In a pivotal advancement for Africa’s financial sector, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has delisted South Africa, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso from its “grey list” of nations under increased scrutiny for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing deficiencies. This decision, announced on October 24, 2025, comes after thorough evaluations and on-site visits that demonstrated significant progress in rectifying earlier identified issues.
South Africa, which was placed on the grey list in February 2023, has enacted comprehensive reforms to bolster its financial crime prevention measures. Key legislative amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, the Companies Act, and the Trust Property Control Act have improved transparency regarding beneficial ownership and expanded the definition of politically exposed persons. By early 2025, South Africa had successfully tackled 20 of the 22 action items specified in its FATF action plan, leading to its removal from the list.
Similarly, Nigeria, also added to the grey list in February 2023, has made notable progress in enhancing its anti-money laundering initiatives. Efforts have included better inter-agency collaboration, increased transparency in beneficial ownership, and improved oversight of financial institutions. These advancements contributed to Nigeria’s delisting, as confirmed by FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo.
The removal of these countries signals a positive shift for the continent, showcasing a unified commitment to fighting financial crimes and strengthening global financial integrity. FATF President Madrazo described this as “a positive story for the continent,” emphasizing the success in overcoming strategic weaknesses in their anti-money laundering frameworks. This outcome is expected to boost investor confidence and enhance access to global banking relationships, underscoring the vital role of sustained reforms and international collaboration in reinforcing financial systems.
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