Ethiopia Pushes for Stronger Regional Action Against Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing

Addis Ababa, August 27, 2025 (ENA)—Ethiopia has called on countries to make combating money laundering their top priority and stressed the need to advance innovative endeavors to tackle terrorism financing in the continent.

The 50th Task Force of Senior Officials Meeting of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) is convening in Addis Ababa.

ESAAMLG is a regional organization of 21 member countries, including Ethiopia, with its headquarters in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The group is primarily dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing among its members.

Opening the meeting, Head of the Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet Affairs Minister Alemtsehay Paulos highlighted the critical importance of robust cooperation among member countries to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.

Alemtsehay, who is Chairperson of Ethiopia’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Committee, emphasized that member countries should consult on challenges and develop joint solutions.

She particularly emphasized the importance of cooperation, accountability, and technical expertise.

Given that money laundering and terrorism financing have become pressing issues, the Chairperson urged member countries to demonstrating a shared commitment to modernizing the financial system and promoting good governance by curbing illicit money flows.

Most importantly, Alemtsehay emphasized that advancing innovative solutions to combat money laundering and counter terrorism is essential.

Speaking on Ethiopia’s efforts to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, she noted that the country has made it a priority under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, adding that the task is a national agenda.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ethiopia has placed anti-money laundering counter-terrorism financing committee reform as the core of the reform government agenda. To ensure sustained political commitment, the National Anti-money Laundering Counter Terrorist Committee was established, bringing 23 national institutions under a whole of government approach.

The committee provides strategic guidance, interagency coordination and oversight of Ethiopia's anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing agenda,” she said.

 

Alemtsehay further stated that through this mechanism, Ethiopia has been able to drive legal reforms, strengthen the financial intelligence units, enhance the capacities of supervisory authorities and law enforcement, and promote assistance enforcement of anti-laundry and counter-terrorism financing measures.

On her part, Executive Secretary of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Fikile P. Zitha stressed the need to effectively address the challenge and change the narrative associating the region with money laundering and terrorist financing.

​​​​​“This can only be achieved through strong coordination and collaboration among our countries. We must move beyond the traditional approach…..and work together as one for the benefit of our nations,” she indicated.

She also called for genuine cooperation among nations and governments to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.