Tunisian Financial Sector Reports Significant Increase in Suspicious Activity Declarations
The Tunisian financial sector, comprising banks and the National Post Office, submitted 1,230 suspicious activity reports (SARs) to the Tunisian Financial Analysis Commission (CTAF) in 2024, accounting for 84.23% of the total SARs received.
Key Statistics
- The CTAF received a total of 1,236 SARs in 2024, up from 850 in 2023, representing a 45% increase.
- This upward trend, observed since 2022, is primarily attributed to the digitalization of the reporting process in 2021, with the deployment of the GoAML platform, developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the needs of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs).
Increase in Human Trafficking-Related Reports
The report also highlights a rise in the number of reports related to human trafficking, which has been a significant motivator for several SARs received since 2023. Payment institutions recorded 119 reports in 2024, accounting for 9.6% of the total, compared to only 4 in 2023, reflecting their growing exposure to risks associated with human trafficking, particularly through the issuance of international funds.
Low Participation from Non-Financial Businesses
In contrast, the reporting activity of Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (NFBPs) remains very low, with only 3 reports from accountants in 2024, compared to one in 2023, despite several awareness and training campaigns organized by the CTAF and public authorities. This low participation is surprising, given that NFBPs regularly intervene in financial arrangements, company creations, and contracts, often related to cases analyzed by the CTAF.
Breakdown of Report Types
The majority of reports, 99%, fall under SARs and STRs (Suspicious Transaction Reports), related to money laundering. Only 1% of SARs concern terrorism financing (TAR and TFR), linked to the observed decrease in terrorist activity on the ground.
Increase in Suspected Individuals
Finally, the report notes a significant increase in suspected individuals or parties involved in SARs, with 14,506 persons in 2024, compared to 10,830 in 2023, representing a 33.9% increase. The majority, 98.7%, are natural persons (14,315), illustrating the growing complexity of investigations and the increased mobilization of CTAF resources.
