Financial Intelligence Centre — Namibian institution that issues administrative sanctions for anti-money laundering compliance failures and works to strengthen the country's financial system.
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August 2026
The Namibian
Financial Intelligence Centrewas led byBryan Eiseb
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“Eiseb, who led the Financial Intelligence Centre, emphasised that to address these failures, state integrity mechanisms need to focus heavily on proactive prevention rather than relying solely on reactive prosecutions.”
Financial Intelligence Centrecoordinatedsuccessful implementation of FATF Action Plan
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“Martins said that Namibia's delisting from the FATF grey list reflects the successful implementation of the FATF Action Plan through the strong commitment of the Namibian authorities under the coordination of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).”
Financial Intelligence Centreissued342 administrative sanctions and N$19.91 million in penalties
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“The Financial Intelligence Centre has issued 342 administrative sanctions and N$19.91 million in penalties following a 1 300% surge in anti-money laundering compliance failures.”
Bryan Eisebwas appointed as head ofFinancial Intelligence Centre in 2023
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“Eiseb climbed the ladder of power when he was appointed as head of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) in 2023, the country's top financial crime investigative agency in the country.”
Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)ledNational Focal Committee coordinating reforms
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“The reforms were coordinated through the National Focal Committee, led by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), which mobilised government institutions, strengthened governance structures and monitored progress while reporting to both Cabinet and the FATF.”
Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)ledthe National Focal Committee
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“Between July 2024 and November 2025, the National Focal Committee, led by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), submitted one voluntary and four compulsory progress reports to the FATF.”
“The FATF further said that Namibia increased the filing of beneficial ownership information by legal entities, strengthened sanctions for non-compliance, and improved cooperation between the Financial Intelligence Centre and law enforcement agencies.”
Financial Intelligence Centrewas establishedto promote good governance and tackle corruption
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“Ngurare said institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Office of Prosecutor General, the Office of Auditor-General, the Office of the Ombudsman and others have been established for this purpose.”
The FICis coordinating withkey national stakeholders including regulators, law enforcement agencies and supervisory bodies
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“In preparation for the April 2026 assessment, the FIC is coordinating with key national stakeholders, including regulators, law enforcement agencies and supervisory bodies to ensure readiness for the visit.”
Financial Intelligence Centre director Bryan Eiseb says unexplained wealth should be treated as a warning sign of possible corruption and referred to law-enforcement agencies. Eiseb, nominated to succeed Paulus Noa as director general of Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission, argued that stronger anti-money laundering systems and attention to gaps between legitimate income and accumulated assets are key to preventing corruption and protecting public resources.
Financial Intelligence Centre director Bryan Eiseb says unexplained wealth should be treated as a warning sign of possible corruption and referred to law-enforcement agencies. Eiseb, nominated to succeed Paulus Noa as director general of Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission, argued that stronger anti-money laundering systems and attention to gaps between legitimate income and accumulated assets are key to preventing corruption and protecting public resources.
Namibia's new Anti-Corruption Commission director general Bryan Eiseb has prioritized unexplained wealth as a key corruption-fighting tool, arguing that lifestyle audits, asset tracking, and unexplained wealth orders could deter corrupt officials by preventing them from enjoying illegal proceeds.
The National Assembly unanimously approved Bryan Eiseb as director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission while lawmakers across parties warned the institution must pursue corruption without political interference and shed its reputation for allowing politically connected cases to go unpunished.
Wealth Management Solutions, a Windhoek financial advisory firm, has lost at least N$250 million belonging to pensioners and families through risky foreign investments; the owner allegedly paid out clients from other people's accounts to hide losses, and a liquidator estimates total losses could reach N$350 million.
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.
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.
The Financial Intelligence Centre issued 342 administrative sanctions and N$19.91 million in penalties following a 1,300% surge in anti-money laundering compliance failures, up from 25 sanctions the previous year. Institutions including banks, legal practitioners, property agents, and casinos were penalised for failures such as inadequate due diligence on high-risk clients, failure to identify beneficial owners, and failure to report suspicious transactions.
Paulus Noa, who established Namibia's Anti-Corruption Commission from scratch in 2006 and served as its director general for 20 years, is stepping down with Bryan Eiseb nominated as his successor. During his tenure, the ACC processed over 7,500 corruption complaints and expanded to include forensic, intelligence, and anti-money laundering divisions.
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 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.
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.
Commercial crime cases in South Africa have nearly doubled over a decade to 143,600 in 2024/25, becoming the only major crime category besides kidnapping that is growing relentlessly, yet official statistics lack granular breakdowns and institutions remain largely silent about the problem. Digital banking fraud has surged 86% in a single year, with AI-enabled scams and social engineering tactics making fraud increasingly sophisticated and difficult to track.
Minister Emma Theofelus drew criticism from consumer activists after stating that pensioners falling victim to online scams bear responsibility for protecting themselves, while activists argue the government should run awareness campaigns and opponents point to legislative gaps in data protection and cybercrime laws.
The Anti-Corruption Commission reported that 45% of the 127 cases it handled in the 2024/25 financial year involved abuse of power, with bribery and misuse of public resources among other common issues. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare called for robust anti-corruption strategies, adequate funding for key institutions, and better collaboration among stakeholders to combat corruption.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare addressed the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Steering Committee, emphasizing the government's commitment to fighting corruption and the importance of cooperation among anti-corruption institutions. He noted that the second National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2021–2025) is ending and an independent evaluation will inform the development of a third strategy for 2026–2030, with consultations planned across all fourteen regions.
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.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called on government institutions responsible for tackling corruption to stop working in isolation and instead collaborate through shared intelligence and coordinated action. He emphasized the need for adequate funding of anti-corruption bodies and decentralization of services to the regions.
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 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.