FATF October 2025 update: MEA jurisdictions under increased monitoring

On 24 October 2025, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) released its updated list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. The list includes several Middle Eastern and African (MEA) countries within Diligencia’s area of expertise. Each jurisdiction on the list has committed to addressing strategic deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML), combating the financing of terrorism (CFT), and proliferation financing frameworks.

FATF's increased monitoring: What it means

Countries under increased monitoring work closely with FATF to enhance the effectiveness of their financial regulatory systems. These jurisdictions have made high-level political commitments to strengthen their AML/CFT regimes and address identified weaknesses - demonstrating their dedication to aligning with FATF’s global standards.

Recent changes

In 2025, six jurisdictions in MEA were removed from the increased monitoring list following successful on-site assessments and the completion of their action plans. These countries are:

• Burkina Faso
• Mali
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Tanzania

Their removal reflects significant progress in strengthening financial crime prevention frameworks.

MEA countries currently under increased monitoring

The following MEA jurisdictions remain under increased monitoring; each working to implement targeted reforms and improve financial transparency:

• Algeria
• Angola
• Cameroon
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Kenya
• Lebanon
• Namibia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

These countries have pledged to adopt comprehensive measures to enhance the resilience of their financial systems, strengthen regulatory oversight, and improve.

For a full overview of FATF’s findings and country-specific updates, visit the official Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring – 24 October 2025 page.