National Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment of Mauritius

Robust anti-money laundering (AML) and combatting the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures are imperative in protecting Mauritius as a leading International Financial Centre, recognised for its socio-economic stability, good governance and strong institutions.

Recommendation 1 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) calls upon countries to identify, assess and understand their money laundering and terrorist financing risks. It further states that countries should take action, including designating an authority or mechanism to coordinate actions to assess risks, and apply resources in order to ensure the risks are mitigated effectively.

1. Second Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment of Mauritius (2025)

Mauritius has conducted its second National Risk Assessment (NRA) on Money Laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF).

The second Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment (NRA) of Mauritius covers the period January 2018 to December 2024 and provides -

• A detailed snapshot of ML/TF activity, at national and sectoral levels for the period January 2018 to June 2022; and
• Major developments, including updated assessments on emerging threats for the period July 2022 to December 2024.

The NRA used the revised National ML and TF Risk Assessment Tool developed and provided by the World Bank, which included revised modules on National TF threat and vulnerability, along with a new module on TF sectoral risk. In accordance with the World Bank Tool, the following factors were assessed: 

• The scale and characteristics of the proceeds of criminal activities from both internal and external sources;
• The scale and characteristics of TF in Mauritius;
• The weaknesses or gaps in the ability of Mauritius to combat ML and TF; and
• The ML and TF weaknesses or gaps arising from the financial services sector as well Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in the country.

The  Second NRA Public Report of Mauritius can be downloaded here. 

2. Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment of Mauritius (2019)

The main objective of the first National Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment (NRA), was to provide Mauritius with an effective pathway to implementing a risk-based AML/CFT regime, through the efficient allocation of resources and the adoption of measures to prevent and mitigate ML and TF.

The NRA exercise for Mauritius was carried out using:

• the National Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risk Assessment Tool, developed and provided by the World Bank; and
• findings from the Mutual Evaluation Report of Mauritius, conducted by ESSSAMLG and published in July 2018, as they investigate the effectiveness of the country’s AML/CFT measures.

The NRA provides Mauritius with an opportunity to strengthen coordination amongst relevant authorities and government agencies, in order to effectively focus resources necessary in combatting money laundering and terrorism financing.

The first NRA Public Report of Mauritius can be downloaded here.