Namibia Minute.
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 6 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Financial Action Task Force

Also known as: FATF · Financial Action Task Force greylist

International organization that monitors anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks; removed Namibia from its grey list in June 2026.

2023-07-022026-10-06

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2026
  2. Windhoek Observer

    Financial Action Task Force identified 13 deficiencies that Namibia addressed

    Source

    “The country addressed all 13 deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force after submitting its fourth progress report in November 2025.”

    Financial system remains stable despite global uncertainty
  3. February 2026
  4. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force greylisted Namibia in February 2024

    Source

    “Namibia was greylisted by the FATF in February 2024 after the country was found to have 13 strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework.”

    Namibia on track to exit greylist
  5. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force accepted that Namibia has remedied all deficiencies

    Source

    “Financial Intelligence Centre director Bryan Eiseb says the FATF accepted that Namibia has remedied all deficiencies.”

    Namibia on track to exit greylist
  6. New Era

    Financial Action Task Force (FATF) put Namibia on the grey list

    Source

    “with the on-site inspection in April set to determine whether the country finally exits the grey list it was put on by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).”

    Namibia’s grey list exit hinges on April assessment
  7. Informanté

    Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said that Namibia has completed its action plan containing 13 strategic deficiencies in AML/CFT framework

    Source

    “THE Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has said that Namibia has completed its action plan that contained 13 strategic deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) framework.”

    Namibia completes reforms highlighted under money laundering, tourism funding review
  8. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force requires countries to maintain accurate, up-to-date and accessible beneficial ownership information to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimes accurate, up-to-date and accessible beneficial ownership information

    Source

    “Low compliance levels pose serious regulatory and reputational risks for Namibia, particularly in relation to Financial Action Task Force standards, which require countries to maintain accurate, up-to-date and accessible beneficial ownership information to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimes.”

    Sustaining Business Legitimacy in Namibia
  9. Informanté

    Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said Namibia has completed its action plan containing 13 strategic deficiencies

    Source

    “THE Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has said that Namibia has completed its action plan that contained 13 strategic deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) framework.”

    Namibia completes reforms highlighted under money laundering, tourism funding review
  10. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force removed South Africa from its greylist in October 2025

    Source

    “South Africa exited the Financial Action Task Force greylist in October 2025, easing a key reputational and compliance overhang for cross-border financial flows”

    Namibia in Numbers
  11. December 2025
  12. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force monitors risks of money laundering and terrorist financing

    Source

    “This period of legislative activity was nudged forward by the 13 laws passed in short order in 2023 in an effort to stave off the grey-listing of Namibia by the Financial Action Task Force that monitors the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.”

    Law Reform in Namibia: Is it slowing down?
  13. August 2024
  14. The Namibian

    Financial Action Task Force greylisted Namibia

    Source

    “The Financial Action Task Force greylisted the country, with 72 recommended measures to be taken in a year.”

    Namibia makes progress after greylisting
Opinion

Fishrot's reputational cost extends beyond stolen funds

The News

A Namibian editorial examines the broader economic damage of the Fishrot scandal beyond direct theft, arguing that Namibia's greylisting and subsequent banking restrictions have hindered Namibian digital creators' access to international payment platforms and monetisation systems.

2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 2 October

  1. Fishrot's reputational cost extends beyond stolen funds

    A Namibian editorial examines the broader economic damage of the Fishrot scandal beyond direct theft, arguing that Namibia's greylisting and subsequent banking restrictions have hindered Namibian digital creators' access to international payment platforms and monetisation systems.

    2 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Zenobia Barry appointed acting FIC director from October

    The Financial Intelligence Centre has appointed Zenobia Barry as its acting director effective 1 October, following Bryan Eiseb's reassignment to director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission. Barry, currently general manager responsible for legal, policy and enforcement, brings 31 years of professional experience and expertise in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

    3 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 4 August

  1. Namibia ranks second globally for greenfield foreign direct investment

    Namibia has retained its position as Africa's leading destination for greenfield FDI, ranking second globally in the 2026 fDi Intelligence Greenfield FDI Performance Index with a score of 7.74, driven by major energy discoveries, renewable energy opportunities, and an improving business environment.

    4 August 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 9 July

  1. EU to remove Namibia from financial crime monitoring list by year-end

    Following Namibia's removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in June, the EU has initiated an internal legislative procedure expected to result in Namibia's removal from the EU's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) list by the end of the year, subject to a European Parliament vote. The EU clarified that its financial crime monitoring jurisdiction list does not constitute sanctions or restrictions on trade, investment, or development cooperation.

    9 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 8 July

  1. EU congratulates Namibia on removal from FATF grey list

    The European Union congratulated Namibia on its removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in June 2026, recognising progress in strengthening the country's financial system. The EU supported Namibia's implementation of the FATF Action Plan through capacity building to over 150 officials across law enforcement and justice institutions.

    8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 3 July

  1. Namibia targets N$168 billion exports by 2030, seeks Poland partnerships

    Namibia aims to increase exports from N$102 billion to over N$168 billion by 2030 through value addition, foreign direct investment, and industrialisation, International Relations Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi told Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski during bilateral talks in the capital on Wednesday.

    3 July 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Namibia and Poland agree to deepen bilateral economic cooperation

    Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Trade and Poland's Deputy Prime Minister agreed on 30 June 2026 to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and economic development, with both countries identifying opportunities in green industrialisation, renewable energy, mining, aviation and agriculture.

    2 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Namibia exits FATF grey list after major financial reforms

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as of 19 June 2026, following the amendment of nine laws and enactment of four new pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. The government hailed the removal as a turning point for investor confidence and integration into the global financial system.

    24 June 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia exits FATF grey list, strengthening financial system confidence

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, effective 19 June 2026. Finance minister Ericah Shafudah said the exit reflects political commitment and institutional coordination on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing reforms, while cautioning against complacency.

    24 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 22 June

  1. Namibia's FATF greylist exit boosts business confidence and competitiveness

    Namibia's removal from the Financial Action Task Force greylist in June 2026 signals restored confidence in the financial ecosystem and reduces barriers faced by entrepreneurs, including increased scrutiny, higher transaction costs, and delays in cross-border payments that affected international business dealings.

    22 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 20 June

  1. IPC urges public access to beneficial ownership data post-greylist exit

    The Independent Patriots for Change says Namibia must make beneficial ownership information public following the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's greylist. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete states that while Namibia corrected gaps in beneficial ownership transparency to exit the greylist, the register remains effectively closed to journalists and the public through the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.

    20 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia removed from FATF grey list following reforms

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list after successfully implementing reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. The country was initially grey-listed in February 2024 with 13 identified deficiencies, which it addressed ahead of a May 2026 deadline.

    20 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 19 June

  1. Namibia removed from Financial Action Task Force greylist

    The Financial Action Task Force has removed Namibia from its greylist after successfully addressing all 13 strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks, two years after being greylisted in February 2024.

    19 June 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia removed from FATF Grey List after compliance improvements

    Namibia has been removed from the Financial Action Task Force Grey List after successfully addressing strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. The decision, announced at the FATF Plenary in Paris in June 2026, follows Namibia's completion of all actions in its agreed action plan since being placed on the list in February 2024.

    19 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 5 May

  1. Namibia's financial system stable despite global risks

    The Bank of Namibia and Namfisa's April 2026 Financial Stability Report found the financial system remained stable in 2025, though external shocks, cyber threats and closer ties between government and the financial sector pose ongoing risks. The banking sector showed strong capital and liquidity, with the non-performing loan ratio declining to 4.3%, and Namibia addressed all 13 anti-money laundering deficiencies identified by the Financial Action Task Force.

    5 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 6 March

  1. Namibia intensifies anti-money laundering reforms to exit FATF greylist

    Namibia is strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework with European Union support, with the Financial Intelligence Centre launching a national risk assessment workshop as part of efforts to exit the FATF greylist and prepare for international evaluation.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Parliament members raise questions on judiciary, trade, agriculture, drugs, tariffs

    Several Namibian lawmakers have given notice of parliamentary questions on pressing national issues: judicial understaffing and magistrate workload; the country's grey listing status and oil sector regulatory violations; support needed for dairy and poultry sectors amid production gains; drug use and rehabilitation services in schools; and electricity tariff methodology and consumer protection measures.

    18 February 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Namibia completes AML/CFT reforms to exit FATF greylist

    Namibia has met all requirements to exit the Financial Action Task Force greylist following a plenary meeting in February, with the FATF accepting that the country has remedied all 13 deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. An on-site assessment is scheduled for April, with results to be presented at the June FATF meeting.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. April on-site inspection to determine Namibia's FATF grey list exit

    Namibia's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's grey list depends on an on-site inspection scheduled for April 2026 to verify that financial sector reforms are embedded and operational. The FIC says all 13 strategic deficiencies in Namibia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework have been remedied, with the Africa Joint Group's assessment to determine whether these reforms are effectively implemented in practice.

    17 February 2026 · New Era →

  3. Namibia completes anti-money laundering reforms, faces on-site assessment

    The Financial Action Task Force accepted that Namibia has substantially completed its 13-point action plan to address strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework ahead of the May 2026 deadline. The country will now undergo an on-site assessment by the Africa Joint Group to verify implementation of the reforms, the final step toward exiting the grey list.

    17 February 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Only 45% of Namibian businesses comply with statutory obligations

    The Namibian Corporate Governance Framework requires registered businesses to maintain continuous compliance including beneficial ownership declarations and annual financial submissions, yet only 45% of the 242,417 active entities on the business register meet these obligations as of 3Q2025/26. Low compliance levels pose risks to Namibia's reputation internationally and may expose the country to enhanced Financial Action Task Force monitoring for failing to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 16 February

  1. Namibia completes anti-money laundering reforms, heads to on-site assessment

    The Financial Action Task Force has accepted that Namibia has substantially completed its action plan addressing 13 strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, with reforms including enhanced supervision, beneficial ownership tracking, and improved law enforcement coordination. The country now faces an on-site assessment by the Africa Joint Group to verify full implementation before potentially exiting the FATF grey list.

    16 February 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Namibian dollar strengthens against US dollar in early 2026

    The Namibian dollar has remained relatively firm in early 2026, supported by commodity prices and global risk sentiment, continuing 2025's trend when the rand and Namibia dollar achieved their strongest annual gain since 2009, driven by a softer US dollar and strong precious metals prices.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Financial Action Task Force — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute