The European Union has kept eight African countries on its most recent list of high-risk third countries, which identifies jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regimes
The updated list, adopted by the European Commission through Delegated Regulations (EU) 2026/46 and (EU) 2026/83, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1675 and identifies jurisdictions whose mechanisms for combating financial crime fall short of international standards.
Inclusion on this list does not amount to economic sanctions or trade restrictions. It does, however, require EU banks and other financial institutions to apply enhanced due diligence measures in their business relationships with customers and entities from the listed jurisdictions, which may entail additional compliance requirements and greater scrutiny of transactions.
The eight African countries on the list
1. Algeria
It was added to the EU’s high-risk list in 2025, following concerns about strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime. EU financial institutions must apply enhanced due diligence when dealing with Algerian clients and entities.
2. Angola
It was added to the list in 2025, along with other jurisdictions. The designation reflects identified shortcomings in Angola’s measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
3. Cameroon
It has remained on the EU’s high-risk list since 2023, requiring enhanced scrutiny for transactions involving the country.
4. Ivory Coast
It was included in the most recent round of additions after the EU identified strategic weaknesses in its financial crime prevention regime.
5. Democratic Republic of the Congo
It has been subject to enhanced due diligence measures by EU financial institutions since 2023.
6. Kenya
As the largest economy in East Africa, its inclusion on the list means that companies and financial institutions doing business with European partners may face additional compliance checks.
7. Namibia
It was also added in 2025, joining the African countries subject to enhanced scrutiny regarding ML/TF within the EU.
8. South Sudan
It is the African country that has been on the current list the longest, having been subject to enhanced due diligence requirements since 2022.
What the Designation Means
The EU’s high-risk list is intended 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 companies and financial institutions that operate in or do business with these countries, the designation means that transactions involving these jurisdictions are subject to enhanced customer due diligence, rather than direct restrictions. This may result in additional documentation requirements, stricter compliance checks, and longer processing times for cross-border financial transactions.
The European Commission’s assessments are based on technical analyses and closely follow the standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the leading international body in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
Countries may be removed from the list after implementing reforms that satisfactorily address the identified deficiencies.
Source: Jornal Mercado
