1. Could you start by giving us an overview of Intercontinental Trust and its key areas of expertise within Mauritius’ financial services landscape?
Intercontinental Trust, or ITL, was established in 1999 and is a Management Company licensed by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius. We provide a comprehensive range of corporate, fiduciary, fund administration, tax and accounting services to both international and local clients. Our core expertise lies in setting up and administering a variety of investment vehicles - including companies, SPVs, funds, trusts, partnerships and foundations, using Mauritius as a platform for cross-border investment. Our client base includes some of the most prominent global institutions, investment banks, African private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals
2. As one of the leading management companies in Mauritius, how has Intercontinental Trust contributed to the country’s growth as a reputable international financial centre?
At Intercontinental Trust, we have always looked to leading jurisdictions such as Singapore, London, and Dubai as benchmarks, where these jurisdictions offer a full ecosystem of value-added services beyond incorporation. We aim to emulate this model.
That’s why, in addition to the services I mentioned, our group has expanded into key areas such as corporate finance, tax services, ESG consulting, and compliance services. While ITL itself has a team of around 200 employees, our group as a whole employs about 350 people across Mauritius, with offices in Dubai, South Africa, and Seychelles.
3. Mauritius continues to serve as a strategic gateway for investment into Africa and Asia. How does Intercontinental Trust leverage this position to attract global investors?
In our early years, we initially focused on routing investments into Asia, particularly India, China, and Singapore. However, from 2008 onwards, Africa became increasingly attractive to investors. Mauritius, with its strategic geographic location and strong legal and regulatory frameworks, quickly established itself as a preferred platform for channelling investments into the continent. The country, being part of the African continent and member of key regional and international blocs such as COMESA, SADC, the Indian Ocean Rim, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), naturally became a preferred jurisdiction for structuring investments into Africa. At Intercontinental Trust, we have continued to leverage these advantages to support global clients seeking to expand their footprint across both Africa and Asia.
4. How is Intercontinental Trust ensuring compliance and maintaining trust with its global clientele?
Compliance operates at two levels.
At the national level, we strictly adhere to all OECD and FATF guidelines, Mauritius has consistently remained on the whitelist for several years now, reflecting the jurisdiction’s strong commitment to international best practices.
At the company level, we undergo an ISAE 3402 Type II audit annually conducted by a Big Four firm which reviews all our internal controls and systems. We have maintained this standard for over 15 years, ensuring strong governance and operational integrity.
5. Technology and digital transformation are reshaping financial services. How is ITL integrating innovation and automation to enhance efficiency and client experience?
We have always recognised the importance of technology in driving operational efficiency and enhancing client service. We were one of the first local companies in Mauritius to move fully to the cloud, using Microsoft Azure for all our servers and data storage. This gives us strong redundancy and reliability.
We also integrate AI into our operations. Our AI assistant, Amelia, enhances both efficiency and customer experience. Amelia 1.0 currently serves as our virtual receptionist after office hours, ensuring that no call or opportunity is missed, even after business hours. Amelia 2.0 will soon assist new clients with onboarding, while Amelia 3.0, coming next year, will handle technical queries, covering areas such as tax, company law, and compliance. These developments reflect our commitment to continuous innovation and a future-ready client experience.
6. Sustainability and ESG principles are becoming central to investment decisions worldwide. How is ITL aligning with this global trend?
ITL is proud to be a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact for over five years now. We have two representatives on the local UNGC board in Mauritius, and we actively contribute to its mission through the involvement of two of our representatives on the local UNGC board in Mauritius.
We fully adhere to ESG and sustainability principles and also provide ESG consulting to clients through our dedicated advisory arm. All our efforts are data-driven, ensuring that sustainability is measurable and impactful, with a view to promoting long-term value creation and responsible growth.
7. You’ve already established an office in Dubai, reflecting your recognition of opportunities in this market. Do you see growing interest from Middle Eastern investors, and how is ITL supporting this trend?
Interestingly, we opened our Dubai office not to find clients from the Middle East, but to serve our existing clients who were expanding in this region.
Now, however, we see a shift; Middle Eastern investors are increasingly looking at Mauritius due to regional instability and the strategic appeal of geographic distance. With today’s technologies and digitals tools, physical distance is no longer a barrier.
Air connectivity between Mauritius and the Gulf has grown significantly which is a clear signal of the strengthening two-way investment corridor between the two regions. Emirates operates two daily flights to Mauritius, one of its five most profitable routes globally. There’s also growing interest from Qatar Airways and others, reflecting strong two-way engagement.
8. You have witnessed Mauritius’ financial sector evolve over the past two decades. What major reforms or strategic shifts have most positively impacted the industry?
I began my career in 1992, so I’ve seen Mauritius transition from an Offshore Financial Centre (OFC) to an International Financial Centre (IFC), like Singapore or Dubai.
We’re now expanding beyond basic services to create a full-service ecosystem, clients should be able to find everything they need locally, from legal to financial to lifestyle infrastructure.
My vision is that Mauritius will become the Monaco of Africa, a destination of choice not only for business, but for its overall quality of life with world-class infrastructure, beautiful golf courses, and strong infrastructure, while maintaining business ties to global hubs like Dubai.
9. Looking ahead, what is your vision for ITL and its contribution to Mauritius’ future as a global financial hub?
Our long-term vision is to help Mauritius transition into a fully-fledged IFC. At Intercontinental Trust, we will continue expanding our service range to meet client evolving needs, just as a client would prefer a Carrefour over a 7-Eleven when looking for variety and convenience, we want Mauritius to become a one-stop destination for international investors, offering a comprehensive suite of services.
10. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about Mauritius as a trusted financial hub and gateway for investment into Africa and Asia?
Mauritius and the UAE need not be competitors, they can be complementary jurisdictions. Some structures work better in Mauritius, others are better suited to the UAE. Likewise, some people will prefer living in Mauritius, others may prefer Dubai’s lifestyle. The key lies in collaboration. By working together, we can create greater opportunities for global investors.
.png)
