Mauritius is an Africa- and India-facing international financial centre, with companies incorporated at the Registrar of Companies under the Companies Act 2001 and international vehicles licensed by the Financial Services Commission ("FSC"). It is distinctive for the Global Business Company with treaty access and an effective rate of about 3% on qualifying income.
Most international founders use the Global Business Company ("GBC") — FSC-licensed, Mauritius tax-resident, and treaty-eligible — or the Authorised Company (managed outside Mauritius and treated as non-resident); both are incorporated under the Companies Act 2001, alongside the domestic company.
There is no minimum capital (USD 1,000 is advised for a GBC, often denominated in USD). A GBC must have at least two Mauritius-resident directors, a local registered office, and a licensed management company to support substance and tax residency; an Authorised Company is managed and controlled outside Mauritius. Incorporation plus FSC licensing typically takes a few days to two weeks.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority ("MRA") levies corporate tax at 15%, but an 80% partial exemption on specified foreign-source income brings the effective rate to about 3% for a qualifying GBC (an Authorised Company is not taxed in Mauritius on foreign income); there is no capital gains tax and no withholding tax. VAT is 15% (register above MUR 6 million (≈ $130,000)), and a 2% Corporate Climate Responsibility levy applies above MUR 50 million (≈ $1.09 million) turnover. A GBC files audited accounts with the FSC.