Mauritius Global Business Companies: substance, licensing and banking
Mauritius is a base for companies investing into Africa and Asia. A Global Business Company holds an FSC licence and must show substance in Mauritius. Banks and providers check that substance, the company's owners and the purpose of every flow.
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A private equity fund sets up a Mauritius GBC to hold investments in East African businesses. A licensed management company in Ebène administers it, two resident directors sit on its board, and board meetings happen in Mauritius. When the GBC opens accounts, each provider asks for the FSC licence, the directors' details, the beneficial owners and a map of expected flows by country.
The GBC
Mauritius replaced its earlier GBC1 and GBC2 categories in 2019 with a single Global Business Company category, licensed by the Financial Services Commission (FSC). GBCs carry out international business, investment holding, treasury and similar activities.
Substance
GBCs must meet substance requirements, including:
- at least two directors resident in Mauritius,
- board meetings and management decisions in Mauritius,
- a bank account in Mauritius,
- accounting records kept in Mauritius,
- for some activities, minimum local expenditure and employees.
Substance also underpins treaty access and the partial exemption regime.
Banking
Banks and providers review:
- The Global Business Licence and constitutional documents.
- Directors and beneficial owners, matching the FSC's records.
- The management company's role.
- A clear description of investments and flows by country and currency.
Currencies
GBCs commonly hold dollars, euros and other currencies for investments and distributions. The Mauritian rupee is used mainly for local costs.
Paying into Mauritius: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | MauCAS instant payments |
| Run by | Bank of Mauritius |
| Settlement | Seconds, 24/7 |
Source: Bank of Mauritius: MauCAS. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Mauritius GBCs, with the document list shown up front and a decision aimed within three business days. Approved companies get US account details on every plan, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, and payouts in 120+ countries. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.
Questions people ask
What is a Mauritius GBC?
A company holding a Global Business Licence from the Financial Services Commission, used for international business, investment and holding activities.
What substance does a GBC need?
At least two resident directors, board meetings and management in Mauritius, a local bank account, accounting records in Mauritius and, for some activities, minimum local expenditure and employees.
Who administers a GBC?
A management company licensed by the FSC, which also acts as the company's point of contact with the regulator.
Can a GBC hold accounts in several currencies?
Yes. GBCs commonly hold dollars, euros and other currencies.
Sources
William covers what happens once a company starts moving money: getting the business verified, paying contractors and suppliers abroad, and keeping card spend under control. William writes for the founder or finance lead who has to make it work this week, and links every rule cited to the text it comes from.
More from William Sunjo M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
- mauritius
- gbc
- fsc
- substance
- business account
- holding company
