Also known as: FATF · Financial Action Task Force greylist
International organization that monitors anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, from which Namibia was removed in June 2026 after addressing 13 strategic deficiencies.
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February 2026
New Era
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)put Namibia onthe grey list
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“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).”
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)said that Namibia has completedits action plan containing 13 strategic deficiencies in AML/CFT framework
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“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.”
Financial Action Task Forcerequires countries to maintain accurate, up-to-date and accessible beneficial ownership information to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crimesaccurate, up-to-date and accessible beneficial ownership information
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“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.”
Financial Action Task Force (FATF)saidNamibia has completed its action plan containing 13 strategic deficiencies
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“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.”
Financial Action Task Forceremoved South Africa fromits greylist in October 2025
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“South Africa exited the Financial Action Task Force greylist in October 2025, easing a key reputational and compliance overhang for cross-border financial flows”
Financial Action Task Forcemonitorsrisks of money laundering and terrorist financing
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“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.”
Financial Action Task ForceplacedNamibia on the 'greylist' in February
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“Despite steady progress during a 12-month observation period, in February the Financial Action Task Force placed Namibia on the 'greylist' of countries under increased monitoring.”
Financial Action Task Forceis aglobal inter-governmental watchdog on money-laundering and terrorism financing
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“Measures against unexplained wealth are only now surfacing in parliament seemingly because Namibian politicians and bureaucrats have belatedly realised the danger of the country being "greylisted" by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global inter-governmental watchdog on money-laundering and terrorism financing.”
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.
Why it matters
Namibia's removal from FATF grey list after major financial reforms strengthens investor confidence and global economic integration prospects.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.