Dominica has received high ranking among countries in the world fighting financial crime. a report by international advisory firm Secretariat has revealed.
In its inaugural 2025 Secretariat Economic Crime Index (SECI) the organization ranks Dominica number 17 out of 177 countries.
In the Caribbean, only St Vincent ranked higher than Dominica at number 14. Barbados was ranked at number 19.
Because of the high ranking, Dominica was placed in the Transparent Titan top tier category of the SECI.
According to Secretariat, countries in this category show their “levels of transparency, the effectiveness of their anti-crime frameworks, and their overall exposure to economic crime”.
“These nations demonstrate transparency, robust anti-financial crime frameworks, and strong enforcement mechanisms, positioning them as leaders in preventing financial crime,” it said.
“Transparent Titans can serve as models for best practices and aid countries in lower tiers.”
Other countries in the Transparent Titan top tier are Finland, ranked at number one, Denmark (2), Iceland (3), Luxembourg (4), Estonia (5), New Zealand (6), Norway (7), Sweden (8), Uruguay (9), Australia (10), Singapore (11), Lithuania (12), Canada (13), Switzerland (15), Ireland (16), and Slovenia (18).
“Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Estonia rank among the best-governed nations, with strict financial regulations and low corruption levels,” the report stated. Other Caribbean countries are also on the list but they are in the second tier, which according to Secretariat, have “actively implement and evolve measures to address financial crimes and improve regulatory frameworks, proactively strengthening their systems against emerging risks”.
These countries are St. Lucia (30), Grenada (rank 34), the Bahamas (rank 39), Trinidad and Tobago (rank 55), Cuba (rank 70), and Jamaica (rank 73).
Secretariat’s managing director Bhavin Shah said his organization’s inaugural report was designed to serve as a “comprehensive guide to the global financial and economic crime landscape.”
“We aim to empower you, our clients, with the insights necessary to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and safeguard your interests,” he stated in the 41-page report.
“As risk professionals, we understand the global financial system’s persistent and evolving threats. Financial and economic crimes — money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions breaches, bribery, fraud, and market abuse – continue to strain our defenses,” he added.
“Compounding this challenge, the rapid evolution of virtual assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning presents new criminal methodologies and advanced detection tools.”
He pointed out that the report was published at a time when the world was experiencing “significant regulatory flux.”
“Rising economic protectionism, including the resurgence of tariffs and shifting geopolitical priorities, is reshaping enforcement agendas in key jurisdictions,” Shahs said.
“While its long-term effects remain uncertain, the move reflects a broader trend of enforcement recalibration.
These developments underscore the importance of proactive and globally attuned risk assessment. In today’s volatile markets, basic risk checks are insufficient. You require a clear, objective understanding of potential threats. Our report delivers precisely that, providing an in-depth financial and economic crime risk evaluation.”
Read the full report below:
Download (PDF, 4.63MB)
