Namibia could exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list at the organisation’s June 2026 Plenary meeting after addressing all 13 strategic deficiencies identified in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) framework ahead of the May 2026 deadline, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) has announced.
FIC Director Bryan Eiseb said the FATF made an initial determination during its Plenary meeting held in Mexico from 9 to 13 February 2026 that Namibia had substantially completed the action plan adopted following the country’s greylisting in February 2024.
According to Eiseb, the country has now remediated all 13 strategic deficiencies identified by the FATF, paving the way for the next stage of the process, an on-site assessment to verify that the reforms have been fully implemented before a final decision is taken on removing Namibia from the grey list.
The reforms included strengthening risk-based supervision through increased institutional capacity, conducting offsite and onsite inspections informed by supervisory risk assessments, and applying effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions for breaches of AML/CFT obligations. Namibia also enhanced preventive measures by requiring stronger due diligence by financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses, improved the filing of beneficial ownership information, and strengthened cooperation between financial intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
Further measures involved improving the operational capabilities of authorities investigating and prosecuting money laundering and terrorism financing cases, as well as approving an amended National Counter Terrorism Strategy.
Eiseb said the FATF commended Namibia’s progress, remarking that “our sustainable reforms were a model for other countries in the ICRG (Grey listing) process.”
An on-site assessment by reviewers from the Africa Joint Group is scheduled for April 2026, with the outcome expected to be presented at the next FATF Plenary in June 2026, where a final decision on Namibia’s exit from the grey list will be considered.
Eiseb said the FIC is coordinating with national stakeholders to ensure readiness for the assessment, adding that the process demonstrates “the Government of the Republic of Namibia’s commitment to strengthening our domestic AML/CFT framework and thereby contributing to global efforts to eradicate financial crime, money laundering, corruption, and illicit financial flows.”
