The third edition of the Graduate Programme for Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), aiming to provide graduates with a unique development opportunity and insights pertaining to related regulatory and industry matters, was launched on September 21, in the presence of the Governor at the Bank of Mauritius (BoM), Dr Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor. This year’s edition is being offered for the first time by the Bank of Mauritius, the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC).
In her speech, the Governor recalled that the programme was established with a clear objective, to develop the next generation of AML/CFT professionals by aligning a combination of technical knowledge with practical experience, as its evolution reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of financial crime. What started as a collaboration between the bank and the FSC has expanded to encompass the FCC, bringing together supervision, financial intelligence, and enforcement.
She underlined, “This integrated approach is essential because financial crime does not respect institutional boundaries. Effective prevention, detection, and enforcement depend on cooperation across agencies. Through this programme, graduates will gain exposure to different mandates and perspectives, allowing them to better understand how the three institutions function and work together towards shared objectives.”
The Governor also referred to the jurisdiction, preparing itself for the Mutual Evaluation Review by the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) in 2027, sharing that the preparations are intensifying ahead of a mission scheduled for December this year.
“A mutual evaluation assesses more than laws and regulations. It examines whether institutions can work together to deliver effective outcomes through sound supervision, timely cooperation, and credible enforcement. It is, in many respects, a test of whether the frameworks for AML/CFT and for Countering Proliferation Financing (CPF) work in practice. This is critical for Mauritius. As an International Financial Centre, our success depends not only on efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness, but also on trust. Investors, businesses, and international partners must have confidence in the integrity of the jurisdiction within which they operate. Strong AML/CFT/CPF frameworks are thus essential for the credibility and resilience of our financial system.”
Governor Muthoora Thakoor believes that Mauritius has strived hard to build that credibility and that, currently, it stands among a small group of jurisdictions having achieved Compliant or Largely Compliant ratings on the 40 Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). She added that this reflects years of sustained effort by public institutions, regulators, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector stakeholders. Maintaining and strengthening that position will require continued vigilance, adaptability, and commitment.
She further added: “AML/CFT is about protecting trust. Financial systems function because people trust institutions, transactions, and the rule of law. When that trust is undermined, the costs extend far beyond any individual case of financial crime. They can affect confidence, investment, and economic opportunity. Reason why you play an important role, as over the coming years you will not only acquire technical knowledge and practical experience but also contribute to a broader national objective: safeguarding the integrity and reputation of Mauritius as a trusted international financial centre.”
The Governor has urged the graduates to make the most of the opportunities before them. “Learn from the expertise around you, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and embrace the intellectual rigour that this programme demands. Technical competence is essential, but so too are judgement, integrity, and a commitment to public service,” she added.
