UNDP Supports Launch of Tax Inspectors Without Borders Criminal Investigation Programme in Mauritius

The Programme aims to strengthen national capacity to combat tax crime through enhanced investigative expertise

July 20, 2026

undp-tax-inspectors-beyond-borders-4-day-workshop-34.jpg — Participants to the launch of the 4-day Tax investors Without Borders Workshop In Plaine Magnien on Monday 20 July 2026.

Plaine Magnien, Mauritius, 20 July 2026 –

Mauritius today launched the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Criminal Investigation Programme Phase I Maturity Model Self-Assessment Workshop, a five-day initiative aimed at strengthening the country's capacity to combat tax crime, money laundering and illicit financial flows. Hosted by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) from 20 to 24 July at the Integrated Customs Clearance Centre, the workshop brings together representatives from government, law enforcement, regulatory and financial sector institutions to assess Mauritius' tax crime enforcement framework and identify priorities for future action.

Illicit financial flows across Africa - including money laundering and other financial crimes - are estimated at nearly USD 89 billion annually, depriving countries of resources that could otherwise be invested in health, education, climate resilience and sustainable development. For Small Island Developing States such as Mauritius, protecting domestic revenues and strengthening financial integrity systems are critical to achieving long-term development goals. The workshop launched this week aims to provide some solutions to this pressing issue. Part of the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) initiative, it is jointly delivered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and UNDP, in partnership with the World Bank Group and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF). The aim: strengthen national capacity to combat tax crime through enhanced investigative expertise, stronger inter-agency cooperation and improved domestic resource mobilisation.

Photograph of a man in a shirt, tie, and glasses speaking in front of an OECD backdrop.Ben Dickinson, Deputy Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTPA);

Photograph of a man in a suit speaking at a podium with flags behind him.Rohit Ramnawaz, Director-General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority;

Ms. Alka Bhatia, Resident Representative of UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles,

Thulani Shongwe, Head of African Multilateral Cooperation at ATAF

Enforcement challenges and barriers to development

During the launching ceremony, Ms. Alka Bhatia, UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Resident Representative, emphasized that illicit financial flows and financial crime are not only enforcement challenges but also significant barriers to development, as resources lost through tax evasion and related offences are resources that cannot be invested in health, education, climate resilience and social protection.

Ms Bhatia stated: “Curbing illicit financial flows strengthens domestic resource mobilisation; domestic resource mobilisation is the foundation of fiscal space; and fiscal space is what allows the budget to deliver on national priorities. Through our support for public finance reforms, fiscal policy coherence, and SDG financing, we are helping to ensure that the revenues safeguarded through this programme are channelled into development priorities through a stronger and more credible national budget.”

UNDP Resident Representative also noted that the TIWB initiative forms part of UNDP's broader support to Mauritius on public finance, sustainable development financing and domestic resource mobilisation, helping ensure that stronger financial integrity systems contribute directly to national development outcomes.

Strengthening institutions to uphold integrity, public trust and national development priorities.

Addressing participants, Hon. Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, acknowledged the support of UNDP and other international partners in advancing the TIWB Programme. He stressed that illicit financial flows remain a major development challenge and highlighted the importance of strong institutions in tackling increasingly sophisticated tax crimes.

The Junior Minister also commended the MRA for its efforts to modernize its services and strengthen staff capacity, while underscoring the importance of developing expertise in digital finance to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the financial sector and related risks. He further emphasized that - while ensuring their independence - institutions must work collaboratively to uphold integrity, public trust and national development priorities.

Man in a light suit and yellow tie speaks at a podium; flags and a conference banner behind.

Speaker at podium delivering presentation in conference hall; flags, banner stands, and flowers.

Man in suit and tie at podium delivering a speech with blue and white flags behind.

The Workshop

Throughout the week, participants will use the OECD Tax Crime Maturity Model to assess Mauritius' performance against the Ten Global Principles for Fighting Tax Crime. The self-assessment will help identify strengths, gaps and opportunities for improvement and support the development of a nationally owned action plan to guide future reforms and capacity-building efforts.

The programme combines technical presentations, practical exercises and inter-agency discussions on key areas such as investigative powers, asset recovery, international cooperation and inter-agency coordination. Participants will also review findings from the National Risk Assessment on Tax Crimes and Money Laundering and identify priority areas for support under the next phase of the TIWB Criminal Investigation Programme.

Through its support to public finance, sustainable development financing and domestic resource mobilisation, UNDP will continue working alongside international and national partners to strengthen financial integrity systems, expand fiscal space and accelerate progress towards Mauritius' development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.