Jordan’s efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing are grounded in a firm political and national commitment at the highest levels. Legislative, executive, judicial, regulatory, and security institutions are all involved in implementing this commitment, as combating these crimes is regarded as an essential part of protecting the national economy, safeguarding the integrity of the financial system, and upholding the rule of law. This commitment gives Jordan’s efforts continuity that extends beyond the timelines of international assessments and aligns them with the state’s economic and institutional priorities.
اضافة اعلان
Over the past several years, Jordanian institutions have made extensive efforts to develop the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework. These efforts have included updating legislation, strengthening oversight, improving the capacity of relevant authorities, and developing mechanisms to detect financial crimes and trace their proceeds. They have also involved enhancing cooperation among financial, regulatory, judicial, and security institutions, linking prevention with detection, investigation, prosecution, and law enforcement.
The importance of political commitment lies in unifying the approaches of institutions, coordinating their responsibilities, providing the necessary support to address shortcomings, and ensuring follow-up on implementation. This commitment was demonstrated during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Muhannad Shehadeh and a delegation from the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), headed by Hamed Al Zaabi. Shehadeh affirmed the provision of the necessary resources and the integration of institutional roles in preparation for the mutual evaluation scheduled for 2027–2029.
The National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan and comprising representatives from various government, regulatory, and security bodies, is responsible for formulating policies, approving risk assessments, and strengthening cooperation, while each institution carries out its responsibilities within its respective mandate.
The enactment of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Law No. (20) of 2021 marked an important step in updating the legislative framework, alongside the development of regulatory instructions and systems in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Within this framework, the roles of the Central Bank of Jordan, the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Unit, judicial and security authorities, tax and customs authorities, and bodies supervising financial and non-financial activities all complement one another.
The development of legislation has been accompanied by efforts to implement it and raise compliance levels, which has been reflected in the outcomes of international assessments. In October 2023, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) announced that Jordan had been removed from the list of jurisdictions subject to increased monitoring, commonly known as the “grey list,” after completing its action plan and addressing the identified deficiencies. The outcome reflected the results of a joint national effort.
This achievement carried political and economic significance, demonstrating the state’s ability to translate its commitments into institutional measures that can be assessed and monitored. It also underscored the importance of coordination among the relevant authorities, beginning with the verification of customers’ and beneficial owners’ identities, followed by information sharing and the analysis of suspicious transactions, and ultimately leading to investigations and judicial proceedings related to financial crimes.
Jordan has continued to develop its framework since leaving the grey list. In May 2025, the number of recommendations for which the Kingdom had demonstrated compliance rose to 36 out of 40, compared with 19 recommendations in 2019. This reflects progress in aligning legislation and procedures with international standards, under the follow-up of the National Committee and with the participation of the relevant authorities.
This progress was further reinforced when Jordan assumed the presidency of MENAFATF in 2025, represented by the head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Unit, and hosted the group’s 40th plenary meeting in Amman. This role provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and information and coordinate regional efforts, strengthening the ability of Jordanian institutions to address financial risks that extend beyond national borders.
From an economic perspective, the credibility of the financial system supports the Kingdom’s relations with international financial institutions and enhances the attractiveness of its business and investment environment. Investors assess the soundness of the legal and regulatory environment, the transparency of transactions, and the ability of institutions to protect rights and combat financial crime, alongside indicators such as economic growth, monetary stability, and the cost of doing business. These factors collectively shape investment decisions.
Therefore, political commitment and the integration of efforts among state institutions constitute the foundation for sustaining Jordan’s progress in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. Strengthening this approach enhances the Kingdom’s credibility, safeguards the integrity of its external financial relations, and provides a more reliable environment for the movement of trade and capital, thereby supporting economic reform, attracting investment, and protecting the national economy.
