The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially left the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list, marking international recognition of reforms undertaken to strengthen financial transparency, combat illicit financial flows and reinforce the credibility of the national financial system.
KINSHASA — October 30, 2026
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, commonly known as the FATF grey list.
The decision was adopted during the FATF plenary meeting in Paris and announced on Friday, October 30. The Congolese Ministry of Finance described the development as a historic advance for the country’s financial credibility.
According to Actualite.cd’s report on the decision, the removal recognizes the substantial progress achieved by the DRC in strengthening its national framework against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
The result follows a multi-year reform process led under the direction of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and coordinated through the Ministry of Finance, the National Financial Intelligence Unit, known as CENAREF, and other public institutions.
From Increased Monitoring to International Recognition
The DRC entered the FATF’s increased-monitoring process in October 2022 after making a high-level political commitment to work with the organization and the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa, or GABAC.
Being placed on the grey list did not mean that the country was under international financial sanctions or included on the FATF’s high-risk “black list.” It meant that the DRC was working under enhanced international monitoring to address identified weaknesses within an agreed timetable.
In June 2026, the FATF officially determined that the DRC had substantially completed its action plan and qualified for an on-site assessment. That evaluation was intended to confirm that the reforms had begun operating in practice and that the political and institutional commitment required to sustain them remained in place.
ECONOMIC REPORTS
DRC Exits FATF Grey List After Completing Reform Plan
Oct 30, 2026
Oct 30, 2026
7 min read
Published
Updated:
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially left the Financial Action Task Force’s grey list, marking international recognition of reforms undertaken to strengthen financial transparency, combat illicit financial flows and reinforce the credibility of the national financial system.
KINSHASA — October 30, 2026
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, commonly known as the FATF grey list.
The decision was adopted during the FATF plenary meeting in Paris and announced on Friday, October 30. The Congolese Ministry of Finance described the development as a historic advance for the country’s financial credibility.
According to Actualite.cd’s report on the decision, the removal recognizes the substantial progress achieved by the DRC in strengthening its national framework against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
The result follows a multi-year reform process led under the direction of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and coordinated through the Ministry of Finance, the National Financial Intelligence Unit, known as CENAREF, and other public institutions.
From Increased Monitoring to International Recognition
The DRC entered the FATF’s increased-monitoring process in October 2022 after making a high-level political commitment to work with the organization and the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa, or GABAC.
Being placed on the grey list did not mean that the country was under international financial sanctions or included on the FATF’s high-risk “black list.” It meant that the DRC was working under enhanced international monitoring to address identified weaknesses within an agreed timetable.
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In June 2026, the FATF officially determined that the DRC had substantially completed its action plan and qualified for an on-site assessment. That evaluation was intended to confirm that the reforms had begun operating in practice and that the political and institutional commitment required to sustain them remained in place.
The October decision completes that process and removes the DRC from public identification as a jurisdiction under increased monitoring.
A 23-Measure Reform Plan Completed
The DRC implemented a reform plan comprising 23 measures, documented its progress through ten reports and received an assessment mission in September 2026, according to the government communication
The reforms were legal, institutional and operational. They included the completion of a national assessment of money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks, as well as the adoption of a national strategy to address those risks.
The FATF also recognized steps taken by the DRC to:
designate supervisory authorities for relevant non-financial sectors;
establish risk-based supervision plans;
strengthen the resources and analytical capacity of CENAREF;
reinforce the ability of investigative and prosecutorial authorities to handle financial crimes; and
demonstrate the implementation of targeted financial sanctions relating to terrorist and proliferation financing.
Preparations for the final assessment brought together institutions responsible for regulation, investigation, prosecution and compliance. In September, the Agence Congolaise de Presse reported that Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba had launched technical workshops to consolidate evidence, improve institutional coordination and demonstrate that the reforms could be maintained over time.
A Whole-of-Government Achievement
The exit from the grey list reflects cooperation across the Congolese State and the private sector.
Alongside the Presidency, Ministry of Finance and CENAREF, the reform effort involved the Central Bank of Congo, the Insurance Regulatory and Supervisory Authority, the Ministry of Justice, courts and tribunals, investigative services, the military prosecution service and regulated private-sector entities.
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The work strengthened the country’s capacity to identify suspicious financial activity, exchange information, supervise exposed sectors and support investigations into illicit financial flows.
The DRC’s admission in July 2026 to the Egmont Group, the global network of financial intelligence units, also supported the country’s wider financial-integrity agenda by expanding CENAREF’s ability to cooperate with international counterparts.
The Ministry of Finance’s earlier updates documented the preparatory work, institutional reforms and international engagement that preceded the October decision.
What the Decision Means for the Congolese Economy
Removal from the grey list strengthens the DRC’s financial reputation and can improve the way international banks, investors and economic partners assess transactions connected to the country.
The decision can support:
greater confidence in the Congolese financial system;
smoother relationships with international correspondent banks;
a gradual reduction in the perception of risk attached to legitimate transactions;
a stronger environment for responsible investment; and
improved credibility in discussions with development and financial partners.
These gains will develop progressively as banks and investors update their risk assessments. Leaving FATF monitoring does not automatically reduce every transaction cost or eliminate all compliance checks, but it removes an important reputational barrier and gives the DRC a stronger platform for financial and economic engagement.
For Congolese companies, entrepreneurs and citizens, the long-term opportunity is a more trusted financial system capable of connecting the national economy more efficiently to regional and global markets.
Protecting Congo’s Wealth and Financial Sovereignty
The reform programme also supports the government’s wider effort to protect national resources from criminal networks and ensure that Congolese wealth contributes to national development.
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Stronger financial intelligence and supervision can help authorities identify suspicious flows, improve transparency and protect the economy against money laundering and other illicit financial practices.
This is particularly important for a country seeking to increase local mineral processing, attract productive investment, expand public infrastructure and mobilize more domestic resources for development.
By reinforcing the integrity of its financial system, the DRC is strengthening its sovereignty and its ability to negotiate with international partners from a position of greater institutional credibility.
Reform Continues Beyond the Grey List
The October decision is both a national achievement and a foundation for further progress. Countries removed from increased monitoring continue working with the FATF and the relevant regional bodies through the normal follow-up process to sustain and deepen their reforms.
The Congolese government has committed to continuing the fight against financial crime and maintaining the institutions, supervision and enforcement capacity developed during the reform process.
For the DRC, the central message is that, the country has completed an internationally monitored action plan, demonstrated its commitment through successive evaluations and earned removal from the FATF grey list.
The result strengthens the credibility of the Tshisekedi administration’s financial-governance programme and gives the country a new opportunity to convert institutional progress into investment, stronger banking relationships and wider economic opportunity for the Congolese people.
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