The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the standard-setting body which leads global action to tackle money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing, has granted AFI official observer status. The decision was approved at the sixth and final FATF Plenary under the Mexican Presidency, held in Paris from 17 to 19 June 2026.

“Financial inclusion helps fight illicit finance by providing safe and reliable financial services to customers who would otherwise be forced to resort to cash or unregulated financial services,” said AFI Chief Executive Officer, Dr Alfred Hannig. “We thank the FATF and the Mexican Presidency for the confidence placed in AFI, and look forward to continuing our collaboration towards achieving inclusive integrity.”

Advancing financial inclusion has been a key objective of the Mexican Presidency, and has been furthered through the strengthening of FATF’s Recommendation 1 and updated guidance, published last year. AFI looks forward to contributing the perspectives of financial regulators across developing economies to the FATF’s priorities under the incoming UK Presidency.

You can learn more about how financial inclusion supports the FATF’s work in our recent Inside Financial Inclusion podcast episode with FATF President, Elisa de Anda Madrazo.