations. This creates opportunities for consulting firms to provide expertise in international tax, audit and advisory consulting services, such as those provided by Forvis Mazars.

‘This is a fascinating time in the audit and advisory profession,’ says Anoop Ninan, chair of the Forvis Mazars African Regional Committee and country managing partner – South Africa. ‘We’re seeing major changes globally and across Africa, like private equity transactions involving firms in the US and the exit of Big Four firms from Francophone Africa and countries like Zimbabwe. These shifts are creating opportunities for firms like ours to step up and fill that space with high-quality, seamless services.’

The changing market dynamics are among the reasons that the two global companies Forvis and Mazars announced a partnership last year. This manifested in a joint network that catapulted into the two businesses’ capacity to serve clients in 105 countries, with global fees exceeding US$5 billion, and a professional staff complement of more than 40 000. For businesses in the 26 African countries where the organisation has a presence, this is a massive game-changer, says Ninan.

‘We are able to implement global initiatives quickly while still tailoring those to local needs. Alongside is our African Regional Committee, which includes leaders from North, East, West and Southern Africa, as well as members from our group executive committee. This structure ensures our African operations stay closely aligned to the global strategy but remain agile to meet local client demands.

‘As a result we’ve seen a surge of interest in Forvis Mazars as a credible global alternative for multinational assignments. Our enhanced presence in the US, coupled with our extensive African footprint, positions us as a true global player. Clients appreciate how nimble and responsive we are while still delivering the consistency and scale they expect from a top-tier firm.’

This has been recognised by the International Accounting Bulletin (IAB), which ranked the organisation as the leading firm in Africa for 2025. Much of the recognition received can be attributed to the entrenchment of technology within the business, which as Ninan explains, is central to the Forvis Mazars strategy.

‘In February 2023, we launched an innovation and technology hub in Johannesburg, South Africa – a first of its kind in the African region. This was followed by an innovation and technology hub in Nigeria’s Lagos in April 2024. Over the past year, we’ve rolled out solutions using AI and data analytics to transform how we work internally and how we support clients. Platforms such as Atlas, InControl, Optimize and Signals provide tools that allow clients to manage audits and compliance in real time. This is all part of our commitment to staying ahead of the curve and helping our clients prepare for what’s next.’

What’s next, and current, is that those clients are themselves being encouraged to embrace digital transformation, which is a well-publicised priority for African business leaders. Forvis Mazars has, therefore, invested wisely in understanding the opportunities and risks of this megatrend to ensure that digital tech can enhance value across the entire value chain, including the cyber value chain, in organisations of all sizes.

‘We work alongside our clients on this journey – helping them modernise systems, adopt emerging technologies and build resilience in their operations. Our collaborative, partner-led approach ensures solutions are not just imposed but also co-created, so they work in the real world,’ says Ninan.

This concept is driven home in the Forvis Mazars Digital Evolution by 2028 initiative, seen as a cornerstone of the strategy aimed at shaping the future of business performance as a ‘shared responsibility’.

‘By investing in innovation hubs, AI capabilities and continuous talent development, we’re building a future-ready organisation. For our clients, we want to empower them to unlock performance through digital transformation, advisory services and advanced analytics. Internal proprietary tools, like Atlas and InControl, are providing them with actionable insights and enabling them to align short-term actions with long-term goals.

‘We’re also helping move the industry forward by introducing more competition and choice in public-interest services, which is essential in Africa where clients are seeking credible alternatives,’ says Ninan.

‘Finally, we’re actively engaging with regulators and standard-setters to influence the future of governance and sustainability. Environmental, social, governance [ESG] services like risk assessments and carbon footprint reporting are becoming integral to business performance. This circles back to our brand promise – we are nimble, everywhere our clients need us to be, experienced across industries and trusted to deliver.’

And this level of delivery is not just for clients. Part of Forvis Mazars’ philanthropic efforts within its corporate social investment programme is the Digital Skills Academy in Africa, which is close to Ninan’s heart.

‘This programme, which won an Impact Award at our last global conference, trains unemployed youth in digital skills to make them more employable,’ he says.

‘Another project is our association with the African Eye Institute to provide eye care in marginalised communities, especially [to] school learners.’

In Morocco, after the 2023 earthquake, the company partnered with the non-profit organisation Al Baraka Angels – which aids populations in precarious situations – to provide meaningful support to affected communities through a donation that helped rebuild a school and its boarding facilities. Local children could then continue their education after the destruction of their original school and homes.

‘In Nigeria, we have launched impactful initiatives addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges.

‘One such is Forvis Mazars Nigeria’s collaboration with the Airen Foundation, which helps save the lives of mothers and infants. Here we launched a vital corporate social responsibility initiative to assist in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.’

This initiative provided essential health support, education and supplies to 50 pregnant women, infants and young children in underserved communities, easing the burden on mothers during pregnancy and early childhood, which ensures better outcomes for mother and child.

In addition, Forvis Mazars in Nigeria partnered with Street Kid Africa, a nonprofit organisation, to empower future generations through education. ‘The team visited a school in Makoko, Lagos, delivering school bags, notebooks and writing materials to children who often lack access to even the most basic learning tools,’ says Ninan.

‘Full scholarships covering two academic terms were also awarded to 40 pupils, sparking hope and promoting inclusive learning opportunities for marginalised children in informal communities. These efforts are about making a meaningful difference in locations where we live and work.’

Forvis Mazars is intentional about being where it is needed, grounded as it is on values of integrity, excellence and trust, and more so for its clients, which is why it is investing deeply into Africa markets.

‘It’s exciting to see so many strong opportunities for growth across Africa, particularly in East and West Africa, where there is a growing demand for professional services that meet global standards.

‘By combining our global expertise with deep local African knowledge, we can support organisations of all sizes, from SMEs to large multinational corporations, in navigating complex regulatory environments and achieve sustainable growth,’ says Ninan. Additionally, investment in being directed into developing strong sectoral expertise, as well as technological, scientific and soft skills, which will shape the delivery of future professional services.

‘We’re redefining collaboration and providing the insight to help organisations prepare for their future,’ he says.

‘It is only by working closely with our clients, tailoring our services to meet unique needs and the provision of seamless support across borders that will allow us to expand into new horizons.’

By Kerry Dimmer
Image: Christoph Hoffman