Article by Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos/images courtesy of Freepik
The covert movement of money and resources used to support terrorism is one of the most urgent challenges faced by countries worldwide. This process is known as “terrorist financing,” involving raising, transferring, storing and utilising legal and illegal funds or assets to assist a terrorist, a terrorist group or related activities. Whether this support passes through formal banking systems or informal channels, it can reach any part of the globe.
Terrorist organisations require substantial financial resources to execute attacks and sustain their operations and secure funding through both legitimate and illicit channels. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of how these groups acquire funds is essential for crafting effective policies that can disrupt their financial networks and, in turn, hinder their operational capabilities.
The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) in South Africa states that understanding and tackling the threat of terrorist financing begins with recognising its core components: threats, vulnerabilities and consequences. The threats involve the individuals and organisations actively participating in terrorist acts or the financial support of those acts. These actors are not always obvious; some work quietly within communities or businesses, blending into society while serving dangerous causes.
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[This is only an extract of an article published in Servamus: September 2025. This article is available for purchase.]