On January 14, 2026, the Ocorian Tower was officially unveiled, posing as a defining milestone in Ocorian’s journey in Mauritius, thus strengthening the country’s growing importance within the Group’s global operating model and leadership structure.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Ocorian’s global Chief Executive Officer, Chantal Free, Minister of Financial Services & Economic Planning Dr. the Honourable Jyoti Jeetun, and Junior Minister of Finance the Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry, thus underscoring the strategic significance of this milestone for both the organisation and the national business ecosystem. Their participation highlighted the importance of sustainable corporate investment, skills development, and quality employment in strengthening the national economy.
The inauguration of Ocorian Tower coincides with two important leadership developments that further underline Ocorian’s confidence in Mauritius, where Novan Maharahaje, hailing from Mauritius, has been appointed the Country Head of Ocorian Mauritius. While Ocorian has also taken the strategic decision to base Mano Mathews, its Global Head of Capability Centres, in Mauritius – a move that elevates the jurisdiction’s role within the Group’s global structure.
A new sustainable workplace
Located in Côte d’Or Technopole, the new headquarters brings together more than 600 professionals in a purpose-built, LEED Gold-certified environment designed to support collaboration, innovation and sustainable growth.
Beyond its physical presence, Ocorian Tower reflects a broader strategic signal: Mauritius is not only a centre of operational excellence, but an increasingly important location for leadership and global capabilities within the Group.
Ocorian has been present in Mauritius for over three decades, steadily expanding its footprint and expertise across fund administration, corporate and trust services, regulatory and compliance support, and global operations. Today, the Mauritius office plays a central role in delivering services to global clients across multiple jurisdictions, particularly supporting investment flows between Africa, Asia, and global markets.
For the Chief Executive Officer of Ocorian, Chantal Free, these developments reflect a deliberate strategic direction.
“Ocorian Tower represents far more than a new workplace; it is a clear statement of intent,” she stated. “By investing simultaneously in infrastructure, local leadership, and global capabilities, we are reinforcing Mauritius’ position at the heart of our organisation. The inauguration of Ocorian Tower, the appointment of a Mauritian country head, and the decision to base a global leadership role here all reflect our confidence in the depth of talent and capability in this market and our long-term commitment to building a future in which Mauritius continues to play a leading role in how we serve clients worldwide.”
The Minister of Financial Services & Economic Planning, Dr. the Honourable Jyoti Jeetun, stated, “The presence of global players like Ocorian in Mauritius is fully aligned with our vision of consolidating the Mauritius IFC as the premier international financial centre in the region, while continuously diversifying our product offering. This new office is also a strong sign of the trust and confidence Ocorian places in the Mauritian jurisdiction. After a turbulent 2025, and with 2026 expected to be equally challenging on the international stage, we anticipate heightened volatility across several market segments. Yet, the key achievements of 2025 give us a solid foundation. The Financial Services Sector Strategy, developed with industry stakeholders, provides a clear roadmap for consolidation and future growth, and the Financial Services Consultative Council is now overseeing its execution.”
“We will continue to strengthen the brand and visibility of the Mauritius IFC in our main markets. Reputation remains central to any financial jurisdiction. Our next Mutual Evaluation will be critical, and we remain fully committed to AML/CFT compliance to avoid falling into the grey list again. At the same time, our engagement with Moody’s reflects our determination to safeguard our investment-grade sovereign rating. Financial services today contribute over 13% of GDP, employ more than 19,000 highly skilled professionals, and account for roughly 65% of corporate tax revenue. Our objective is to ensure that the sector maintains strong growth, remains the first pillar of our economy, and acts as an enabler for innovation and diversification across the island,” Dr. Jeetun said.
“In this context, Ocorian is demonstrating a tangible commitment to implementing our strategic vision. A commitment to substance in Mauritius, as the firm expands value-added services such as wealth management, family offices, fund administration, and sustainable finance. A commitment to addressing the skills gap, through the creation of over 600 local jobs and through its Accredited Employer status with the Corporate Governance Institute. And finally, a commitment to ‘walk the talk’ for Africa,” Minister Jeetun emphasised.
She further pursued, “Ocorian’s focus on specific African markets, many of which remain underexplored, combined with thought leadership such as the Africa Wealth Management Report, positions Mauritius as a credible hub for investment and wealth management across the continent. Ocorian Tower therefore represents more than a new workplace: it is a concrete illustration of confidence in Mauritius, of the growing sophistication of our IFC, and of the opportunities ahead for our economy, our professionals, and our regional positioning.”
For his part, the Honourable Dhaneshwar Damry added, “As we look ahead, 2026 stands as a key year for the local economy, one where growth must translate into jobs, opportunity, and inclusive prosperity. The financial services industry plays a decisive role in that transformation. Not only is it one of our strongest contributors to national growth and employment, but it is now firmly back on a positive trajectory. This momentum is driven largely by our domestic financial services sector, while our international financial centre has been stabilized and is now moving confidently toward new horizons. As a government, our commitment is to maintain an enabling ecosystem, one that safeguards our investment-grade status, manages sovereign and compliance risks responsibly, and supports the consolidation of existing financial products. Yet, in an era of rapid disruption, we must also prepare for what comes next.”
“The future of global finance will be shaped by digital finance and AI on one side and climate finance on the other. Mauritius is uniquely positioned to compete in the Asia-Africa digital finance and AI corridor while also becoming a credible climate finance hub for Africa, Small Island Developing States, and the wider Global South. In that context, Ocorian Tower is more than a building; it is a strong signal of confidence in Mauritius as a modern, competitive, and forward-looking international financial centre. It represents new opportunities for collaboration, value creation, and leadership, and we are pleased to see Ocorian investing in the future of our industry and our country.”
Designed with sustainability and employee well-being at its core, Ocorian Tower forms part of Mauritius’ first green campus office development. The Tower is also embedded within a broader live-work-play ecosystem, with improved public transport connectivity and upcoming amenities including childcare, wellness, and dining facilities. This integrated environment supports work-life balance and enhances Mauritius’ attractiveness as a destination for skilled professionals.
As global markets evolve and regulatory expectations increase, Ocorian’s Mauritius teams remain instrumental in delivering cross-border solutions at scale. With the opening of Ocorian Tower and the strengthening of local and global leadership based on the island, Ocorian reaffirms its long-term partnership with Mauritius as a stable, trusted, and future-ready international financial centre.
