This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from the European Commission. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International and funded by the European Union.
Query
Can you please provide an overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Mauritius with a special focus on public procurement in the electricity sector?
Content
1. Overview of corruption in Mauritius
2. Nature of corruption challenges
3. Corruption in public procurement and the energy sector
4. Legal and institutional anti-corruption framework
5. References
Summary
Mauritius is frequently lauded as sub-Saharan Africa's shining example of democracy, good governance and economic success. In the last 15 years, successive Mauritian governments have placed a real emphasis on anti-corruption measures and achieved some notable results, particularly the passing of a series of laws and the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in 2002.
Nonetheless, while it is true that Mauritius performs well in comparative regional studies and indices, all too often this obscures a problem with corruption referred to as "pervasive and ingrained" in cables leaked from the US embassy. The role of the island state as a centre for offshore financial services continues to be a driver of high-level corruption. Petty corruption in law enforcement and customs is also rampant.
At the legislative level, there are enduring weaknesses in the integrity framework, particularly with regards to the lack of a right to information act and regulations dealing both with private sector corruption and the funding of political parties.
Authors
Matthew Jenkins, [email protected]
Reviewers
Marie Chêne, Transparency International, [email protected] Bablee, Transparency International
Date
15/12/2014
