The fourth edition of the annual conference of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Mauritius took place on 22 and 23 October 2026 at the Hilton hotel in Flic en Flac. Held under the theme “Beyond Assurance: Building Trust, Resilience and Value Together”, the event brought together 150 professionals from internal audit, governance, risk management, accounting and sustainability to discuss the future challenges facing Mauritian businesses. The speakers included several renowned figures, among them Dr Claudelle Von Eck, former CEO of IIA South Africa; Marc Israel, former Chief Transformation Officer at Microsoft; Drudeisha Madhub, the Data Protection Commissioner of Mauritius; Sheila Ujoodha, CEO of the Mauritius Institute of Directors; and Manish Bundhun, Chief People Executive of ER Group, among others.
In an environment shaped by the rise of artificial intelligence, geopolitical tensions, increasingly sophisticated cyber threats and evolving fraud risks, internal audit is called upon to play a vital role in the evolution of local organisations. While ensuring compliance and identifying weaknesses within companies, it must also help anticipate risks and inform the decisions of business leaders.
“In the face of rapid changes in our environment, internal audit must go beyond control and compliance to bring real value to organisations. Our role is to help strengthen the trust and resilience of businesses. This requires close collaboration between those involved in governance, risk management and performance,” stated Valery Modeste-Jacob, President of IIA Mauritius, in her address.
Giving audit a human dimension
The theme of this edition invited professionals in the field to move beyond traditional approaches and adopt a vision that is more closely connected to the realities of businesses. This notably involves challenging preconceived ideas, integrating new technologies while understanding the associated risks, and encouraging constructive exchanges, including when these challenge established practices.
However, this evolution must not come at the expense of the profession’s fundamental principles, the speakers stressed. Integrity, independence, objectivity, critical thinking and accountability remain essential to preserving the credibility of internal audit and the trust of stakeholders.
The conference also highlighted the human dimension of governance and organisational performance. Beyond the analysis of figures, rules and procedures, understanding human behaviour is essential to better grasp the challenges organisations face.
A commitment to governance in Mauritius
Through this fourth edition, IIA Mauritius reaffirms its commitment to bringing professionals together, promoting knowledge sharing and contributing to the development of governance practices suited to today’s challenges. The association’s annual conference has established itself as a platform for exchange and reflection for a professional community that is called upon to work in an increasingly cross-functional manner.
As organisations transform ever more quickly, internal audit is called upon to strengthen its contribution and reinvent its processes, in order to offer businesses a solid foundation built on trust, resilience and value creation.
