The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa has published revised procedures for its third round of AML/CFT/CPF mutual evaluations and follow-up, setting the framework for how member states will be assessed against the Financial Action Task Force standards and methodology. The procedures confirm that reviews will assess both technical compliance and the effectiveness of national AML/CFT/CPF systems, and that GIABA’s process should be applied alongside the FATF universal procedures, with limited procedural flexibility and alignment to FATF high-level principles for regional bodies. The framework covers the full assessment cycle, including risk-based scoping, on-site visits, report drafting, plenary adoption, publication and post-plenary quality and consistency review. It also narrows the technical compliance review in a mutual evaluation to recommendations affected by legal, regulatory or operational changes since the last review, or by changes in FATF standards, while effectiveness will still be assessed across all 11 Immediate Outcomes. The procedures set out how GIABA will sequence evaluations based on factors such as time since the last mutual evaluation, follow-up status, International Cooperation Review Group status, and the size of the economy and financial sector. They also define follow-up tracks and escalation points, including enhanced follow-up for members with weaker technical compliance or effectiveness results and referral to FATF ICRG where deficiencies meet specified thresholds. Under the new framework, GIABA expects countries within three years of a mutual evaluation to have fully or largely addressed all key recommended actions, improved recommendations rated non-compliant or partially compliant, and reflected any revised FATF standards. The procedures also provide for escalating measures where progress is insufficient, including high-level missions, formal statements on inadequate compliance and possible consideration of membership suspension or withdrawal under the GIABA Statute.
Inter Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)2026-01-01
Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa revises third round mutual evaluation and follow-up procedures
The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa has issued revised procedures for its third round of AML/CFT/CPF mutual evaluations and follow-up. The framework sets risk-based rules for assessments, limits technical compliance reviews to changed areas, and defines thresholds for enhanced follow-up and FATF ICRG referral. It also expects members to address key recommended actions within three years and allows escalation if progress is insufficient.