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Mozambique Boosts Fight Against Financial Crime with Swiss Development Agency’s Support
The Prosecutor General’s Office in Mozambique has secured a second-phase agreement with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to continue building its capacity in investigating and prosecuting corruption and financial crimes until 2027.
Capacity Building Efforts
The technical assistance, provided by the Basel Institute since 2018, will further strengthen the country’s efforts to combat financial crime. The agreement follows a successful first phase of support, which included training for the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Criminal Police. A new guide on best practices in criminal investigation in Mozambique has also been developed, providing essential tools for investigators at the Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC).
Infrastructure Challenges and Corruption Risks
Mozambique’s economy is vulnerable to corruption due to high-value procurement and infrastructure projects. The country faces critical challenges in these areas, which require close cooperation between the public and private sectors.
- A recent meeting of anti-corruption agencies in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) highlighted the need for collective action against corruption in the region.
- Mozambique is also moving towards introducing a new civil confiscation law that would enable the forfeiture of proceeds of crime outside of criminal proceedings.
Analyzing Challenges in Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
A new report from the Basel AML Index has shed light on why many Sub-Saharan African countries, including Mozambique, remain on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. The report identifies key challenges and areas for improvement in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Cross-Agency Training Enhances Skills of Anti-Corruption Practitioners
A recent cross-agency training workshop in Mozambique has enhanced the skills of anti-corruption practitioners to investigate offshore structures used to hide and launder money, as well as request information and evidence from abroad. The workshop is part of a broader effort to strengthen Mozambique’s capacity to combat financial crime.
This article highlights the ongoing efforts by Mozambique and its partners to combat financial crime and corruption in the country. With the support of organizations like the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Mozambique is building its capacity to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, and introducing new laws to tackle corruption risks.