The Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) recently held its 11th Council of Ministers meeting in Grand Baie, Mauritius.

In an address to ESAAMLG, Giancarlo Del Bufalo, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) President, acknowledged the importance of financial inclusion in its complementary role to anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) objectives.

President Del Bufalo reiterated that FATF will keep working on financial inclusion, in particular while addressing issues such as the risk-based approach and new payment methods that have aspects related to financial inclusion.

He also expressed his approval of – and continued interest in – ESAAMLG’s decision to launch a regional project with AFI aimed at promoting financial inclusion.