Algeria’s Exit from FATF Grey List Reflects Impact of Governance Reforms, Says Saihi

By Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS — Algeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list reflects the effectiveness of a broad reform agenda aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the protection of public funds, Labour, Employment and Social Security Minister Abdelhak Saihi said on Monday.

Speaking at the opening of a training session dedicated to labour inspectors on corruption prevention and anti-corruption mechanisms, organised in coordination with the High Authority for Transparency, Prevention and Fight Against Corruption, Saihi said the achievement constitutes international recognition of the measures adopted by the Algerian state to reinforce compliance, oversight and integrity standards.

According to the minister, the development demonstrates the effectiveness of reforms undertaken in recent years to improve governance practices and strengthen institutional credibility. He said Algeria’s exit from the FATF grey list reflects both the strong political commitment of the state and the collective mobilisation of national institutions in implementing international standards related to transparency and anti-corruption.

Saihi stressed that preventing corruption cannot be the responsibility of a single institution or sector, describing it instead as a collective endeavour requiring the participation of all stakeholders. In this context, he highlighted the strategic role played by labour inspectors as representatives of state authority in the field and as guarantors of compliance with labour legislation, social security regulations and the protection of workers’ rights.

He argued that the integrity and professionalism of labour inspectors remain essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the inspection system, calling on officials to uphold the highest standards of impartiality, vigilance and professional ethics in the performance of their duties.

The minister noted that the training programme aims to strengthen inspectors’ legal and professional knowledge regarding corruption prevention mechanisms and national anti-corruption frameworks, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their field interventions and oversight responsibilities.

Saihi also praised the role of the High Authority for Transparency, Prevention and Fight Against Corruption in supporting institutional capacity-building efforts, describing its contribution to training initiatives as a valuable addition to efforts aimed at consolidating a culture of integrity, transparency and good governance across public institutions.

For her part, High Authority President Salima Mesrati commended the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security to embed transparency and integrity principles across its activities and programmes.

Mesrati said the training initiative reflects growing institutional awareness of the importance of corruption prevention as a key mechanism for safeguarding public institutions and strengthening public confidence in state structures.

She also praised the ministry’s participation in national initiatives designed to advance integrity and good governance standards, notably through its contribution to the implementation of integrity indicators and efforts to strengthen preventive approaches within administrative structures.

Mesrati said Algeria’s removal from the FATF grey list represents the culmination of deep reforms implemented over recent years and the direct result of coordinated efforts by national institutions to align the country’s regulatory and governance frameworks with international standards governing transparency, integrity and anti-corruption practices.

The training session brought together labour inspectors from across Algeria and focused on several themes, including the legal and institutional framework for corruption prevention, mechanisms for strengthening transparency in oversight activities, and best practices for protecting public institutions and improving governance standards.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance the professional capabilities of labour inspectors and strengthen their contribution to protecting workers’ rights, supporting the national economy and promoting a culture of integrity within public administration.