EXPLAINER: We checked — here’s how SA is staying off the FATF grey list

South Africa has remained off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list since early this year, thanks to its participation in the FATF's 5th Round Mutual Evaluation process. This evaluation, which runs until 2027, marks a shift from mere legislative compliance to assessing actual enforcement effectiveness. The outcome of this review will be pivotal in determining whether South Africa continues to avoid the grey list, which designates countries with inadequate anti-money laundering measures. The FATF's evaluation process involves a thorough examination of a country's legal framework, regulatory oversight, and operational capabilities in combating financial crimes. For South Africa, this includes reviewing how well it implements recommendations from past commissions of inquiry, such as the Madlanga Commission, which investigated corruption and financial misconduct. How effectively the government addresses these issues during the evaluation period will directly influence its standing with the FATF. In parallel, the FATF has launched its Roadmap 26-28 initiative, led by the United Kingdom under the presidency of Giles Thomson. This initiative aims to combat the growing threat of global fraud through enhanced coordination and proactive measures. The roadmap outlines three main phases: first, addressing scam compounds by leveraging international collaboration; second, focusing on cyber-enabled fraud by analyzing best practices and identifying gaps; and third, implementing and enforcing solutions across all member states. South Africa is set to play a key role in this initiative. As part of the UK's FATF Presidency, the organization is introducing several tools aimed at strengthening global financial security. One of these is the enhancement of transaction traceability through updates to Recommendation 16 (R.16). This update seeks to improve the clarity of originator and beneficiary information within payment messages, making it easier to track illicit transactions. Another key area of focus is the regulation of virtual assets. Given their increasing use in fraudulent activities and money laundering, the FATF is emphasizing the need for stronger oversight. South Africa has already demonstrated its commitment to this goal, achieving a high level of compliance with FATF standards related to virtual assets. According to the FATF's July 2026 Targeted Update on Virtual Assets, South Africa was rated "Largely Compliant" based on its 2024 assessment. The country has successfully met all major metrics surveyed by the FATF concerning digital assets. Additionally, the FATF is promoting the enhancement of public-private partnerships. This involves fostering greater cooperation between financial institutions, telecommunications companies, social media platforms, and digital asset providers. Such collaboration is essential for effective information-sharing and the timely identification of suspicious activities. South Africa's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has been recognized as sophisticated and effective. The South African Money Laundering Integrated Task Force works closely with environmental and financial law enforcement agencies to conduct complex cross-border investigations. These efforts have yielded successful outcomes in tackling financial crimes. As the FATF continues its evaluations and initiatives, South Africa's ability to maintain its current status will depend on its continued adherence to these frameworks and its capacity to adapt to emerging threats. With ongoing reforms and international collaboration, the country is positioned to remain a trusted player in global financial governance.