Botswana is preparing for the 2027 Financial Action Task Force  FATF mutual evaluation, which would assess the country’s compliance to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related financial crimes.

The Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware told Parliament that as part of the preparations, the national coordination office in collaboration with the Institute of Combating Illicit Financial Flows conducted a national self-assessment in January 2026. 

He said the assessment identified legislative and institutional gaps requiring the reform to strengthen Botswana’s anti-money laundering, counter terrorism framework and to ensure compliance with the revised FATF standards and methodology.

“That is why this Act was identified as one of the priority places of legislation requiring review and amendment. The Act amendment seeks to address deficiencies identified through the National Risk Assessment 2026,” he said when presenting the Societies Amendment Bill of 2026 before Parliament under a certificate of urgency on Thursday. 

He said the Bill, which had since been approved by Parliament, empowers the Registrar of Societies to constructively and effectively exchange information with foreign counterparts on basic information as well as the assessment relating to societies.

It also aims to ensure full adherence to global regulatory and transparency obligations. 

Minister Mokgware said the amendment sought to enhance transparency, facilitate international cooperation and strengthen measures aimed at preventing the misuse of societies for money laundering, terrorism financing and other illicit activities. 

“The proposed Bill aims to amend the Societies Act to align with FATF recommendations, which requires countries to monitor international linkages of local societies as well as to address deficiencies identified towards the implementation of the National Risk Assessment 2026,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware said in order for Botswana to avoid a negative mutual evaluation outcome and loss of the positive rantings, it was necessary to make the amendment to the Act. 

He said Botswana remained committed to be compliant to international best practices, noting that the implementation of the FATF standards required the monitoring and oversight of the non-profit organisations from terrorist financing abuse.

He said Botswana was rated largely compliant for anti-money laundering with Recommendation 8 in 2025, however, the assessment was conducted using the FATF 2023 assessment methodology which had since been changed.

Minister Mokgware said requirements of Recommendation 8 had since been revised under the 2022 agreement methodology, noting that the amended recommendation would be applied during the next round of mutual evaluation.

Rendering his support for the Bill, Okavango West MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga said all governments and institutions had an obligation to exchange information with their counterparts throughout the world.  

He said the police in terms of their international cooperation apparatus through Interpol mainly discharged the duty and privilege to exchange information with international counterparts.

Mr Kapinga also suggested that information should not be shared with countries or governments that would use it to oppress their societies. ENDS