Mauritius is setting its sights on economic revival and sustainable growth
The economic outlook and investment opportunities in Mauritius will be central focus at the third instalment of the annual API Mauritius & Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum, which will take place on June 26 in Mauritius.
According to a press statement, the country is setting its sights on economic revival and sustainable growth. As the island nation gears up for the high-profile API Mauritius & Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum, industry experts are calling for bold reforms and streamlined investments.
Kevin Teeroovengadum
The statement adds that the newly elected government of Mauritius has three fiscal challenges: it spends more than it earns in trade, in its budget, and in payments with other countries. To fix these problems, it aims to create new sources of economic growth and attract important investments from foreign players, especially in real estate.
Kevin Teeroovengadum, board and advisor to various listed and non-listed companies in Mauritius and in Africa including South Africa, says the government faces the daunting task of stabilising the economy and averting a downgrade to junk status by credit rating agencies.
“Mauritius urgently needs a bold, forward-looking strategic plan, one that mirrors the ambition and clarity of vision seen in Dubai’s transformation. The government must set clear targets, not only in terms of the number of foreigners it aims to attract but also the profile and quality of these individuals and, a focused strategy is essential to position Mauritius as a premier destination to live, work, and retire” says Teeroovengadum.
Mauritius boasts several unique advantages, including a stable political environment, a safe and appealing lifestyle, and a resilient tourism sector. However, experts stress that unlocking the island’s full economic potential will require greater openness to foreign developers and institutional investors, especially in emerging asset classes such as green buildings, logistics hubs, and affordable housing. A clear regulatory framework, streamlined processes, and robust public-private collaboration are seen as essential to ensuring that development aligns with national priorities and delivers long-term value to the local economy, adds the statement.
Wayne Godwin
“The ease of doing business, sophisticated local capital markets, and low taxation make Mauritius an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, but there are still barriers that can be removed, particularly around the sale of directly held real estate, which incurs higher transfer taxes and a lengthy approval process,” says Wayne Godwin, CEO, JLL Africa.
“As JLL, we expect to see more focus from international investors into Mauritius in the next few years, particularly from the Middle East and India, while the trend of Mauritian investors expanding into Africa will likely continue on a similar path,” adds Godwin.
According to the statement, the government is also focussing on public-private partnerships to promote sustainability with the use of green building standards, real estate investment trusts, and green bonds is gaining momentum, with early issuances by EnVolt and Cim Finance demonstrating the potential to mobilise green capital at scale.
“Mauritius has a strong foundation in residential real estate and hospitality, but the time has come to evolve and diversify the development model. We must channel foreign investment into industries that create meaningful employment for our skilled, bilingual youth, sectors like advanced manufacturing, tech-enabled services, and sustainable construction. Real estate remains central to this vision, not as an end in itself, but as a platform to support innovation, green industry, and a more inclusive economy. The opportunity is to build an economy where young Mauritians can thrive at home, not feel compelled to leave in search of better prospects”, says Bernard Forster, Managing Director, Elevante Consulting.
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