• Introduction of a Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance certified by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland
As Mauritius continues to strengthen its position as an international financial centre, a new strategic step has been taken in the development of local capabilities. A partnership between Belstar Training Centre and KCB (Kensington College of Business UK), programmes from the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) was inked on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Royal Green. The aim is to help ensure that programmes from the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) are now more accessible to professionals in Mauritius, directly contributing to the upskilling of the financial services sector.
The event saw the presence of Dr Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, and Dr Kaviraj Sukon, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, alongside Patrick Courtney, Head of Membership at CGIUKI, Neill McWilliams, CEO and Programmes Director of KCB Global, and Tega Appavou, Chairman of Belstar Training Centre, Mauritius.
In an impactful keynote address, the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Dr Jyoti Jeetun, shared: “Mauritius has spent more than three decades building its International Financial Centre into a credible and respected jurisdiction. Today, the financial services sector represents more than 12% of our GDP, employs over 36,000 professionals directly and indirectly, and remains the country’s largest contributor to corporate tax revenues. This success did not happen by chance. It is the result of sustained work, strong institutions, a credible regulatory framework, and the continuous development of local expertise. At the same time, the sector is evolving rapidly.”
She added, “Compliance, risk management, and governance have become central pillars of competitiveness, while emerging areas such as FinTech, digital assets, and sustainable finance are reshaping the global financial landscape. Mauritius must therefore continue to strengthen its ecosystem, remain aligned with evolving FATF standards, and ensure that its workforce remains future-ready.It is precisely in this context that partnerships such as the one between Belstar Training Centre and Kensington College of Business become so important. By combining internationally recognised expertise with innovative learning tools and local relevance, this initiative will help strengthen the capabilities of Mauritian professionals and contribute directly to the long-term resilience, credibility, and competitiveness of our financial services sector.”
In his remarks, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research Dr Kaviraj Sukon, stated: “Through the introduction of stackable micro-credentials, stronger international partnerships and a more agile higher education framework, Mauritius is creating the right conditions to become a recognised regional education hub. Collaborations such as the one between Belstar Training Centre, KCB Global, and the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland are essential in bridging the gap between academia and industry, while opening new opportunities for learners and professionals across Mauritius, Africa, and the Indian Ocean region. The government remains committed to ensuring that tertiary education, professional training, and research become key pillars of national growth and economic transformation. Initiatives like this are therefore fully aligned with our vision of building a knowledge-driven economy supported by strong international partnerships, innovation, and skills development.”
The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) holds global importance as a premier qualifying and membership body, setting international standards for governance, risk, and compliance for over 130 years. As part of a global network of 40,000 professionals, CGIUKI establishes the benchmarks for company secretaries and governance practitioners worldwide.
As the country consolidates its status as an International Financial Centre (IFC), expectations around compliance, governance and risk management have reached unprecedented levels. Organisations operating in financial services, global business, as well as emerging sectors such as fintech and ESG, face increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Delivered in a hybrid format, the programme combines global expertise with local contextualisation and is designed to address a clearly identified skills gap in the market.
Chairman of Belstar Training Centre, Tega Appavou, emphasised: “This partnership meets the evolving needs of the financial services sector in Mauritius. As the country strengthens its position as a compliant and transparent international financial centre, there is an urgent need to modernise governance education. Through the introduction of the Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance, certified by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, we are creating more accessible and structured pathways for professionals to strengthen their expertise and support the long-term resilience of our institutions. Governance today extends far beyond compliance alone; it is about building trust, reinforcing accountability and ensuring sustainable growth across organisations and sectors. Governance reminds us constantly that the trajectory matters as much as the target. At Belstar, we firmly believe that investing in internationally recognised, locally relevant education is essential to preparing the next generation of governance professionals who will help position Mauritius as a credible, agile, and forward-looking international financial centre.”
On the other hand, CEO and Programmes Director of KCB Global, Neill McWilliams, stressed: “Mauritius is an ambitious and fast-growing financial centre, and strengthening governance capabilities is essential to its continued success. As a global organisation committed to advancing governance standards, KCB has identified a clear opportunity to support this growth by expanding access to high-quality, internationally recognised training. Our collaboration will make Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland programmes more accessible to professionals in Mauritius while also improving student support, learning outcomes, and industry relevance. What makes this initiative particularly important is its alignment with the needs of the Mauritian market, with programme content adapted to local legislation, regulations and operational realities. We see strong demand from employers for structured governance and compliance pathways, and we believe this partnership represents the beginning of a broader journey to help develop the next generation of governance and compliance professionals in Mauritius.”
While the Head of Membership at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, Patrick Courtney, remarked: “We strongly believe that quality and transformation are at the heart of professional education. Through this partnership, Mauritian professionals now have greater access to internationally recognised governance and compliance qualifications that meet rigorous global standards while remaining relevant to the local regulatory and business environment. Good governance is no longer optional in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape; it is a strategic necessity for organisations seeking resilience, credibility, and sustainable growth. Beyond technical knowledge, these programmes help professionals develop the confidence, judgement, and ethical mindset required to lead responsibly and contribute meaningfully within their organisations. Mauritius already has a strong and growing governance community, and we are encouraged by the commitment shown by employers and professionals alike to invest in continuous learning. This represents an important step in strengthening governance culture and supporting the future development of Mauritius as a trusted international financial centre.”
The launch also brought together professionals from the financial services sector, who welcomed the initiative and highlighted the growing importance of internationally recognised governance and compliance training for the continued development of Mauritius as a trusted financial centre. Managing Director of IQ-EQ for Mauritius, Rehma Imrith, commented: “These types of training programmes play a critical role in compliance and governance by sustainably strengthening local capabilities in key areas such as AML/CFT, corporate governance, and risk management. This partnership provides a concrete response to the skills gap currently observed in the Mauritian market. By offering both foundational certifications for new entrants and internationally recognised qualifications for more experienced professionals, this initiative contributes to the professionalisation of talent and helps raise industry standards. For IQ-EQ, investing in high-level certified training not only strengthens the management of operational and regulatory risks, but also supports Mauritius’ positioning as a credible, transparent jurisdiction aligned with international best practices, an issue that becomes even more important ahead of the ESAAMLG mutual evaluation scheduled for 2027.”
