The Financial Intelligence Agency receives suspicious transaction reports, suspicious activity reports, threshold reports, and other relevant information submitted by reporting entities, competent authorities, and other stakeholders. This function forms the first stage of the financial intelligence process and provides the Agency with information that may indicate possible money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, or other financial crime risks.
Reports and information received by the Agency assist in identifying unusual financial behaviour, suspicious patterns, and emerging risks within Botswana’s financial system. These submissions are an important source of intelligence and support the Agency’s mandate to safeguard the integrity of the financial system.
What the Agency Receives
The Agency receives different types of reports and information, including suspicious transaction reports, suspicious activity reports, threshold reports, and other disclosures required by law or submitted by relevant stakeholders. Reporting entities are expected to submit accurate, complete, and timely information to support effective review and analysis.
The information received may relate to individuals, businesses, transactions, accounts, patterns of activity, or other matters that may require further examination by the Agency.
Confidential Handling of Information
All information submitted to the Agency is handled with strict confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism. The Agency applies secure processes to receive, manage, and protect information in line with its legal mandate and operational standards.
Confidentiality is essential to protect reporting entities, individuals, investigations, and the overall financial intelligence process. Information received is only used for authorised purposes and is shared where appropriate with competent authorities in accordance with the law.
Review and Processing
Once information is received, the Agency reviews and processes the submission to determine its relevance, completeness, and potential intelligence value. This may include checking whether the report contains sufficient detail, identifying possible risk indicators, and determining whether further analysis is required.
Where necessary, the Agency may conduct additional intelligence development or request further information from relevant parties. Information that meets the required threshold may be analysed further and, where appropriate, referred to competent authorities for possible investigation or action.
Why Receiving Reports Matters
Receiving reports enables the Agency to detect and understand possible financial crime risks at an early stage. It also helps build a broader picture of threats, trends, and vulnerabilities affecting Botswana’s financial system.
Through effective receipt and handling of reports, the Agency supports national efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation financing, and related financial crimes.
