Windhoek: Namibia's 2025 Basel Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Index score improved to 4.78, making it the fifth best-performing country in Africa in terms of money-laundering and financial-crime risk exposure.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Basel AML Index evaluates countries' exposure to money laundering and financial crime by assessing corruption risks, legal frameworks, financial transparency, and the overall effectiveness of AML and counter-financing of terrorism systems. Lower scores indicate stronger resilience.

The Financial Intelligence Centre Director, Bryan Eiseb, stated in a media statement on Friday that Namibia's performance continues to improve steadily with the country's latest ratings improving from 5.09 in 2023 to 4.89 in 2024 and now to 4.78 in 2025. 'Namibia now ranks as the fifth best-performing country in Africa in terms of low money-laundering and financial-crime risk exposure. This achievement reflects dedicated joint efforts by national supervisory bodies, law-enforcement agencies, reporting institutions, and policymakers who continue to strengthen compliance and enforcement across the financial system,' he said.

He added that these reforms undertaken across the national AML/CFT ecosystem are producing measurable, internationally recognised results. These improvements, Eiseb highlighted, directly support the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) target and national vision of reducing illicit financial flows from nine per cent in 2024 to five per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 under Pillar 1, which prioritises Economic Growth, Transformation, and Resilience.

While the results are encouraging, the FIC emphasises that continued vigilance is essential, he said. Namibia, he went on to say, must maintain momentum and intensify efforts in the areas of improving effectiveness in all AML/CFT sectors, enhancing beneficial ownership transparency, conducting the next National Risk Assessment in 2026, and continuing efforts to remove Namibia from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

'The FIC extends its appreciation to all national stakeholders and international technical-assistance partners for their sustained cooperation and commitment,' he said, while reaffirming its commitment to coordinating national efforts to protect the integrity of Namibia's financial system and aligning the country with global AML/CFT standards.