South Africa One Step Away from FATF Greylist Exit

South Africa just checked off a major milestone completing all 22 action items in the FATF’s greylisting Action Plan, from strengthening prosecutions of money laundering to tightening terror financing controls. The FATF acknowledged this progress at its June 2025 plenary in Strasbourg.

The Final Hurdle

But before popping the champagne, there's one final hurdle: a boots-on-the-ground inspection. The FATF’s Africa Joint Group will conduct an on-site visit to verify that these reforms aren’t just on paper, but they’re working in practice, with lasting political will.

If the visit goes well, South Africa could be delisted as early as October 2025.

Why It Matters

Greylisting has real-world costs, from higher transaction fees to reputational damage. Exiting signals a more robust financial system and stronger institutions post-state capture.

Other nations also moving forward: Mali and Tanzania are now off the greylist, and Nigeria, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso are also slated for site visits.

Read more in the Media Release issued by the FIC.