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2026-02-27

High-Risk Jurisdictions Update (February 2026)

The Financial Intelligence Agency of Botswana has updated its high-risk and monitored jurisdiction list following the February 2026 FATF plenary meeting, adding Kuwait and Papua New Guinea to the grey list while maintaining Russian Federation suspension. Accountable institutions must apply proportionate enhanced due diligence, maintain continuous business relationship monitoring, and update institutional risk assessments in accordance with the Financial Intelligence Act 2022. Although enhanced due diligence is not strictly mandated for grey-listed jurisdictions, regulated entities must implement these measures to mitigate money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation risks.

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Botswana

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[Logo: FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY BOTSWANA]

Private Bag 0190 Gaborone +267 3998400 www.finance.gov.bw fia-pr@gov.bw

REFERENCE: FIAC 1/4/16 Vol. 8 (3) 23 February 2026

To: Specified Parties, Accountable Institutions & Supervisory Authorities

NOTICE: HIGH-RISK & MONITORED JURISDICTIONS

  1. The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) is mandated to communicate the list of high risk countries in accordance with Section 6 (2) (h) of the Financial Intelligence Act, 2022 (the FI Act). Therefore, following the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting of February 2026, the list has been updated and the changes communicated (in bold) as follows:

    1.1 Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring (grey list)

    These are countries with strategic deficiencies in their regimes to counter Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF), and Proliferation Financing (PF). Kuwait and Papua New Guinea, have been added to the list as illustrated below;

AlgeriaMonaco
AngolaNamibia
BoliviaNepal
BulgariaPapua New Guinea
CameroonSouth Sudan
Côte d'IvoireSyria
Democratic Republic of CongoVenezuela
HaitiVietnam
KenyaVirgin Islands (UK)
KuwaitYemen
Lao PDR
Lebanon
1.2 **High-Risk Jurisdictions - Call for Action (black list)**

These are countries with significant deficiencies in their regimes to counter ML/TF/PF. No changes have been made to the list below:

* Democratic People's Republic of Korea

  • Iran

  • Myanmar

    1.3 Russian Federation Suspension

    The Russian Federation remains suspended from FATF. Jurisdictions must be vigilant against risks related to circumvention of financial measures.

  1. The above lists may be accessed under publications at: https://www.fatf-gafi.org/

  2. The following action is required by Specified Parties and Accountable Institutions:

    3.1. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Apply proportionate EDD measures for high-risk jurisdictions as per Section 21 (1) (h) of the FI Act.

    3.2. Business Relationship Monitoring: Specified Parties should ensure continued monitoring of business relationships linked to high-risk jurisdictions per Section 29 (1) (b) of the FI Act.

    3.3. Risk Assessment Review: Specified Parties should Update Institutional Risk Assessments based on FATF guidance as per Section 13 (6) of the FI Act.

  3. Please note that the FATF does not require enhanced due diligence for jurisdictions under increased monitoring.

Yours faithfully

[Signature]

Bopelokgale Soko DIRECTOR GENERAL

Safeguarding the integrity of Botswana’s financial system

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