“The Choice of Mauritius as the Regional Hub of International SOS Was an Easy One”

International SOS Group, a pioneer and global leader in health and safety risk management services, has strategically chosen to position its regional headquarters for Africa, and a global Assistance Centre dedicated to occupational medicine, in Mauritius. This investment reflects International SOS’s intention to strengthen its presence in Africa, and to use Mauritius as a platform to support this strategy.

In Africa, International SOS operates in many countries with various types of clients, including energy producers, mining and construction companies, industrial operators, service companies, and governmental organisations. To support such operations, it requires multilingual and multicultural skills, a legal framework suitable for international business, and a stable environment.

With over 30 years of experience in Africa, International SOS boasts a particularly robust network of assistance resources and partners, and deep expertise to support its clients in any critical health or security situation. “Our presence in Africa has helped protect corporate reputations against risks, ensure organisational productivity, and guarantee the well-being of their workforce. We also work with organisations and governments to implement public health programmes on the continent,” says Philippe Couturier, Regional General Manager of International SOS for Africa.

Following the granting of its operating license in Mauritius in 2019, the company began its journey with an initial team of four employees. In 2021, International SOS opened its regional headquarters at the Smart City in Moka, Mauritius, and in 2022, established an Assistance Centre for managing its ‘WorkSafe’ occupational medicine solution. The company now employs over 120 people in Mauritius, 81% of whom are Mauritian. Its teams comprise medical professionals, doctors and nurses, as well as specialists in Finance, Human Resources, Sales and Marketing.

“In 2019, just before the pandemic, International SOS decided to create a regional hub for Africa,” said Laurent Sabourin, the Group Managing Director, in his speech at the inauguration. He spoke about the strategic decision behind the move, and the company’s future plans in the region.

“The choice of Mauritius as our regional hub was an easy one. This is not just due to the ease of doing business here or the abundant pool of local talent. It’s not just about the island’s excellent connectivity with the global economy. What sets Mauritius apart for us at International SOS is its vibrant multiculturalism – a characteristic that reminds us of our early days in Singapore, and which we believe to be a fundamental pillar of our success,” Laurent Sabourin stated.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, International SOS has steadily increased its investment in its Mauritian workforce since 2019. “Along this journey, we have also partnered with the local healthcare system and the Mauritian medical community, particularly in relation to overseas patients,” Laurent Sabourin proudly shared

The Group Managing Director expressed his confidence in Mauritius as a burgeoning medical hub, and in International SOS’s future on the island. “Today, we inaugurate our expanded new headquarters here in Moka, Mauritius, with confidence in the country and its potential,” he said.

International SOS, founded and headquartered in Singapore, is a global enterprise serving governments, multilateral institutions, and large corporations. The company supports clients when deploying outside their home base with custom health, security and well-being solutions.

“International SOS’s global reach includes 13,000 employees, a large part of them being medical professionals. But equally important is our network of more than 100,000 health partners,” Laurent Sabourin explained. “We have been operating in Africa for more than three decades, with a dense network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, and partners across the continent.”

The inauguration of International SOS’s new regional headquarters in Mauritius underscores the company’s continued commitment to expanding its presence in Africa and leveraging Mauritius’s strategic location, multicultural workforce, and conducive business environment to support this strategy.

What sets Mauritius apart for us at International SOS is its vibrant multiculturalism – a characteristic that reminds us of our early days in Singapore, and which we believe to be a fundamental pillar of our success