“EDB deepens global economic ties through high-level diplomatic engagements”

Mauritius is stepping up its efforts to position itself as a regional hub for trade, investment, and financial services. In line with this ambition, the country’s Economic Development Board (EDB) has engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic meetings in May 2025 with counterparts from South Africa, Indonesia, Australia, Japan, and China. Against the backdrop of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, these discussions reflect a wider strategy to leverage Mauritius’ political stability, regulatory framework, and trade networks to drive new partnerships and unlock growth opportunities across the continent.

Mauritius has, in recent weeks, expanded its international economic diplomacy through a series of high-level meetings hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB), engaging with key partner countries in Africa, Asia, and the Indian Ocean region. The engagements reflect both growing international interest in Mauritius as a gateway to Africa and the country’s own ambition to contribute to Africa’s long-term development agenda.

At the centre of these efforts is the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a 50-year strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development on the continent. Across all recent discussions, Mauritius’ alignment with this framework – and its role as a facilitator of investment, trade, and regional integration – was a recurrent theme.

Reinforcing Bilateral Cooperation with South Africa

On 27 May 2025, Dr. H. N. Manzini, High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to Mauritius, accompanied by Matlhaba Mogadingwane, First Secretary (Political), held a courtesy meeting with Mahen Abhimanu Kundasamy, Chief Executive Officer of the EDB.

Both parties reaffirmed the strength of bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance existing synergies between Mauritius and South Africa. The meeting focused on accelerating implementation of Agenda 2063, promoting intra-African trade, and building integrated value chains.

Dr. Manzini noted that three visits by South African SMEs to Mauritius had already been facilitated, with growing interest in using the island as a springboard for regional expansion. These initiatives directly support the objectives of both the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the broader continental agenda of economic self-reliance.

Mr. Kundasamy highlighted Mauritius’ business-friendly regulatory environment, robust financial services sector, skilled bilingual workforce, and network of trade agreements – factors positioning the country as an ideal partner for South African businesses seeking to expand across Africa and Asia.

In addition to trade and investment, the importance of peace and stability as prerequisites for economic development was emphasised. Drawing from his own diplomatic experience, Mr. Kundasamy called for closer cooperation between Mauritius and South Africa in promoting unity and resilience across the continent.

Advancing Indonesia-Mauritius Economic Cooperation

A few days earlier, on 23 May 2025, the EDB welcomed Lanang Seputro, Head of Mission of the Republic of Indonesia for Mauritius, accompanied by Salim G. Joonas, Honorary Consul of Indonesia, and Dr. Ahmed S. Badrais, Vice President of Ameerah Al Mubarakah Sdn Bhd.

Kate Chamley noted Mauritius’ potential to serve as a regional hub for higher education.

The meeting reaffirmed cordial relations between Mauritius and Indonesia, and explored avenues for enhanced economic cooperation. Discussions aligned with the goals of Agenda 2063, with particular attention to opportunities presented by AfCFTA.

Mr. Kundasamy underscored Mauritius’ strategic positioning as a gateway to Africa and its ambition to develop as an “ocean state,” leveraging its 2.3 million km² Exclusive Economic Zone. The development of the blue economy was identified as a priority area where Indonesian expertise and investment could contribute meaningfully.

Potential sectors for further collaboration include manufacturing, agribusiness, smart cities, financial services, real estate, and renewable energy. Dr. Badrais noted that these areas correspond well to his organisation’s competencies, signalling readiness to explore future opportunities.

Honorary Consul Joonas encouraged the EDB to organise focused promotional missions in Indonesia to highlight Mauritius’ potential as a business platform for Indonesian companies seeking an African presence.

Australia Looks to Mauritius for Strategic Partnership

On 21 May 2025, the EDB hosted Kate Chamley, High Commissioner of Australia to Mauritius, for discussions on bilateral cooperation.

Education emerged as a particularly promising area for collaboration. Kate Chamley noted Mauritius’ potential to serve as a regional hub for higher education, citing existing partnerships with institutions such as Curtin University. With education the fourth-largest economic pillar in Australia, there is scope for further development of this sector in Mauritius.

Other areas of focus included financial services, the blue economy, renewable energy, and bilateral trade. Given that both countries are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), there is a shared institutional framework to support cooperation in sustainable development and regional governance.

Mr. Kundasamy outlined EDB’s interest in organising targeted missions to Australia, aimed at positioning Mauritius as a strategic gateway to African markets for Australian businesses.

The development of the blue economy was identified as a priority area where Indonesian expertise and investment could contribute meaningfully.

Japan-Mauritius Economic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Context

The EDB also received Kan Masahiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Mauritius, for an introductory courtesy call.

Discussions focused on furthering economic cooperation between Mauritius and Japan, with reference to Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) strategy, which emphasises rule-based order, trade openness, and maritime security.

Japanese companies have expressed interest in leveraging Mauritius as a gateway to Africa. Current exports to Japan, such as tuna, provide a basis for expanding and diversifying trade, with opportunities in high-value products such as special sugars, rum, garments, and processed foods.

The upcoming ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), to be held in Yokohama in August 2025, was identified as an opportunity to showcase Mauritius as an investment platform for Japanese companies targeting Africa. The EDB plans to work closely with Japanese partners such as JETRO, JICA, JBCA, and UNIDO-ITPO Tokyo to attract investment in key sectors.

China-Mauritius Trade and Investment Dialogue

From 11 to 14 May 2025, a Chinese business delegation, led by Liu Chang, Director of National Gems & Jewellery Testing Co. Ltd, visited Mauritius to explore investment opportunities. The visit was facilitated by the EDB, and included sector-specific engagements in jewellery, diamond processing, financial services, construction, and sustainable manufacturing.

Mauritius’ Free Trade Agreement with China – the first such agreement between China and an African country – provides an institutional framework for strengthening trade and investment ties. The Chinese delegation’s visit included business-to-business meetings, company visits, and institutional presentations at the EDB.

Geerish Bucktowonsing, Director of Industry, SMEs, Freeport and Logistics at the EDB, emphasised the importance of expanding trade volumes and strengthening the economic corridor between Mauritius and China.