8 African countries on the EU's latest high-risk money laundering list

The European Union has maintained eight African countries on its latest list of high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regimes.

• The EU has maintained eight African countries on its high-risk list for deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regimes.
• The listed countries are Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Namibia, and South Sudan.
• This designation does not impose economic sanctions but requires EU financial institutions to apply enhanced due diligence for transactions involving these countries.
• Consequences for businesses include increased compliance, stricter documentation requirements, and potentially longer transaction processing times.

The updated register, adopted by the European Commission through Delegated Regulations (EU) 2026/46 and (EU) 2026/83, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 and identifies jurisdictions where financial crime controls fall short of international standards.

Being designated a high-risk third country does not amount to economic sanctions or trade restrictions.

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However, it requires banks and other financial institutions across the EU to apply enhanced due diligence when conducting business with customers and entities from the listed jurisdictions, potentially increasing compliance requirements and transaction scrutiny.

The 8 African countries on the EU's latest high-risk list

1. Algeria

• Date of entry into force: 5 August 2025

Algeria was added to the EU's high-risk list in 2025 following concerns over strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT framework. Financial institutions in the EU must apply enhanced due diligence when dealing with Algerian customers and businesses.

2. Angola

• Date of entry into force: 5 August 2025

Angola joined the list alongside several other jurisdictions in 2025. The designation reflects shortcomings identified in the country's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.

3. Cameroon

• Date of entry into force: 18 October 2023

Cameroon has remained on the EU's high-risk register since 2023, requiring heightened scrutiny for transactions involving the country.

4. Côte d'Ivoire

• Date of entry into force: 5 August 2025

Côte d'Ivoire was included in the latest cycle of additions after the EU identified strategic weaknesses in its financial crime prevention framework.

5. Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Date of entry into force: 16 March 2023

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been subject to enhanced due diligence measures by EU financial institutions since 2023.

6. Kenya

• Date of entry into force: 5 August 2025

As East Africa's largest economy, Kenya's inclusion on the list means businesses and financial institutions engaging with European counterparts may face additional compliance checks.

7. Namibia

• Date of entry into force: 5 August 2025

Namibia was also added in 2025, placing it among the African countries subject to enhanced AML/CFT scrutiny within the EU.

8. South Sudan

• Date of entry into force: 13 March 2022

South Sudan is the longest-serving African country on the current list, having remained under enhanced due diligence requirements since 2022.

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What the designation means

The EU's high-risk list is designed to protect the integrity of the bloc's financial system by identifying jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and the financing of weapons proliferation.

For businesses and financial institutions operating in or with the affected countries, the designation means transactions involving these jurisdictions are subject to enhanced customer due diligence rather than outright restrictions.

This can lead to additional documentation requirements, more rigorous compliance checks, and longer processing times for cross-border financial transactions.

The European Commission's assessments are informed by technical evaluations and closely aligned with the standards developed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.

Countries can be removed from the list after implementing reforms that sufficiently address the identified deficiencies.