Dun & Bradstreet updates supplier platform with compliance tools and artificial intelligence

Dun & Bradstreet South Asia, Middle East and Africa (D&B SAME) is set to launch an updated version of its supplier onboarding platform, Vend-R, as the global data and analytics company looks to help companies strengthen risk management and third-party compliance.

The new platform goes beyond supplier onboarding to provide organizations with a single system for managing a broader network of third-party relationships, including suppliers, contractors and other business partners.

According to a statement released by the company on Wednesday, Partn-R introduces new automation and verification tools, including AI-assisted onboarding, customizable Know Your Customer (KYC) questionnaires, real-time monitoring dashboards and access to a marketplace of pre-verified suppliers.

Future updates will also incorporate compliance screening capabilities regarding Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), sanctions lists, watchlists and adverse media checks, aimed at helping companies meet increasingly stringent regulatory and due diligence requirements.

The platform also includes a self-service portal that allows providers to manage registrations, track request status, and connect with multiple organizations through a single interface.

“Partn-R represents the next phase in how companies build trusted business relationships,” said Chijioke Agusi, sales manager for risk management solutions at D&B Nigeria. “We are building a platform that reduces friction and improves transparency, enabling organizations to manage third-party relationships more securely and at scale.”

Partn-R is expected to launch in the coming weeks. The launch comes at a time when companies across Africa are facing increasing pressure to strengthen supply chain resilience, improve supplier due diligence and comply with more stringent anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions and corporate governance requirements.

Companies are increasingly investing in digital tools that automate supplier verification and reduce operational and compliance risks, particularly as they expand across multiple markets.