Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Setup in Mauritius
Structure, incorporate and administer Mauritius SPVs for holding, investment, securitisation, joint venture and asset isolation purposes.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is a legal entity created for a specific, defined purpose — to isolate assets, ring-fence liabilities, facilitate a structured transaction, hold a single investment or provide a clean legal vehicle for a joint venture or securitisation. Mauritius is a popular jurisdiction for SPV establishment due to its flexible corporate law, range of available structures (including GBCs, Authorised Companies and limited liability partnerships), absence of thin capitalisation rules for GBCs, and the availability of treaty benefits for qualifying entities. SPVs in Mauritius are used across a wide range of applications: private equity holding vehicles, project finance structures, real estate acquisition vehicles, securitisation platforms, joint venture entities and intra-group financing conduits. Our team provides end-to-end SPV services — from structuring advice and incorporation through to ongoing administration, compliance and eventual wind-down.
Common SPV applications in Mauritius
Private Equity and Investment Holding SPV
Private equity funds and family office investors frequently use Mauritius GBC SPVs to hold investments in African and Asian target companies. The SPV sits between the fund vehicle and the investee company, providing a treaty-efficient holding layer, a clean liability perimeter and a convenient vehicle for managing the investment — including dividend flows, shareholder loan arrangements and eventual exit.
Real Estate Acquisition Vehicle
Real estate investments — particularly in African markets — are often structured through a Mauritius SPV to achieve tax efficiency on rental income and capital gains, to facilitate co-investment with multiple parties, and to provide a recognised legal vehicle for mortgage and title purposes in the target jurisdiction. The SPV structure also simplifies exit by enabling a share sale rather than a direct asset transfer.
Joint Venture and Co-Investment Vehicle
A Mauritius SPV is commonly used as a joint venture vehicle for two or more parties investing together in a project or business. The SPV holds the joint venture assets and is governed by a shareholders' agreement that sets out each party's rights, obligations, governance rights and exit mechanisms. Mauritius company law provides a flexible framework for customising economic and governance rights through the constitution and ancillary agreements.
Intra-Group Financing and Treasury SPV
Multinational groups use Mauritius SPVs as intra-group financing vehicles or treasury companies — providing loans to group subsidiaries, holding surplus cash and managing currency exposure. The combination of treaty benefits on interest income and the absence of withholding tax on interest paid to non-residents (subject to conditions) makes Mauritius an efficient location for such structures.
SPV setup process
Structuring and entity selection
We work with the client and their advisers to determine the optimal entity type (GBC, Authorised Company, or other structure), the appropriate capital structure, the governance arrangements and the contractual framework required for the specific SPV purpose. We review the relevant treaty network and tax considerations for the target investment jurisdiction.
Documentation and KYC
We prepare the SPV's incorporation documents, including the constitution, shareholders' agreement, shareholder loan agreements or other transaction documents as required. Simultaneously, we collect and verify KYC documentation for all principals, investors and beneficial owners.
Incorporation and licensing
We file the incorporation application and, where applicable, the GBC licence application with the FSC. On approval, the SPV is registered with the Registrar of Companies and receives its corporate documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation and any required FSC approval letter.
Operationalisation and ongoing management
We assist with bank account opening, implementation of any required substance arrangements, execution of the initial transaction documents (share subscriptions, loan agreements, security documents) and handover to our ongoing administration team, which manages the SPV through its operational life and eventual dissolution.
Key considerations for Mauritius SPVs
- Choice of entity type (GBC, AC or other) depends on treaty requirements and intended activity
- GBC SPVs require resident directors and genuine economic substance
- Shareholders' agreement or joint venture agreement should be carefully tailored to the specific transaction
- Capital structure (equity vs. shareholder loans) should be reviewed with tax advisers
- Consider regulatory licensing requirements if the SPV will carry on regulated activities
- Bank account opening requires full KYC and a clear business purpose narrative
- Exit and dissolution mechanics should be planned at the outset
Indicative costs
| البند | النطاق الاستدلالي |
|---|---|
| GBC SPV incorporation and licence (one-off) | USD 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Authorised Company SPV incorporation (one-off) | USD 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Annual administration and compliance (GBC SPV) | USD 3,500 – 8,000 |
| Shareholders' agreement or JV agreement drafting | Quoted separately — legal fees apply |