8 African economies flagged for money laundering face increasing pressure under global financial scrutiny (See list)

As 2026 begins, several African economies are under growing pressure from stricter global financial compliance standards, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list emerging as a major obstacle to economic stability, investment inflows and access to global finance.

Countries placed under FATF’s “increased monitoring” regime face elevated transaction costs, strained correspondent banking relationships, delayed investment and reduced access to international capital markets — pressures that fall disproportionately on African states, according to Access Bank Group’s commentary on FATF assessments.

At the start of 2026, eight African countries remain on the FATF grey list: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Namibia and South Sudan.

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The grey list identifies jurisdictions with strategic shortcomings in combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons. While not as punitive as blacklisting, the designation triggers heightened scrutiny from global financial institutions, slowing trade finance, constraining remittance channels and dampening investor confidence.

For many African economies, the challenges reflect long-standing weaknesses in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, often tied to opaque resource sectors, institutional fragility and persistent regional security risks.

Analysts warn that prolonged placement on the grey list risks deepening financial marginalisation at a time when many African governments are already struggling with heavy debt burdens, fragile macroeconomic positions and protracted negotiations with international lenders.

Beyond the reputational damage, continued FATF scrutiny threatens to further undermine trade, restrict sovereign borrowing and deter foreign investment amid rising global and regional instability.

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