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Financial Services

Structuring Investment Platforms for Sovereign Entities

We structure and administer investment platforms for sovereign entities and Sovereign Wealth Funds, managing the FSC licensing and governance framework each requires.

Overview

Sovereign Investment Platforms, Structured for Governance and Scale

Sovereign Funds covers the structuring and administration of investment platforms for sovereign entities and Sovereign Wealth Funds, from the choice of holding or fund vehicle through to governance frameworks that meet international standards.

We work with sovereign clients on structures ranging from a straightforward holding company through to an FSC-regulated fund or asset management platform, building governance documentation aligned to the Santiago Principles and OECD standards, and structuring around Mauritius's treaty network.

45+
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
Across key African and Asian markets, reducing withholding tax on cross-border income.
Santiago Principles
Governance Aligned to International Standards
Documentation mapped to established sovereign wealth fund governance standards.
Neutral Jurisdiction
Politically Neutral, Common Law Framework
A platform without the geopolitical sensitivities of alternative offshore centres.

What We Provide

Key Features

Platform Structuring
Designing the Mauritius vehicle, holding company, regulated fund, or asset management platform, around the investment mandate.
Governance Framework Design
Building investment policy statements, board terms of reference, and related documentation aligned to the Santiago Principles.
FSC Licensing
Managing licence applications where the structure requires FSC regulation, such as a fund or asset manager.
Treaty Network Structuring
Structuring around Mauritius's double taxation avoidance agreement network to manage withholding tax on cross-border income.
Confidentiality Safeguards
Advising on structuring and internal information controls that support client confidentiality within regulatory limits.
Ongoing Governance Support
Supporting board meetings, reporting, and regulatory filings once the platform is established.

Process

How It Works

01
Mandate & Governance Design
Understanding the investment mandate, asset classes, geographies, and governance requirements.
02
Structure Selection
Choosing between a holding company, FSC-regulated fund, or asset management platform.
03
Regulatory Engagement
FSC engagement where required, including licence applications or pre-application discussions.
04
Legal & Tax Framework
Preparing documentation and analysing treaty benefits under the DTAA network.
05
Platform Launch
Corporate establishment, banking arrangements, and management appointment.
06
Ongoing Governance
Supporting board meetings, reporting, and regulatory filings on an ongoing basis.

Requirements

Requirements & Eligibility

When This Service Applies

  • A sovereign entity or Sovereign Wealth Fund wants to establish an investment platform in Mauritius
  • An existing structure needs a governance framework aligned to international standards
  • A sovereign client needs support navigating FSC licensing for a fund or asset management platform

Structuring Considerations

  • The right structure depends on the mandate, a straightforward holding company suits some mandates, while others require an FSC-regulated fund or asset manager
  • Governance documentation should be mapped to the Santiago Principles and the entity's home government requirements from the outset
  • Confidentiality needs should be addressed in the structuring itself, not only through internal controls

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Political neutrality with no geopolitical tensions, a common law framework and OECD-aligned standards, strategic positioning at the Africa-Asia intersection, a treaty network of 45+ DTAAs, and an established professional services sector.
A Global Business Company as a holding vehicle, an FSC-regulated closed-end fund or Variable Capital Company for managed portfolios, a Global Business Company with an FSC asset management licence, or a combination of these for multiple sub-mandates. We assess the right fit against the mandate's specifics.
We map the relevant Santiago Principles to specific governance documentation and operational procedures, investment policy statements, board governance terms, investment committee mandates, risk management frameworks, and reporting requirements.
Mauritius holds double taxation avoidance agreements with 45+ jurisdictions, including Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Senegal, India, and China, generally reducing withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties. Specific benefits depend on the treaty and the entity's nature.
Through internal information barriers, limiting mandate knowledge to the engaged advisers, bespoke confidentiality agreements, and Mauritius's legal framework for professional confidentiality obligations, alongside structuring advice that minimises public disclosure while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Mandate and governance design typically takes 4–8 weeks, corporate and legal establishment ranges from 3–6 weeks for a holding structure to 8–16 weeks for a regulated one, regulatory review runs 12–20 weeks where applicable, and platform launch takes a further 3–6 weeks.

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Establish Your Sovereign Investment Platform

We work discreetly with sovereign entities to structure and administer their Mauritius-based investment vehicles.

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