Top 10 African countries with the highest money laundering risk

They say money makes the world go round, but not all of it moves legally. Every year, trillions of dollars slip through the cracks of financial systems, laundered by criminals, corrupt officials, and illicit businesses.

From drug cartels and cybercriminals to rogue states and tax evaders, money laundering fuels some of the world’s biggest crimes, including terrorism, human trafficking, and political corruption.

Governments, financial institutions, and international watchdogs constantly battle to track and stop these illicit flows, but the challenge remains daunting.

While high-profile cases in Western economies dominate headlines, Africa faces a growing yet often overlooked money laundering crisis. Weak regulatory frameworks, political instability, and cash-driven economies have made the continent a hotspot for illicit financial activities.

Many African countries lack strong anti-money laundering (AML) laws, and even when such laws exist, enforcement is often inconsistent due to limited resources or political interference.

According to the latest Basel AML Index, which assesses money laundering risks globally using 17 indicators across five key domains, several African nations rank among the highest-risk countries.

Per the index, the Democratic Republic of Congo has the highest money laundering risk in Africa, scoring 7.73 and ranking 3rd globally. Chad follows with a risk score of 7.60, placing 4th worldwide, while the Central African Republic ranks third in Africa with a score of 7.49, securing the 7th spot globally.