ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar has taken over the leadership of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) for a one-year term running from September 2026 to August 2027.

The leadership change was formalised during ESAAMLG meetings in Kigali, Rwanda, held from August 31 to September 4. Madagascar’s Economy and Finance Minister Herinjatovo Aimé Ramiarison will chair the organisation’s Council of Ministers.

The new regional responsibility places Madagascar at the centre of efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and illicit financial flows.

Madagascar has outlined four priorities for its mandate, including supporting the organisation’s third mutual-evaluation cycle and strengthening action against illicit financial flows linked to natural resources and environmental crime.

The country also plans to improve statistical case management and strengthen risk-based supervision of financial institutions and virtual-asset service providers, reflecting growing concerns surrounding new forms of financial crime.

Madagascar’s Financial Intelligence Service, SAMIFIN, will also take a senior regional role, with its director general Haja Lalao Razanamanana heading the Task Force of Senior Officials.

The leadership role gives Madagascar an opportunity to strengthen its regional diplomatic influence while demonstrating its own commitment to financial transparency and good governance.

The country is scheduled to host the next ESAAMLG Council of Ministers meeting in August 2027, providing another major regional platform for Madagascar.

The coming year will test Madagascar’s ability to turn its new regional leadership into stronger cooperation against financial crime and illicit capital flows.