Financial Services Commission (Mauritius)

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Financial Services Commission (FSC)
Commission des Services Financiers de Maurice
Regulatory authority overview
Formed2001
Jurisdiction Government of Mauritius
Headquarters Ébène, Mauritius
20°14′39.8976″S57°29′25.9476″E / 20.244416000°S 57.490541000°E / -20.244416000; 57.490541000
Minister responsible
Regulatory authority executives
  • Rama Krishna Sithanen, Chairperson (since 9 December 2024)
  • Désiré Vencatachellum, Chief Executive (effective 16 September 2025)
Parent department Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Website www.fscmauritius.org

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) is the statutory regulatory authority in Mauritius for non-banking financial services. It was established in 2001 and is responsible for licensing, regulating and supervising entities operating in insurance, securities, private pensions and global business. [1] The Commission functions under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and derives its authority principally from the Financial Services Act 2007, the Securities Act 2005, the Insurance Act 2005 and the Private Pension Schemes Act 2012. [2]

Contents

History

The FSC was created in 2001 with the objective of consolidating regulation of non-banking financial activities, which had previously been overseen by different bodies. Its establishment was intended to enhance investor protection, improve market oversight and align domestic supervision with international standards. [3] The Financial Services Act 2007 expanded its role, formally establishing the Commission as the integrated regulator for global business and private pension schemes. [1]

Functions

The Commission is mandated to oversee the conduct of non-banking financial institutions in Mauritius. Its responsibilities include licensing regulated entities, monitoring compliance with domestic laws, and supervising operations through both on-site and off-site methods. It also works to ensure conformity with international standards issued by organisations such as the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). [4] In addition, the FSC is tasked with supporting the development of the financial sector while maintaining safeguards against financial crime, including the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures.

Governance

The FSC is governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Minister of Finance. The current Chairperson is Dr. Rama Krishna Sithanen, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius, who assumed office on 9 December 2024. [5] The incoming Chief Executive is Désiré Vencatachellum, whose appointment takes effect on 16 September 2025. [6]

Recent developments

In October 2021 Mauritius was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) "grey list", and in 2022 it was also delisted from the United Kingdom and European Union lists of high-risk jurisdictions. These actions followed reforms to the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework. [4] In 2024 the FSC introduced a streamlined licensing process with reduced processing times, intended to improve regulatory efficiency. [7] According to official figures, the global business sector supervised by the FSC accounts for more than eight percent of Mauritius’ gross domestic product and employs over 5,600 people. [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Who We Are". Financial Services Commission. FSC Mauritius. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  2. "Financial Services Act 2007" (PDF). Financial Services Commission. FSC Mauritius. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  3. "FSC Mauritius Corporate Brochure" (PDF). FSC Mauritius. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Annual Report 2023/24" (PDF). FSC Mauritius. FSC Mauritius. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  5. "Board of the FSC". FSC Mauritius. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  6. "Appointment of FSC Chief Executive" (PDF). FSC Mauritius. FSC Mauritius. 12 July 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Budget 2024/25 – Financial Services Highlights" (PDF). Mauritius International Financial Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2025.