Seychelles has been named the top-performing African nation in the latest global 2025 Financial Crime Risk Index ranking, recently published by the Basel Institute on Governance.
According to the latest Global Financial Crime Risk Ranking, Seychelles is ranked 22nd globally, surpassing many developed nations such as the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Poland, and the United States.
Within Africa, Seychelles leads as the country with the lowest financial crime risk, followed by Botswana, Mauritius, and Rwanda.
As a member of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Seychelles has set a flagship example for its fellow Small Island States. Despite its small size, the nation continues to make remarkable strides, consistently earning top-tier positions in global indexes, including the Mo Ibrahim Index and Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan welcomed the latest global ranking, noting that this recognition is a strong testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to transparency, financial integrity, and institutional reform.
Ramkalawan commended all stakeholders, particularly the financial regulatory bodies, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary, for their collective efforts in strengthening Seychelles’ anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
“This progress is yet another milestone in our national journey to build a credible, trustworthy, and resilient economy. Just as we made significant strides in the global Corruption Perception Index, this new ranking confirms that our efforts are delivering tangible results,” Ramkalawan.
He added, “We will continue working diligently so that Seychelles is soon removed from the European Union’s grey list.”
Ramkalawan reaffirmed the government’s determination to uphold the highest international standards to ensure Seychelles remains an attractive, secure, and competitive destination for credible investors.
“A healthy and thriving economy depends on strong governance. Our mission remains to protect the integrity of our financial system and inspire investor confidence,” the Seychelles’ president stated.
A statement on Monday said the country’s government “remains committed to sustaining this momentum through continued reforms, capacity-building, and international cooperation in the fight against financial crime.”
