Comoros · Anjouan AOFA · Offshore licence
Anjouan forex licence: what it is, and how it compares with Mwali
Anjouan is the second Comoros island that issues offshore brokerage licences. Many brokers ask us about it. Here are the facts, the recognition issues and why we usually recommend Mwali or another route.
Updated
- Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA)
- International brokerage licence
- Same recognition questions as Mwali
- Honest comparison before you choose
Anjouan, an autonomous Comoros island, issues offshore brokerage licences through the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA). Like Mwali licences, they are fast and need no local office, but their recognition by the Union of the Comoros and foreign regulators is disputed.
Overview
What the Anjouan licence is
Anjouan (Ndzuwani) is an autonomous island of the Union of the Comoros. Its Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) licenses international business companies and issues international brokerage licences that are marketed to forex and CFD brokers.
Like Mwali, Anjouan offers fast incorporation, light documentation and no local office requirement. And like Mwali, its licences face the same fundamental question: the Central Bank of the Comoros warned in June 2022, and again via the Ministry of Finance in December 2025, that approvals issued by the island authorities, naming both the AOFA and MISA, have no legal effect in the Union. Some foreign regulators have also warned about entities holding them.
Comparison
Anjouan (AOFA) vs Mwali (MISA)
| Anjouan (AOFA) | Mwali (MISA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority | Mwali International Services Authority |
| Licence type | International brokerage licence | International Brokerage and Clearing House licence |
| Typical speed | Weeks | IBC up to 4 business days, licence about 2 weeks |
| Local office | Not required | Not required |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Recognition by the Union of the Comoros | Disputed | Disputed |
| Our current partner | On request | Yes |
Indicative, simplified comparison. We confirm current terms with local partners before any engagement.
Recognition. An Anjouan licence does not authorise services in countries that require local authorisation, and some banks, payment providers and liquidity providers will not onboard companies that rely on it. Treat it as an offshore licence, not as regulation comparable to Mauritius or the Bahamas.
How we advise brokers who ask about Anjouan
Need a licence fast?
We usually recommend Mwali, where we work with an established partner and a clear process.
Only need MT5?
A Saint Lucia IBC with a legal opinion can meet the MetaQuotes activity requirement without any FX licence.
Need recognition?
Choose a regulated licence in Mauritius or the Bahamas; it opens the most doors with banks and LPs.
Anjouan: questions
Is an Anjouan forex licence regulated?
It is issued by the Anjouan authority, so the company is licensed there. Its recognition by the Union of the Comoros and by foreign regulators is disputed, so we classify it as an offshore licence.
Anjouan or Mwali: which is better?
Both face the same recognition questions. We work with an established Mwali partner, so Mwali is usually the more predictable choice. See Comoros (Mwali) licence.
Can I use an Anjouan licence for an MT5 licence?
MetaQuotes decides each application individually. A licence can serve as activity confirmation, but the rest of the checklist still applies.
Official sources
Primary sources we rely on. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the authority.
- Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) anjouanoffshorefinanceauthority.org
- Central Bank of the Comoros (Banque Centrale des Comores) banque-comores.km
- Mwali International Services Authority (MISA) mwaliregistrar.com
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