The Mauritian government is accelerating its preparations for an upcoming evaluation by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG). A preparatory workshop is set to take place from December 14 to 18, 2026, for competent authorities and the private sector. The exercise will assess the country's anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing framework.
The ESAAMLG evaluation will examine not only the presence of relevant laws, circulars, and specialized agencies but also the effectiveness of investigations, sanctions, controls, and results obtained. The Mauritian government has acknowledged that the country is entering a critical phase and cannot afford to regress. This statement is seen as a call to action, emphasizing the need for thorough preparation.
There is currently some uncertainty surrounding the evaluation timeline. While some Mauritian communications suggest that the evaluation will take place in 2027, the ESAAMLG calendar indicates a possible on-site visit in January or February 2028, followed by a review of the report later that year. Clarification on the timeline is necessary to ensure that all stakeholders are adequately prepared.
The outcome of the ESAAMLG evaluation has significant implications for Mauritius' financial center. A favorable evaluation will help maintain the trust of correspondent banks and international partners, while significant shortcomings could lead to enhanced controls and increased compliance costs. The financial sector is keenly awaiting the results of the December workshop and the publication of a consolidated evaluation schedule.
During the preparatory workshop, banks, financial professions, and authorities will be required to demonstrate the concrete effectiveness of their controls. This will involve a thorough review of their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures, as well as their ability to implement and enforce relevant laws and regulations.
The Mauritian government has emphasized the importance of being well-prepared for the evaluation, given the potential consequences of a negative assessment. The country's financial sector is working closely with the authorities to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to demonstrate its commitment to combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
The evaluation will assess Mauritius' ability to implement and enforce its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, with a focus on the effectiveness of its controls and the results obtained. The outcome will provide valuable insights into the country's financial sector and its ability to mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Key points
- A favorable ESAAMLG evaluation will support the trust of correspondent banks and international partners in Mauritius' financial center.
- The ESAAMLG evaluation will assess the effectiveness of Mauritius' anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.
- The preparatory workshop is scheduled to take place from December 14 to 18, 2026.
