Investment Banking Licence

Launch an investment banking platform in a well-regulated, substance-friendly international financial centre connecting Africa and Asia. The Mauritius Investment Banking Licence is issued by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) under the Financial Services Act 2007 and the Financial Services (Investment Banking) Rules 2016.

What is an Investment Banking Licence in Mauritius?
It’s a regulatory authorisation that allows a Mauritian entity to conduct core investment-banking and corporate-finance activities. The framework expressly permits a licensed investment bank to conduct (or be authorised for) activities such as investment dealing (full service, including underwriting), investment advisory (unrestricted and corporate finance), asset management, and distribution of financial products, in line with the relevant Acts and FSC Rules.

Mauritius Investment Banking Licence: End-to-End by Renesis
Renesis Financials guides your Mauritius Investment Banking licence: design optimal permissions and structure; prepare application (business plan, governance, AML/risk) and liaise with the FSC; handle incorporation, substance and secretarial support; establish compliance calendars, charters, reporting and insurance; and provide ongoing compliance, filings, and support for capital markets and cross-border mandates.

Why an Investment Banking Licence in Mauritius?

Strategic location & market access

Time-zone alignment between Asia, Africa and Europe, with established cross-border deal flow and listings infrastructure.

Clear, modern rulebook

Dedicated Investment Banking Rules (2016) sit within the FSC’s integrated supervisory framework.

Substance-ready jurisdiction

The regime expects real presence and Mauritian employment, supporting credibility with regulators and counterparties.

Sound governance culture

The national code of corporate governance underpins board independence and oversight standards.

What activities can an Investment Banking Licence in Mauritius be used for?

Investment Dealer (Full-service dealer including underwriting)

Investment Adviser (Unrestricted)

Investment Adviser (Corporate Finance Advisory)

Asset Management

Distribution of financial services

Distribution of financial products

Key features of the Mauritius Investment Banking Licence

Regulated by the FSC

Regulated by the FSC under the Financial Services Act 2007 and the Financial Services (Investment Banking) Rules 2016.

Multi-permission platform

The licence may encompass (subject to the relevant Acts/Rules) investment dealing (including underwriting), investment advisory (unrestricted / corporate finance), asset management and distribution of financial products.

Strong capital base

Minimum fully-paid, unimpaired stated capital of MUR 50 million, supporting institutional-grade operations.

Robust governance

Minimum five directors with an independence requirement and board committees (e.g., audit, risk, governance).

Clear reporting rhythm

Annual report (incl. audited financials and risk-management report) due within 90 days of balance-sheet date.

Not a deposit-taking bank

Investment banks cannot accept public deposits or conduct “banking business” unless separately licensed by the Bank of Mauritius.

Substance & local employment expectations

Substance & local employment expectations that fit well with client and regulator due-diligence needs.

Who can apply

Must be a Mauritian company or a registered branch of a foreign company; management companies themselves cannot apply.

Activity perimeter

May combine investment dealer (full service incl. underwriting), investment adviser (unrestricted & corporate finance), asset management, and distribution of financial products - plus any FSC-specified activities.

Not deposit-taking

Prohibited from conducting “banking business” unless separately licensed by the Bank of Mauritius.

Shareholder & CEO experience

Majority shareholding must be held by a group with at least one regulated entity (5+ years’ relevant track record); CEO must have 15+ years relevant experience.

Mandatory insurance

Required cover for employee fraud, fraudulent instructions, malicious data corruption/e-transactions, and professional liability.

Annual reporting (90 days):

Governance report, audited risk-management report, IFRS financials (and consolidated statements where applicable), audited by an FSC-approved audit firm.

Application pack essentials

Constitution, governance/internal-procedures manual, and detailed systems for conflicts management, AML/CFT, and client-asset protection.

Change control

Cannot add activities beyond the initial business plan without prior FSC approval.

FAQs about the Investment Banking Licence in Mauritius

Who regulates investment banks?

The Financial Services Commission (FSC) regulates investment banks; the legal basis is Section 79A of the Financial Services Act 2007 and the Investment Banking Rules 2016.

Is this the same as a banking licence from the central bank?

Deposit-taking and retail/private banking are supervised by the Bank of Mauritius under the Banking Act. Investment banks must not accept deposits unless they also hold a BoM banking licence.

What activities are covered?

Corporate finance (M&A, IPOs/listings), underwriting/capital-raising (when authorised as an Investment Dealer – Full Service including Underwriting), investment advisory, asset management and distribution of financial products (subject to the relevant licences/authorisations).

What are the headline prudential expectations?

A minimum MUR 50m stated unimpaired capital, board independence thresholds and clear internal-control, insurance and reporting standards.

Can one entity combine multiple permissions?

The framework allows an investment bank to conduct (or be authorised for) investment dealing, advisory, asset management and distribution, in accordance with the relevant Acts and FSC Rules.

Are physical presence and local hires expected?

Yes - Mauritius positions the licence for real-economy substance with Mauritian employment and local presence.

How long does licensing take?

Timeframes vary by completeness and complexity. Renesis will scope timelines with you at application planning stage.

How Renesis Financials can help in applying for an Investment Banking Licence in Mauritius

Licence strategy & structuring: Map your target business model to the optimal mix of permissions (Investment Banking +, where relevant, Investment Dealer / Investment Adviser / Asset Manager / Distributor).
Application pack & liaison: End-to-end preparation (business plan, governance framework, policies, risk/AML manuals) and front-to-back coordination with the FSC.
Entity setup & substance: Company incorporation, office solutions, local staffing plan, and ongoing corporate secretarial support.
Operational readiness: Compliance calendar, board/committee charters, reporting workflows, and insurance coverage aligned to Rule requirements.
Post-licence support: Ongoing compliance, regulatory filings, and readiness for capital-markets transactions and cross-border mandates.