Africa & Indian Ocean · KM
Mohéli
Mohéli (Mwali), an autonomous island of the Union of the Comoros, has its own framework for international business companies and certain licensed activities.
At a glance
- Status
- Autonomous island of the Union of the Comoros
- Region
- Africa & Indian Ocean
- Regulated sectors
- GamingCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- MISA
- Licensing routes
- 3
- See also
- Anjouan
Overview
The framework
Mohéli (Mwali) is one of the three main islands of the Union of the Comoros. Its international services authority registers international business companies and licenses certain activities under the island's own legislation.
How island-level registrations and licences are treated by banks, payment providers and the regulators of target markets should be verified before relying on them for a regulated business; we carry out that check with our clients.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Mwali International Services Authority (MISA)
- Registration and licensing of international business on the island.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Online gaming licence
Licensing of online gaming under the island's framework.
Sectors: Gaming
International brokerage licence
Licensing of international brokerage and clearing activity under the island's framework.
Sectors: Investment
Crypto licence
Licensing of crypto-asset activity under the island's framework.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Verify how banks, payment providers and counterparties treat island-level licences before relying on one.
- Consider how the entity will be viewed in the markets where customers are located.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- iGaming & GamingB2C operators, B2B suppliers, platforms, aggregators and affiliates.
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Mohéli: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
Mohéli: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.