• Mauritius plans mandatory registration for online vendors to improve e-commerce regulation
  
  
• Proposed registry will require sellers to obtain licenses and meet compliance standards
  
  
• Initiative aims to curb digital scams and improve consumer protection through seller traceability

Online vendors in Mauritius will soon face mandatory registration under initial proposals discussed between Commerce Minister Michaël Sik Yuen and consumer groups. The measure aims to tighten e-commerce regulations and combat the increasing number of digital scams by ensuring seller traceability and enhanced consumer protection.

The project envisions creating an official registry of online sellers operating in Mauritius. Each online merchant will be required to obtain a license to operate legally and comply with a defined set of standards. These requirements are intended to provide clearer oversight of the sector and help differentiate legitimate sellers from illegal operators.

Highlighting the need for such regulation, Jayen Chellum, Secretary-General of the Consumers’ Association of Mauritius (ACIM), said: "It only takes someone posting a product [on social media, Editor’s note], requesting payment through a bank account or mobile app, and the customer never receives the order. We’ve seen cases both locally and internationally."

Local media outlets quoted the minister as saying that the first draft of the registry is expected in the coming weeks. Authorities plan to implement an inclusive, flexible, and gradual process to ensure the system's success and prevent segments of the digital economy from reverting to informality.

By Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Editing by Feriol Bewa