Maputo, May 8, 2026 (Lusa) - Mozambique’s new anti-money laundering strategy through 2030 aims to ensure financial prevention sustainability and prevent the nation's return to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) international grey list, consolidating reforms and strengthening the fight against financial crime.
The cabinet recently approved the Sustainability Strategy of the System for Preventing and Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (2026-2030).
Lusa reviewed the document on Friday which aims to "ensure sustainability of technical compliance and effectiveness with international regulatory standards set by FATF [the global money laundering watchdog], to protect the integrity and stability of the national financial system"
The document frames the decision following Mozambique’s removal from the list of countries under increased monitoring, stressing that "the nation's exit from the grey list does not mark the end of the process", but "the start of a new phase" requiring continuous action and institutional consolidation.
Authorities warned in March that the country had to start demonstrating steps it has taken after leaving the international money laundering grey list, by September 2027.
This requirement justified the new national sustainability strategy.
"We have to work to really strengthen our system. And in this way ensure that the country does not return to the grey list," Luis Cezerilo, from the finance ministry, told journalists in Maputo.
Mozambique left the FATF grey list on 24 October, 2025, after three years.
Cezerilo, who also coordinates the executive committee for policies to prevent and combat money laundering, terrorism financing and the financing of weapons proliferation, warned about the country’s current responsibility.
"If you look at FATF statistics, 40% of countries that leave the grey list return immediately. We are not worried about returning, just as we were not worried about leaving in the past. We are worried about creating a sustainable system, strong, resilient structures, with skilled human resources, with well-trained human resources," he said.
One of the five pillars of the new five-year strategy focusses on stronger coordination between institutions and closer international cooperation, while keeping mechanisms created during the FATF evaluation process.
Another central pillar targets the supervision and monitoring of obligated entities through a risk-based approach.
The strategy includes measures to "ensure effective implementation of established policies and practices."
These involve continuous training and strengthening the technical and technological capacity of supervisory authorities and inspections proportional to the level of identified risk.
Economic transparency is another priority, focusing on identifying beneficial owners.
The document highlights the need to "strengthen transparency measures applicable to individuals, legal entities and entities without legal personality" to reduce risks linked to economic operations and financial transactions.
The strategy plans to strengthen the analysis, investigation, prosecution and trial of money laundering and terrorist financing, alongside asset recovery.
Fighting terrorist financing is an autonomous goal within a comprehensive national strategy.
The plan advocates "ensuring the effective implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to combat terrorist financing, in line with international standards." This includes targeted financial sanctions and periodic risk assessments.
PVJ/LYT // AYLS
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