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Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Charles Mhango, has reaffirmed Malawi’s commitment to combating money laundering and other financial crimes, stressing that regional cooperation is key to safeguarding economies.
Speaking in Kigali, Rwanda, at the 26th Council of Ministers’ Meeting of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG), Mhango represented Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, Joseph Mwanamveka. The gathering drew representatives from 22 member states, including Rwanda, Madagascar and Tanzania, to strengthen collective action against money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing.
Mhango said Malawi’s delegation, comprising government officials, the NGO Regulatory Authority and private sector representatives such as banks, reflects the country’s determination to fight financial crime.
He emphasised that tackling financial crime remains a priority for His Excellency President Professor Peter Mutharika.
Highlighting progress since Malawi’s ESAAMLG assessment in 2019, Mhango pointed to strengthened laws and policies, enhanced institutional capacity, and risk assessments. Key measures include the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Policy, approved by Cabinet in 2023, and amendments to the Financial Crimes Act to improve recovery of illicit assets.
Ahead of the Council meeting, Mhango was briefed by senior officials from institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Malawi Revenue Authority, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority, NGO Regulatory Authority and National Intelligence Service.
The briefing reviewed Malawi’s progress and informed the Minister’s interventions at the Council. The meeting also marked a leadership transition, with Rwanda handing over ESAAMLG’s chairmanship to Madagascar for the coming year.
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