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 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.
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
