Are We Winning the Fight Against Corruption in Mauritius?

As the world observes International Anti-Corruption Day, Mauritius finds itself slipping in corruption rankings. Despite various reforms, the fight against corruption remains fragile and challenging. On December 9, 2025, the world will commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day, a day established by the United Nations to raise awareness about the dangers of corruption, promote collective action, and encourage global cooperation. This observance was initiated following the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on October 31, 2003.

The theme for 2025 emphasizes youth as 'guardians of integrity.' Corruption is recognized universally for its destructive effects—it undermines democracy, exacerbates poverty and inequality, weakens institutions, and hampers economic and social development. The United Nations states, "Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to human rights violations, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life, and allows organized crime, terrorism, and other threats to human security to flourish." This quote underscores why December 9 is dedicated to reminding the world that corruption affects not only finances but also justice, equality, and peace.

Since corruption is often a hidden crime, direct measurement is not feasible. Therefore, global institutions rely on perception-based, experience-based, and institutional indicators to gauge it. The most widely used measure remains Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which ranks 180 countries and territories based on perceived public sector corruption levels, with scores ranging from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Mauritius has regularly scored in the mid-range of the CPI, indicating moderate public sector corruption. In 2024, it scored 51/100 and was ranked 56th out of 180 countries. Notably, Mauritius, which ranked 33rd in 1998, has been on a downward trajectory since then.

Regionally, Mauritius ranked 5th in the CPI last year with a score of 51, following Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Botswana, and Rwanda. Historically, Mauritius held the 2nd position in Africa behind Botswana, but it is now experiencing a decline.

Seychelles, currently leading the African continent in corruption perception, made significant progress; in 2012, it scored 52 and ranked 51st globally. In 2024, Seychelles scored 72 and ranked 1st in Africa and 18th globally. This success illustrates the steady progress achievable with strong political will, even without an anti-corruption body, as the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles was established in 2016 with Mauritian technical support.

What accounts for Mauritius' gradual decline? While neighboring countries like Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Botswana, and Rwanda demonstrate strong political will and consistent progress, Mauritius has shown complacency, making corruption a political issue, altering the anti-corruption body's name and powers, and enacting laws that suit their interests. Do these changes yield real benefits for the country?

The new government has expressed intentions to alter the name and structure of the anti-corruption body. Will this lead to a significant change in Mauritius' fight against corruption and visible benefits for the population? Recent legislation, the Financial Crimes Commission Act 2023 (FCC Act), proclaimed on March 29, 2024, is noteworthy.

The FCC Act establishes the Financial Crimes Commission as the primary agency in Mauritius to detect, investigate, and prosecute financial crimes and related offenses. The Commission assumes the functions of various previous bodies, including the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Asset Recovery Investigation Division.

While the FCC Act may not be perfect, it consolidates authority to combat financial crimes, including money laundering and corruption. It addresses long-standing fragmentation in enforcement by creating a unified institution, developed with help from international bodies like the United Nations and the UK's National Crimes Agency. Ironically, we now seek collaboration from the same National Crimes Agency to establish another legal/institutional framework.

For Mauritius to progress in combating corruption, it would have been wise to amend existing legislation, such as reconsidering the dual role of the Director General as Head and Chair of the Commission. It is difficult to reconcile the Administrative Head of an organization also chairing its governing body with good governance principles.

While Mauritius grapples with announcements, new legislative frameworks, and future appointments, our competitors are genuinely striving to tackle corruption and financial crimes for economic and social development. Will the fight against corruption in Mauritius remain a mere slogan? One day, our children will judge us based on our actions or inactions that impact their lives!