Macau & São Tomé Sign Anti-Money Laundering Agreement
Macau is strengthening its global financial defenses by entering into a new cooperation agreement with São Tomé and Príncipe to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The partnership aims to streamline the exchange of financial intelligence between the two jurisdictions.
A Growing Network of Financial Security
According to a dispatch published in Macau’s Official Gazette, the memorandum of understanding will be signed with the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. The protocol focuses on sharing critical information to identify and prevent “associated underlying crimes,” including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai has authorized the Secretary for Security, Chan Tsz King, to oversee the agreement, with the possibility of delegating the signing to the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service (SPU), Leong Man Cheong. Macau’s Financial Intelligence Office (GIF), which spearheads the city’s anti-money laundering efforts, operates directly under the SPU.
A Commitment to International Standards
The new partnership comes as Macau continues to bolster its reputation in the international financial community. While a 2022 U.S. State Department report previously labeled Macau a major money laundering jurisdiction, the territory has made significant strides in regulatory compliance. In 2019, Macau became the first member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to achieve full compliance with all 40 international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
This latest agreement follows a similar pact signed with Angola in May 2025. To date, Macau’s GIF has established information-sharing networks with 33 countries and territories, including several Lusophone nations such as Portugal, Timor-Leste, Brazil, and Cape Verde.
Surge in Suspicious Activity Reports
The push for international cooperation arrives as local authorities handle an uptick in internal monitoring. Official GIF data shows that suspicious transaction reports in Macau’s casinos rose by 8.7% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2025. The city’s six casino operators flagged a total of 2,018 reports between January and June.
Broader Cooperation with Lusophone Nations
Beyond financial intelligence, Macau is also deepening ties with Portuguese-speaking countries in the realm of digital security. The territory’s Personal Data Protection Bureau (DSPDP) recently announced upcoming cooperation agreements with both São Tomé and Príncipe and Cape Verde. These accords are designed to bridge the “cooperation chain” between China and Lusophone nations, focusing on data security and the protection of personal privacy.
Image: Pexels – Gary Chan
