Financial Intelligence Authority-Malawi

21/09/2026

Because sometimes, money tells a story.

Stay informed. Stay Alert. Protect financial integrity.

18/09/2026

DEALERS IN PRECIOUS STONES EQUIPPED WITH AML/CFT SKILLS

Ten compliance officers for the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones (DPMS) in the country have been trained by the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) in Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations. The training took place on 17 September 2026 in Lilongwe.

DPMS classified as reporting institutions under the Financial Crimes Act (FCA) and are required under section 27 of the Act to appoint a compliance officer who is a liason person between the institution and FIA or other supervisory authorities on AML/CFT matters.

FIA's Compliance and Prevention Manager, Maureen Mwalabu, urged the compliance officers to use the knowledge gained to apply appropriate measures on identifying and verifying their customers, understanding red flags and applying risk-based approach in identifying vulnerabilities which are unique to the sector.

“The FIA will continue sensitizing the public as well as the sector players because they are many. Our goal is that compliance officers should be able to understand the red flags and apply appropriate measures on how they can report to FIA after forming a suspicion,” she said.

One of the trainees, Asante Mmanga, a compliance officer of Muuruthi Empire, said the training was important because they have been made aware of their obligations.

Section 27(1)(d) of the FCA requires all reporting institutions to identify, assess and understanding money laundering and terrorist financing risks in regards to its products, services, delivery channels, customers, geographical locations and country risks.

14/09/2026

Know the source
/CFT/CPF

11/09/2026

FIA TRAINS RISK AND COMPLIANCE OFFICERS FOR REPORTING INSTITUTIONS

The Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) has trained two Risk and Compliance Officers from United Civil Servants Sacco (UCSSACCO) and Swift Capital Holdings on how they can implement their compliance management programme as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with obligations of reporting institutions provided for under the Financial Crimes Act.

The training provided the Compliance Officers with practical knowledge and skills to effectively discharge their responsibilities in preventing and detecting financial crimes within their respective institutions.

FIA's Senior Compliance Analyst, Patrick Milanzi, emphasized to the Compliance Officers on the importance of applying a risk-based approach, saying it would help the institutions allocate adequate resources to high-risk areas while applying proportionate measures in lower risk areas.

On her part, Memory Ligowe, risk and compliance officer for Swift Capital Holdings, said the training deepened her exposure to practical insights on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) which are relevant to her current field of work.

“As financial crimes inevitably evolve, our approach to risk and compliance must also evolve. Ideally, staying a step or a few more ahead (is very helpful),” she said.

Among the key areas covered were the role and responsibilities of Compliance Officers, customer due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, identification and reporting of suspicious transactions, record keeping and risk-based approaches to AML/CFT/CPF.

The training also emphasized the critical role played by reporting institutions in safeguarding the integrity of Malawi’s financial system.

Compliance Officers serve as an important link between their institutions and the FIA by ensuring that relevant financial crime risks are appropriately identified, assessed and mitigated.

07/09/2026

We may have different roles, but we are fighting the same financial crimes.

Sometimes the strongest fight is not about who gets the spotlight but about whether the system works.

31/08/2026

Some of the most important work in fighting financial crimes happens away from the cameras

29/08/2026

As reported by Zodiak Online🤝

The government has gazette new measures strengthening customer identification and due diligence for banks and other reporting institutions as part of efforts to combat money laundering and other financial crimes, revoking the 2018 notice on identification documentation.

The measures, contained in two notices issued under the Financial Crimes Act, has set out acceptable identification documents for Malawian and non-Malawian customers and provide threshold under which reporting institutions may apply simplified due to due diligence.

Among other requirements, Malawian citizens will be required to provide valid identification documents, including a national identity card, passport or driver’s licence. Non-Malawian citizens will be required to provide documents such as a passport bearing a valid permit, a refugee identity document or an asylum seeker identity document.

Under the gazetted measures, customers undertaking transactions or accessing financial services will be required to provide valid identification, which reporting institutions must verify through approved databases, biometric systems and other verification mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Alliance Chairperson, Michael Kaiyatsa says the will contribute to the fight against corruption money laundering and fraud, urging banks and other financial institutions to utilize them.

(by Eamon Piringu - Lilongwe:08/28/2026)

27/08/2026

Government issues enhanced measures for customer identification

The Government of Malawi has issued two new notices under the Financial Crimes Act (Cap. 7:07), aimed at strengthening customer identification and due diligence requirements for reporting institutions.

The Financial Crimes (Official or Identification Documents) Notice, 2026 outlines acceptable identification documents for Malawian and non-Malawian customers and requires reporting institutions to verify customer identities through approved databases, biometrics and other verification mechanisms.

The Notice also revokes the 2018 notice on identification documentations.

On the other hand, the Financial Crimes (Thresholds for Simplified Due Diligence) Notice, 2026 sets thresholds under which reporting institutions may apply simplified due diligence measures on their customers.

The notices were published in the Malawi Gazette on 21 August 2026.

You can access the document via FIA’s website www.fia.gov.mw

26/08/2026

As captured by Times 360 Malawi

24/08/2026

What you see is not always the whole story. Being suspected, investigated, arrested, charged and convicted are different stages.