Financial Intelligence Centre — government institution responsible for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing oversight, currently leading Namibia's FATF grey list exit reforms.
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June 2026
Windhoek Observer
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 Centresaid the country effectively addressed59 recommended actions
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“"The country was found to have effectively addressed 59 recommended actions, while the remaining 13 required improvement," says Bryan Eiseb, the director of the Financial Intelligence Centre.”
Bank of Namibia's Financial Intelligence Centreestablished thatmoney in two Dubai bank accounts was withdrawn and accounts were empty
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“The Namibian reported in February 2022 that the Bank of Namibia's Financial Intelligence Centre established that the money in the two Dubai bank accounts had been withdrawn and the accounts were found to be empty.”
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 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.