Why Choose Mauritius?

Mauritius: Africa's Premier International Financial Centre

Mauritius has established itself as one of the world's most attractive jurisdictions for international business. Consistently ranked #1 in Africa for ease of doing business (World Bank), economic freedom (Heritage Foundation), and governance (Mo Ibrahim Foundation), this island nation of 1.3 million people punches well above its weight in global finance and investment.

The country's appeal rests on a powerful combination of factors: a competitive tax regime with effective rates as low as 3% for Global Business Companies, a robust legal framework based on English common law, an extensive network of 45+ double taxation agreements, strategic positioning as a gateway to Africa and Asia, and an exceptional quality of life that attracts talent and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Key Advantages

Political and Economic Stability

Mauritius has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy since independence in 1968 — one of only a handful of African nations with this distinction. The country has a multi-party political system, regular free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, free press, and strong institutions. This political stability translates directly into business confidence: investors know that the rules of the game will not change overnight, contracts will be enforced, and property rights will be respected.

Economically, Mauritius has successfully diversified from a sugar-dependent economy to a services-driven economy. The financial services sector now accounts for approximately 12% of GDP, alongside tourism, ICT, manufacturing, and real estate. The country maintains investment-grade credit ratings and has no exchange controls — capital flows freely in and out of Mauritius.

International Recognition and Compliance

Mauritius takes its international reputation seriously and actively maintains compliance with global standards:

• OECD — Mauritius is a member of the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes and has been rated "Largely Compliant" in its peer reviews
• EU — Mauritius is not on the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions (blacklist or grey list). It was briefly on the grey list but was removed after implementing reforms
• FATF — Mauritius is not on the FATF grey list. It has strengthened its AML/CFT framework to meet all FATF recommendations
• FATCA/CRS — Mauritius has implemented both FATCA and CRS for automatic exchange of financial information
• BEPS — Mauritius has adopted the OECD BEPS minimum standards and is a member of the Inclusive Framework on BEPS

The Workforce

Mauritius boasts a highly educated, bilingual workforce. English is the official language of business and government, while French is widely spoken in daily life. Many professionals also speak Hindi, Mandarin, and other languages, reflecting the country's multicultural heritage. The financial services sector employs over 15,000 professionals, many of whom hold international qualifications such as ACCA, CFA, CPA, and LLM from recognised universities.

The University of Mauritius and several private institutions produce a steady stream of graduates in accounting, finance, law, and IT. The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) coordinates training initiatives to ensure the workforce meets the evolving needs of the financial services industry.

Quality of Life

Beyond its business advantages, Mauritius offers an exceptional quality of life that attracts professionals and their families:

• Climate — Tropical maritime climate with warm temperatures year-round (20-30°C), ideal for outdoor activities
• Safety — One of the safest countries in Africa with low crime rates and a stable social environment
• Healthcare — Modern public and private hospitals, with several private facilities offering international-standard care
• Education — International schools following British, French, and IB curricula. Several universities offering recognised degrees
• Connectivity — Direct flights to major cities in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Modern telecommunications infrastructure
• Lifestyle — World-class beaches, golf courses, water sports, nature reserves, and a vibrant multicultural food scene

For more information about relocating to Mauritius, see our comprehensive expatriation guide.

Getting Started