What's changed in South African AML compliance since the grey list exit

South Africa was removed from the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring on 24 October 2025. That did not loosen anything. The Financial Intelligence Centre has since gazetted a new Risk and Compliance Return directive, finalised revised RMCP guidance, and applied the Travel Rule to crypto asset transfers — and National Treasury published a further draft amendment Bill in January 2026.

Reviewed by TefCo Compliance Research — last verified 7 September 2026.

In short

Grey list exit: 24 October 2025, confirmed by both FATF and the FIC.
Directive 11 set the 2026 Risk and Compliance Return window.
PCC 61, issued March 2026, deals with the Travel Rule for crypto asset transfers.
The General Laws (AML/CTF) Amendment Bill, 2025 was published for comment in January 2026 — a draft, not law.

The grey list exit — and why nothing got easier

FATF removed South Africa from its increased monitoring list at the October 2025 plenary, and the Financial Intelligence Centre confirmed it by media release on the same date. The Centre's own statement immediately pointed to the next mutual evaluation.

For an accountable institution the practical meaning is narrow: correspondent banking friction eases, and supervisory attention does not. The obligations that got South Africa off the list are the ones now being inspected against.

Directive 11 and the 2026 return

The Centre gazetted Directive 11 on 31 March 2026 for the 2026 Risk and Compliance Return, opened submissions on 4 May 2026 and confirmed closing dates of 30 June and 31 July 2026 by category. Supporting public compliance communications set the format and manner of submission.

Guidance Note 7A on the RMCP

The revised Guidance Note 7A was published in final form on 24 February 2025, amending the guidance on the Risk Management and Compliance Programme required by the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001, section 42. If your RMCP predates it, it is out of date.

The Travel Rule for crypto asset transfers

PCC 61, issued on 30 March 2026, deals with the Travel Rule for crypto asset transfers under the Centre's earlier Directive 9 of 2024, aimed at Schedule 1 items covering crypto asset service providers. Originator and beneficiary information has to travel with the transfer.

Still a draft: the 2025 amendment Bill

National Treasury published the draft General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill, 2025 in Government Gazette 53955 on 14 January 2026, with comment closing 13 February 2026. It is a Bill, not law — track it, but do not plan against it as if it were in force.

As at this review date the Bill had not been confirmed as enacted. Verify its status before relying on any provision in it.

Frequently asked

Does the grey list exit change our reporting obligations?

No. Cash threshold, suspicious transaction and terrorist property reporting are unchanged, and the Risk and Compliance Return continues by directive.

Did Schedule 1 change in 2025 or 2026?

No enacted amendment to Schedule 1 was found in that period. The activity has been in directives, guidance notes and the draft Bill.

Sources

TefCo Corporate Compliance (Pty) Ltd is a compliance management platform, not a legal, tax or advisory firm. This guide is general information, not advice. Fees, dates and thresholds change — confirm current figures with the regulator before you rely on them.