On 18 April 2026, the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (Act No. 3 of 2026) came into force. The Act amends several statutes to align Mauritius’ legal framework with international standards on anti-money laundering, combatting the financing of terrorism and countering proliferation financing and to strengthen the enforcement of these regimes.
Among its provisions is a landmark amendment to the Environment Act 2024. A new section 135A has been introduced, criminalising ecocide and making it punishable by significant fines and penal servitude of up to 10 years. With this development, Mauritius joins a growing number of jurisdictions worldwide that have moved to criminalise severe environmental destruction.
