Mozambique
News and blog
Mozambique exits FATF grey list: milestone in strengthening the fight against illicit finance
The Financial Action Task Force FATF is removing Mozambique from its “grey” list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, following more than two years of intensive reform and implementation efforts. Mozambique was placed on the FATF grey list in October 2022. It has since made significant progress in addressing strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing AML/CFT framework. Under the National Strategy for Exiting the Grey List, approved by the Council of Ministers in December 2022, the Government of Mozambique, through the Technical Assistance Coordination Committee chaired by the Prime Minister, worked closely with national institutions and international partners to strengthen its legal, institutional and operational response to financial crime. We are delighted to have played a role in the implementation of the strategy, through technical assistance by our Maputo-based International Centre for Asset Recovery ICAR team. Intensive training across the country In collaboration with the Centre for Legal and Judicial Training CFJJ , our locally based ICAR team coordinated and delivered a series of targeted trainings and mentoring sessions to enhance the capacity of investigators, prosecutors and judges to use financial intelligence, mutual legal assistance and asset recovery mechanisms in complex corruption and money laundering cases. In total the trainings reached around 150 officials in the north, centre and south of the country. These activities, conducted under the Anti-Corruption and Accountability Programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC , directly contributed to the achievement of several Immediate Outcomes identified in Mozambique’s Action Plan for exiting the grey list. The Immediate Outcomes targeted – which measure the effectiveness of a jurisdiction’s AML/CFT measures in practice – cover international cooperation IO2 , use of financial intelligence IO6 , and the investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of money laundering offences IO7 . Enhancing Mozambique’s legal regime Our team also played a role in reviewing and providing targeted guidance on improving Mozambique’s AML/CFT regime in line with the international requirements. Mozambique now has two important new laws that will support government efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction: Law No. 14/2023 of 28 of August, establishing the Legal Regime of Preventive Measures and Combating Money Laundering and Financing Terrorism Law No. 15/2023 of 28 of August, establishing the Legal Regime of Prevention, Repression and Combating of Terrorism and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Hope for passing of new civil confiscation law Mozambique’s exit from the grey list represents a major milestone for the country. It is also a testament to the collective effort of all institutions involved in reinforcing transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done. As of October 2023, the updated FATF Recommendation 4 now obliges jurisdictions to implement non-conviction based confiscation regimes as part of their legal toolkit for tackling financial crime. Our ICAR team has since 2021 supported the competent Mozambican authorities in development of a national civil non-conviction based confiscation regime. Led by a multi-sectoral working group coordinated by the Office of the Attorney General PGR , the process has produced a draft law adapted to Mozambique’s legal and constitutional framework. We hope and expect this law will be approved soon and look forward to supporting its implementation. Learn more Learn more about ICAR’s technical assistance in Mozambique. See our Basel AML Index and its Expert Edition – a leading index and assessment tool for money laundering and related financial crime risks in 203 jurisdictions.
Bridging intelligence and investigations: Advanced Operational Analysis training
A major blockage in financial crime cases lies in the space between intelligence and investigations. All too often, crucial financial intelligence from Financial Intelligence Units isn’t used effectively to trigger or advance investigations. One reason lies in the quality of the financial intelligence reports themselves, which may not match what investigators and prosecutors need. A related reason lies in poor cooperation between different agencies involved in the fight against financial crime. This blockage is a recurring challenge highlighted in evaluations of the effectiveness of countries’ frameworks for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism AML/CFT conducted by the Financial Action Task Force FATF . Many countries perform relatively well on Immediate Outcome 6 IO6 , an indicator that measures the effective generation and use of financial intelligence. However, the real difficulty lies in converting this into effective investigations IO7 and the confiscation of assets IO8 , where scores are consistently lower. Training to bridge the gap Advanced Operational Analysis training, which the training team of the Basel Institute’s International Centre for Asset Recovery ICAR conducts for government agencies around the world, is specifically designed to bridge this gap. Between May and July 2025, our training team delivered Advanced Operational Analysis training in Mozambique, Ecuador and Tanzania. The intensive week-long workshops brought together Financial Intelligence Unit analysts, investigators, prosecutors and other relevant practitioners in each country. The objective was to enhance the generation of financial intelligence that officers in investigation and prosecution agencies can act upon. The ultimate goal: successful money laundering investigations and the recovery of illicit assets. Transforming intelligence into operational leads The Advanced Operational Analysis training combines our eLearning module on Operational Analysis of Suspicious Transaction Reports with an extensive, instructor-led country-specific component. Participants work through a complex and realistic simulated case involving: Shell companies and offshore structures; Intricate and large volume of financial data Blockchain transactions and the tracing of virtual assets; Cross-border elements and international cooperation mechanisms. They plan and collect relevant information using the intelligence cycle, as outlined in the eLearning course. After analysing it, they present it in a format that helps investigative or prosecutorial authorities identify indicators of possible predicate and money laundering offences as well as proceeds of crime. The authorities must then corroborate this intelligence and convert into evidence. In this way, intelligence is transformed into operational leads. In Tanzania, participants stressed its immediate relevance: The course is very good and relevant to daily work. It helps in analysing financial information and preparing intelligence reports that can be used by investigators and prosecutors. I learned how to collect, process, and present financial intelligence in a way that supports investigations of money laundering and other financial crimes. Fostering cooperation between agencies A key objective of the Advanced Operational Analysis programme is to strengthen cooperation among the diverse actors in the fight against financial crime, from Financial Intelligence Units and prosecutors to law enforcement agencies and even compliance officers from commercial banks. In Mozambique, participants highlighted the benefits of this joint approach: The course allowed us to engage with professionals from other agencies. It helped clarify how different institutions can collaborate and use financial intelligence more effectively. Others noted how the practical group exercise mirrored real inter-agency dynamics: The methodology, especially the teamwork component, reflects how we should be working in real life — analysts, investigators, and prosecutors together. Putting knowledge into practice Across all three countries, participants described the course as directly applicable. The blend of theory, tools and simulated investigation work gave them the confidence to apply new skills immediately. One participant in Ecuador reflected: The practical case helped us think like investigators and apply analytical techniques in a structured way. Participants particularly valued the exposure to diverse methods of gathering and analysing financial data. These elements came together in the simulated case that integrated automated tools such as database and OSINT search, along with AI-powered interview simulations. By working in a setting that closely mirrored reality, participants were able to visualise how these skills could be applied in their daily work. Positive signs The training programmes in Mozambique and Tanzania were delivered as part of the Basel Institute’s country programmes, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC . Both countries made significant progress in strengthening the effectiveness of their AML/CFT systems: the FATF confirmed Tanzania’s exit from its grey list of jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring in June 2025, while Mozambique’s Financial Intelligence Unit GiFIM joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units in July 2025. Learn more View ICAR’s training programmes on financial investigations and asset recovery for government agencies. Interested in learning opportunities as an individual? Check out our free eLearning courses and our new advanced study programme with the University of Basel on Combating Financial Crime Through Asset Recovery. The Expert Edition Plus service of our Basel AML Index – a widely used country index and risk assessment tool for money laundering and related financial crimes – allows users to view countries’ individual performance under the FATF’s Recommendations and Immediate Outcomes. Subscription is free for public-sector and non-profit organisations.
New funding agreement strengthens asset recovery efforts in Mozambique
The Basel Institute's technical assistance to the Prosecutor General’s Office in Mozambique will now continue through 2027, thanks to a second-phase agreement with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC , Mozambique office. Since 2018, our locally based team has been helping to build the capacity of the Prosecutor General's Office to investigate and prosecute corruption and related financial crimes, as well as to recover stolen assets. Training support was extended to the country’s Criminal Police in 2022. The programme is primarily funded by SDC and is implemented through our International Centre for Asset Recovery ICAR , which also benefits from core funding from the Governments of Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. The key priorities of the programme are targeted training and mentoring; support with civil confiscation legislation; and institutional development. Phase one achievements: strengthened investigation capacity and legislative framework The most significant achievements of the first phase of the intervention 2019–2023 include the strengthened financial investigation capacity embodied by the Central Asset Recovery Office GCRA , an entity created and made operational during the programme period. The country also made significant progress in legislative and policy reform, including the introduction of an extended forfeiture regime, a new law to strengthen the country’s AML/CFT framework and improvements to the country’s penal and penal procedural codes. Draft civil confiscation legislation is currently with the Council of Ministers for submission to Parliament. Once adopted, Mozambique will be the first Portuguese-speaking country in the world to have civil confiscation legislation. ICAR experts also delivered training to over 1,500 prosecutors, criminal investigators, financial investigators and judges on topics related to anti-money laundering, corruption, extended asset forfeiture, international cooperation, asset recovery and criminal investigation techniques. Phase two priorities: targeted training and institutional development The second phase of the programme will focus on three main areas: Continuing our collaboration with Mozambique's authorities to enhance the legal and institutional framework for anti-corruption, financial and economic crime and asset recovery, including supporting them with the approval and implementation of the civil confiscation law. Continuing our contribution to institutional strengthening by advising on the creation of further specialised entities within the Prosecutor General’s Office, and providing support the Asset Recovery Unit. Enhancing the skills of the staff of anti-corruption institutions, especially prosecutors and criminal investigators, both at the national and provincial levels. Through specialised training and on-the-job mentoring we will improve capacity for the investigation and prosecution of corruption, financial crime and asset recovery, including financial investigations and mutual legal assistance, with an emphasis on provinces where such types of crime are concentrated. Contributing to an environment that deters corruption Our intervention is part of a wider SDC-funded anti-corruption programme that seeks to reduce the political, economic and social costs of corruption on development for Mozambique by creating an environment that deters engagement in corrupt practices by public servants, office holders, private companies and citizens. Other partners include the Ministry of Economy and Finance, UNODC and the Centro de Integridade Pública. Our ICAR team is assisting with coordination of the consortium in the new phase. “The Asset Recovery and Management Offices and the strengthening of anti-corruption legislation are among the achievements of the first phase of the programme, and we commend the staff of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, ICAR and UNODC experts for their work. We expect that the second phase will continue to improve the legislation on international legal and judicial cooperation in the fight against corruption, including through the adoption of the Law on Civil Forfeiture. We hope that the programme will also continue to improve the quality of criminal, financial and asset investigations.” – Ilaria Dali-Bernasconi, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Switzerland in Mozambique “The results presented here underline the undeniable contribution of the cooperation and support programme to strengthening Mozambique's capacity to combat corruption and economic and financial crime and recover assets. From the creation of the Central Asset Recovery Office GCRA to the training of its staff... We praise the efforts made by the \ ICAR\ team… that culminated in the approval by Parliament of the Asset Recovery Law. The results show the fulfilment of the agreement's objectives, the gains the country has made in the fight against corruption, which contributes to the country's development, the respect and integrity of the state and the well-being of our people.” – Alberto Paulo, Deputy Public Prosecutor General of Mozambique Learn more Download a flyer about the programme
Building integrity from the ground up in Mozambique: training programme
Mozambique faces critical infrastructure challenges – and opportunities – across all areas of its economy. Yet the type of high-value procurement and infrastructure projects needed to boost development in the country are well known to be vulnerable to corruption. Risk factors include the high complexity, large transactions and multi-party negotiations that require close cooperation between the public and private sectors. To ensure procurement projects are not hijacked by corrupt interests, law enforcement officials need specific training to identify and investigate corruption and, if necessary, to recover stolen funds. Gaining specialised knowledge From 6-9 November 2023, 23 anti-corruption practitioners took part in ICAR's specialised training programme on "Corruption in Infrastructure Projects and Procurement" at the Prosecutor General's Office in Maputo, Mozambique. ICAR experts Phyllis Atkinson, Tom Walugembe and Emmanuel Mringo explored the most common fraudulent practices in procurement and infrastructure projects together with participants. In Mozambique as elsewhere, these include non-compliance with contract specifications, inflated invoices, product substitution, false claims and over-invoicing. The sessions led into interactive workshops and a simulated corruption case which participants investigated in teams. Learning through investigation ICAR courses allow participants to test out new knowledge and receive real-time feedback on their evolving skills by investigating a simulated case of public procurement corruption. In this course, a simulated case in a road construction project tested participants' ability to identify the "red flags" that can reveal a corruption scheme such as bid rigging, collusive bidding, fraud, conflict of interest, bribery and kickbacks. Participants found the learning structure helpful, with one stating: The methodology used for the course was excellent. The explanations in the presentations were directly relevant to the practical exercise. I will apply these new skills when investigating cases of corruption and the embezzlement of state funds. ICAR’s "learning by doing” approach means that participants are able to quickly apply new skills and easily transfer them to their daily work. As another participant noted: The training was excellent. It connects with very pertinent aspects of my day-to-day work. That means I was able to acquire more skills and investigative methodologies in the various legal types of crime that were covered here. This will enable me to achieve better results. Constructing the local context The participants' presentations at the end of the training demonstrated a thorough knowledge of the various offences common to public procurement corruption cases, such as abuse of office, passive corruption, embezzlement and money laundering. Importantly, their new knowledge was tailored to the local context, taking into account Mozambican law and procedures. Identifying and confiscating illicit assets was also a major focus of the training, through the use of both criminal/extended forfeiture laws and in the future, we hope, new civil forfeiture mechanisms. The successful implementation of these mechanisms is crucial to preventing future corruption in infrastructure and procurement. Learn more Learn more about ICAR’s training programmes and team. The training programme was delivered in the context of a long-running partnership with the Attorney General’s Office of Mozambique that started in 2019 and is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC . Through a local team of field experts, we provide technical assistance and ongoing capacity building to law enforcement and judicial practitioners in investigating financial crimes and recovering illicit assets. Mozambique is also at the heart of a new Knowledge Community on Asset Recovery that arose from the ICAR-organised Lisbon Conference in 2022.
Southern Africa’s fight against corruption needs Collective Action
A high-level meeting of heads of anti-corruption agencies in the Southern African Development Community SADC last month was a chance to take stock of member countries’ efforts to tackle corruption. The meeting allowed for a reflection on many ongoing activities and discussions around Collective Action in the region this year. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on how to galvanise joint efforts against the region’s biggest scourge. Speaking to delegates, Scarlet Wannenwetsch, Collective Action Specialist, highlighted the underused capacity of the private sector. Businesses are full of dynamism and talent, both of which are critical in fighting corruption and other transnational crimes. To harness the private sector’s potential, she emphasised the importance of building trust by fostering regional multi-stakeholder networks. Bringing together anti-corruption champions from the public sector, private sector and civil society helps to create “good” networks – ones powerful enough to fight the corrupt networks that are holding back development in the region. Appetite for engagement The Basel Institute has been a long-standing partner of the SADC Secretariat through the work of the Private Sector team. Our team has been impressed by the level of innovation in the region. Some feature in a publication capturing good practices that was created by, with and for anti-corruption agencies in Africa. We have also been training SADC corruption prevention officers on how to engage with the private sector through Collective Action approaches. Our partners consistently express a desire for more opportunities to engage and exchange with other stakeholders. They realise that no one group can tackle corruption alone. Working towards building a community of practice To sow the seeds for such a regional multi-stakeholder network, we launched the first Southern African Anti-Corruption Collective Action Forum earlier this year in collaboration with the Southern African Anti-Corruption Network SAACoN and The Ethics Institute. The event brought together participants from the private sector, civil society and government institutions to discuss concrete opportunities for learning and collaboration. For many, it was the first time they had met at the regional level. The event was also a chance to celebrate progress. CoST Uganda won our Southern Africa Anti-Corruption Collective Action Award for its outstanding achievements in tackling corruption and raising business integrity in the region. What’s next? In order to build on the momentum of the Forum and on the energy of the SADC region’s anti-corruption leaders, it is crucial that member states continue to prioritise collaboration and Collective Action. Government anti-corruption agencies needs close, sustained collaboration with the private sector and civil society if they want to develop a more inclusive strategy to prevent corruption – and if they want that strategy to actually work in practice. That applies not only at the country and sector level, but at the regional level too. And that’s what Collective Action can bring. We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with the SADC Secretariat and wider partners to support anti-corruption Collective Action in the region. Learn more about our work on the B20 Collective Action Hub and find inspiration in its global database of initiatives.
Publications
Engaging the private sector in Collective Action against corruption: A practical guide for anti-corruption agencies in Africa
This guidance seeks to capture and explore the innovative approaches that African governments have developed to address the demand and supply sides of corruption more effectively and sustainably. It is designed to help government institutions, in particular national anti-corruption agencies, engage with the private sector more effectively to prevent corruption.
The document highlights good practices identified through interviews, desk research and a 2021 Southern African Development Community (SADC) training on “Emerging anti-corruption issues and private-sector engagement for SADC anti-corruption agencies”.
Africa offers many examples of innovative, unique and context-sensitive approaches to engage the private sector in anti-corruption efforts. Ghana’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, for instance, offers an award scheme and is looking into providing tax benefits to companies that enforce anti-corruption measures and demonstrate leadership in the fight against corruption. Other agencies and governments in the region, such as Morocco, are currently discussing implementing a reward system for compliant companies that can be considered when companies bid for public tenders.
These examples demonstrate how African governments proactively seek to tackle corruption and collaborate with the private sector.
From the initiatives captured, three common strategic approaches can be identified to underpin effective and impactful engagement:
- Raising awareness, guiding and working with the private sector to more effectively address corruption risks.
- Identifying and providing incentives to companies investing in their compliance programmes.
- Demonstrating leadership by actively participating in Collective Action and public-private partnerships.
This document is a follow-up of a practical global guide published in July 2022 and was produced with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative.
It is freely shareable under a Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence. Please credit the Basel Institute on Governance.
Gender and asset recovery: Developing a gender-sensitive framework for asset recovery technical assistance programmes. A case study of Mozambique
This summary report examines gender-related aspects within the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) programme in Mozambique as relevant for programme management and delivery. The research also explored potential gender considerations within anti-corruption and asset recovery laws and policies.
The findings and recommendations developing a gender-sensitive framework for technical assistance programmes are relevant beyond the Mozambique case study.
About this report
This is an abridged version of an original research report funded by the Embassy of Switzerland in Mozambique. The contents of the research report and this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and the official position of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Basel Institute on Governance, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre or other stakeholders.
Copyright: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Guia de Boas Práticas na Investigação Criminal em Moçambique
O presente Guia de Boas Práticas na Investigação Criminal em Moçambique constitui uma ferramenta essencial no trabalho dos investigadores do Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC) e acreditamos ser de elevada utilidade prática para o exercício das actividades funcionais do dia-a-dia deste serviço. Vem acompanhado pelas Leis Orgânicas do Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal e do Ministério Público, a Lei n.º 2/2017, de 9 de Janeiro, e a Lei n.º 1/2022, de 12 de Janeiro, respectivamente.
Desenvolvido com o contributo do Departamento Especializado para a Área Criminal da Procuradoria-Geral da República, órgão a quem compete, entre outras, o exercício da direcção técnica da intervenção processual dos órgãos subordinados do Ministério Público, realça a importância da existência de uma estreita articulação entre o SERNIC e o Ministério Público.
O Guia de Boas Práticas na Investigação Criminal em Moçambique abarca diversas temáticas essenciais para o exercício das funções dos investigadores criminais e começa por descrever os crimes de competência de investigação do SERNIC; os prazos em que devem ser realizados determinados actos processuais; a notícia do crime; o tratamento que deve ser dado à denúncia; a diferenciação entre a denúncia, participação e queixa.
Foi produzido pela equipa do International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) do Basel Institute on Governance em Moçambique em colaboração com a Procuradoria-Geral da República no contexto do Programa Anticorrupção e Responsabilização, um programa de assistência técnica implementado pelo ICAR, com financiamento da Agência Suíça para o Desenvolvimento e Cooperação (SDC) (Moçambique).
English
This *Guide to Good Practices in Criminal Investigation in Mozambique *is an essential and practical tool for investigators from the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC) in their day-to-day work. It is in line with the Statutory Laws of the National Criminal Investigation Service and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, namely Law n.º 2/2017, of 9 January, and Law n.º 1/2022, of 12 January.
It was developed with the contribution of the Specialised Department for Criminal Affairs of the Attorney General’s Office of Mozambique. This Department is responsible, among other things, for technical oversight over the procedural activities of the subordinate bodies of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. It highlights the importance of close coordination between SERNIC and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Guide to Good Practices in Criminal Investigation covers several topics that are essential for criminal investigators to carry out their duties. It begins by describing the crimes that SERNIC is responsible for investigating; the time limits within which certain procedural acts must be carried out; the crime report; the treatment that must be given to the complaint; and differentiating between the complaint and the report.
It was produced by the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) of the Basel Institute on Governance in Mozambique, with the collaboration of the Attorney General’s Office. The development of the guide took place in the context of the Anti-Corruption and Accountability Programme, a technical assistance programme implemented by ICAR with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Mozambique.
Basel AML Index briefing: FATF grey-listing in Sub-Saharan Africa
This is a Basel AML Index briefing on countries in Sub-Saharan Africa subject to grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) .
The briefing covers the impacts on their economic development, the process of grey-listing and what governments need to do to be removed from the list. It also touches on specific areas of concern for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
About jurisdiction briefings
As part of the FATF assessment process, a jurisdiction may be placed on a “grey list” (subject to increased monitoring) or “black list” (a high-risk jurisdiction subject to a call for action). This follows identified failings in how the jurisdiction addresses its money laundering and terrorist financing risks. Being placed on the FATF’s grey or black lists has a negative impact on a jurisdiction’s investment climate, trade and capital flows.
The Basel AML Index Expert Edition dashboard highlights a jurisdiction’s placement on the FATF grey or black lists for informational purposes, but these lists are not used when calculating its overall risk score.
As an additional service, from June 2022 the Basel AML Index therefore started to publish special briefings on jurisdictions delisted from the grey or black lists. This report on Sub-Saharan Africa complements the jurisdiction-specific briefings.
Learn more about the Basel AML Index at: index.baselgovernance.org
Perda sem condenação na recuperação de ativos: Recomendações da Conferência de Lisboa – 5, 6 e 7 de Julho 2022
Este breve relatório resume as principais recomendações da Conferência de Lisboa sobre o potencial do confisco civil para recuperar bens ilícitos, que teve lugar em Lisboa, Portugal, em 5-7 de Julho de 2022. A conferência reuniu representantes de alto nível de Angola, Cabo Verde, Moçambique e Timor-Leste, juntamente com peritos internacionais.
As recomendações incluem:
- Harmonização da legislação e sua correta aplicação
- Abordagem integrada e coordenação entre as várias instituições
- Rapidez e autonomia
- Cooperação judiciária internacional
- Abordagem multidisciplinar - criação de novos mecanismos
- Investimento na formação
A conferência teve lugar no contexto do programa de Apoio à adopção de legislação de confisco civil como ferramenta para a recuperação de activos. O programa e uma iniciativa do International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) do Basel Institute on Governance, financiado pelo Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs do Departamento de Estado dos EUA, que explora o potencial de inovação na recuperação de bens através de mecanismos de perda/confisco sem condenação.