Mauritius releases its Second NRA on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing – May 2025

May 2025 - The Ministry of Financial Services and Economic Planning of Mauritius has released the Second National Risk Assessment (NRA) on Money Laundering (ML) and Terrorist Financing (TF).

• The Overall Money Laundering Risk = Medium-High.
• The Overall Terrorist Financing Risk = Medium-Low.

This public report aims to strengthen the country's AML/ CFT framework by highlighting:

1. Key threats and vulnerabilities identified
2. Economic sectors exposed to higher ML/TF risks
3. Strategic priorities for risk mitigation
4. Developments since the first NRA conducted in 2019 - https://financialservices.govmu.org/Documents/NRA%20Report/Public%20Report%202019-compressed.pdf
5. The growing role of financial technology and international cooperation

The Overall Money Laundering Risk = Medium-High.

1. This rating was based on the National ML Threat and National ML Vulnerability,  each assessed as Medium-High.
2. ML threats originated from domestic and international predicate offences, with external threats, primarily linked to FRAUD, CORRUPTION, and TAX EVASION, posing a greater risk due to Mauritius's open economy.
3. At the domestic front, the NRA findings identified DRUG TRAFFICKING, FRAUD, and ILLEGAL BOOKMAKING as the top three crimes generating illicit proceeds in the country.
4. The national ML vulnerability of Medium-High was informed by a combination of the national ML combatting ability, which was rated Medium, and the overall sectoral ML vulnerability, which was rated High.

The Overall Terrorist Financing Risk = Medium-Low.

1. This rating was derived from a combination of both the National TF Threat and the National TF Vulnerability, which were both rated Medium-Low.
2. While no active terrorist organisations or individuals have been identified, there were indications that extremist ideologies and propaganda influenced some individuals, and the number has slightly increased in the past years.
3. Authorities remained vigilant, closely monitoring potential TF risks and taking preventive action under existing legislation.
4. Given Mauritius's status as an International Financial Centre (IFC), the Government acknowledged its potential vulnerability to TF abuse and continues implementing robust safeguards to mitigate these risks.

THE NRA = https://financialservices.govmu.org/Documents/AnnualReport/NRA_Public_Report.pdf