Belstar Training Centre (Mauritius) and KCB (UK) Join Forces to Enhance Governance and Compliance Training in Mauritius
As Mauritius strengthens its position as an international financial center, a new strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the development of local skills. The collaboration between Belstar Training Centre and KCB (Kensington College of Business UK) expands access to programs from the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) for Mauritian professionals, directly contributing to the capacity building of the financial services sector. Founded over 130 years ago, the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) is now recognized as the global reference body for professional qualification and certification in governance, risk management, and compliance. Leading a network of 40,000 professionals, it sets the professional standards for Company Secretaries and governance practitioners worldwide.
The official signing of a memorandum of understanding between Belstar Training Centre and KCB Global took place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Royal Green, with the presence of Dr. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, and Dr. Kaviraj Sukon, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Research, alongside Patrick Courtney, Head of Memberships at CGIUKI, Neill McWilliams, CEO and Programs Director of KCB Global, and Tega Appavou, President of Belstar Training Centre, Mauritius.
This initiative comes at a pivotal moment for the Mauritian economy. As the country consolidates its status as an international financial center, the demands for compliance, governance, and risk management have never been higher. It is in this context that Belstar Training Centre and KCB Global are launching the Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance, allowing students and professionals to access an internationally recognized qualification. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program combines international expertise with local relevance, addressing a clearly identified skills gap in the Mauritian market.
In his opening remarks, Tega Appavou, President of Belstar Training Centre, emphasized: "This partnership addresses the evolving needs of the financial services sector in Mauritius. It is imperative to modernize governance training. The Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance, accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, will enable Mauritian professionals to enhance their expertise and support the long-term resilience of our institutions. Governance goes beyond mere compliance; it is built on trust, accountability, and sustainable growth within organizations and sectors. It constantly reminds us that the journey matters as much as the destination. At Belstar, we firmly believe that investing in internationally recognized and locally anchored training is essential to prepare the next generation of governance professionals who will contribute to making Mauritius a leading international financial center."
For KCB Global, this partnership fits into a broader strategy of international expansion. Neill McWilliams, CEO and Programs Director, stated: "Mauritius is an ambitious and rapidly growing financial center, and capacity building in governance is essential for its success. As a global organization committed to advancing governance standards, KCB has identified a concrete opportunity to support this development by expanding access to quality, internationally recognized training. Our collaboration will make the programs of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland more accessible to Mauritian professionals while enhancing educational effectiveness and sector relevance. What makes this initiative particularly important is its alignment with the realities of the Mauritian market: the program content is tailored to local legislation, regulations, and operational practices. We observe a strong demand from employers for structured pathways in governance and compliance, and we view this partnership as the starting point for a broader ambition to train the next generation of governance and compliance professionals in Mauritius."
Patrick Courtney, Head of Memberships at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, remarked: "We believe that quality and transformation are at the heart of professional training. Through this partnership, Mauritian professionals gain access to internationally recognized qualifications in governance and compliance that meet rigorous standards while remaining adapted to the local regulatory environment and economic realities. In a constantly evolving global financial context, good governance is no longer a choice; it is a strategic necessity for any organization concerned with resilience, credibility, and sustainable growth. Beyond technical knowledge, these programs help professionals develop the discernment, trust, and ethics necessary to fulfill responsibilities with integrity and contribute fully to their organizations. Mauritius already has a strong and active governance community, and we are encouraged by the commitment of employers and professionals to invest in continuous training. This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening the governance culture and in developing Mauritius as a leading international financial center."
In his speech, Dr. Kaviraj Sukon, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Research, stated: "The introduction of stackable micro-credentials, the strengthening of international partnerships, and a more flexible higher education framework allow Mauritius to create conducive conditions to become a recognized regional training hub. Collaborations like that between Belstar Training Centre, KCB Global, and the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland are essential for bridging academia with the professional sector while opening new opportunities for learners and professionals in Mauritius, Africa, and the Indian Ocean region. The government remains committed to making higher education, vocational training, and research pillars of national growth and economic transformation. Initiatives like this fully align with our vision of a knowledge economy driven by strong international partnerships, innovation, and skills development."
Dr. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, delivered the keynote address: "Mauritius has dedicated over three decades to building a credible and respected international financial center. Today, the financial services sector accounts for more than 12% of our GDP, directly and indirectly employing over 36,000 professionals, and remains the top contributor to corporate tax revenues. This success is not by chance. It is the result of sustained work, robust institutions, a credible regulatory framework, and the ongoing development of local expertise. At the same time, the sector is evolving rapidly. Compliance, risk management, and governance have become essential pillars of competitiveness, while emerging areas such as fintech, digital assets, and sustainable finance are reshaping the global financial landscape. Mauritius must therefore continue to strengthen its ecosystem, align with evolving FATF standards, and ensure that its workforce is equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow. It is precisely in this context that partnerships like that between Belstar Training Centre and Kensington College of Business become so significant. By combining internationally recognized expertise, innovative educational tools, and local relevance, this initiative will enhance the skills of Mauritian professionals and contribute directly to the resilience, credibility, and long-term competitiveness of our financial services sector."
Beyond certification, the program addresses a structural challenge: the lack of practical skills in compliance and governance. Many professionals have strong academic foundations but struggle to meet the technical requirements and international standards in this field.
The launch also gathered professionals from the financial services sector, who praised the initiative and highlighted the increasing importance of recognized governance and compliance training for the development of Mauritius as a leading financial center.
Rehma Imrith, Managing Director of IQ-EQ for Mauritius, observed: "These programs play a crucial role in compliance and governance, strengthening local skills in key areas such as AML/CFT, corporate governance, and risk management. This partnership provides a concrete response to the skills gap currently observed in the Mauritian market. It contributes to the professionalization and consolidation of industry standards. For IQ-EQ, investing in high-level certified training not only enhances the mastery of operational and regulatory risks but also supports Mauritius' positioning as a credible and transparent jurisdiction, aligned with international best practices – an issue that becomes even more strategic as we approach the ESAAMLG evaluation scheduled for 2027."
Rizwana Ameer Meea, CEO of Accuvise Administrators Limited, commented: "In a constantly evolving financial sector, continuous training is no longer an option but a necessity. These programs enable professionals to keep pace with changing regulatory requirements, better understand compliance, risk management, and governance issues, and apply them effectively. Beyond technical aspects, they contribute to instilling a true culture of rigor, ethics, and professionalism in our organizations. A well-trained team is more efficient, resilient, and better equipped to face challenges. Ultimately, investing in training means investing in the quality, credibility, and sustainable growth of our financial sector."
About the Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance
Developed as part of the partnership between Belstar Training Centre and KCB Global, and certified by the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, the Certificate in Compliance & Corporate Governance serves as a structured entry point into governance careers. Lasting nine to twelve months, equivalent to the first year of higher education, it is delivered in a hybrid format – online sessions, e-learning, and guided studies – to accommodate professional constraints.
The program is structured around four core modules: the company (boards, directors, and stakeholders), compliance and corporate administration (legal frameworks and reporting obligations), corporate governance (risk management, ESG, and internal controls), and assemblies (decision-making processes). It provides direct access to the CGIUKI curriculum leading to GradCG status and Chartered title. Its local anchorage is one of its major strengths: the content integrates developments in the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, and AML/CFT requirements, complemented by case studies and Mauritian practitioners. The program is aimed at recent graduates, professionals (accountants, lawyers, company administrators), as well as senior executives and board members.
By introducing CGIUKI programs to Mauritius, Belstar Training Centre and KCB Global are making governance a vehicle for economic development for Mauritius and the region.
