With a new government at the helm, Mauritius 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.
Mauritius is at a pivotal moment as the newly elected government embarks on a mission to stabilise the country’s economy and chart a renewed path for sustainable growth.
The government 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, the new Mauritian government aims to create new sources of economic growth and attract important investments from foreign players, especially in real estate.
Mauritius’ economic outlook and investment opportunities will be a central focus at the third instalment of the annual API Mauritius & Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum, which will take place on 26 June 2025 at the InterContinental Hotel in Mauritius. The forum is set to expand on its two previous successes and provide more insights about investment opportunities in Mauritius.
The government’s emphasis on infrastructure development, climate resilience, and supportive fiscal policies positions Mauritius as an increasingly attractive destination for international capital. Industry players highlight that Mauritius’ new government has committed to a path of sustainable growth and transparency, which reinforces investor confidence.
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.
As a board director and advisor with over 25 years of hands-on experience across the African continent, Teeroovengadum brings deep expertise in deal-making in sectors such as real estate, hospitality, telecoms, and others, which puts him in good stead regarding the drivers of investments.
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.
Wayne Godwin, CEO of JLL Africa, says Mauritius has hallmarks that are already beneficiary to its potential in the African continent.
“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.
“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,” says Godwin, who leads JLL’s business in Africa that has exposure to some of the fastest-growing cities in the continent.
Godwin also leads JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group division in Africa, the largest and most successful hotel advisor and broker in Africa. This places him in the best position to opine about investment opportunities in Mauritius’s hospitality and tourism industry at the upcoming API Mauritius & Indian Oceans Property Investment Forum.
In the face of rising climate risks, financial innovation, and climate-resilient public-private partnerships are also taking center stage. 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. EnVolt and Cim Finance have emerged as early leaders in the green finance movement in Mauritius, playing a pivotal role in mobilising capital for sustainable development and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Recycling capital from mature assets into eco-certified, resilient developments is fast becoming essential for long-term value creation in coastal tourism and mixed-use projects.
But beyond sustainability, there is a pressing need to ensure that development also delivers inclusive economic opportunity.
“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, part of the Elevante Group. Elevante is a leading independent real estate advisory and property services firm in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean region, known for its deep market insight, strategic guidance, and regional transaction expertise across all asset classes.
As Mauritius prepares to unveil its national budget in June, all eyes are on the government’s roadmap for economic recovery and long-term growth. The coming months will be critical in shaping a more resilient, competitive and sustainable future – positioning the country as a global destination for investment, innovation, and climate-smart development.
La République de Maurice se tourne vers la reprise économique et la croissance durable sous l’impulsion de son nouveau gouvernement. Le Forum API Maurice et Océan Indien sur l’Investissement Immobilier, prévu le 26 juin 2025, mettra en lumière les opportunités d’investissement.
Le gouvernement doit relever des défis fiscaux importants et cherche à attirer les investissements étrangers, notamment dans l’immobilier, en misant sur le développement des infrastructures, la résilience climatique et des politiques fiscales favorables.
Des experts comme Kevin Teeroovengadum soulignent l’urgence d’un plan stratégique audacieux pour attirer des profils étrangers de qualité et positionner Maurice comme une destination de choix pour vivre, travailler et prendre sa retraite. Bien que l’île offre un environnement stable et un style de vie attrayant, l’ouverture aux développeurs étrangers et aux investisseurs institutionnels est cruciale pour des secteurs émergents comme les bâtiments verts et les logements abordables. Wayne Godwin de JLL Africa note l’attractivité de Maurice pour l’investissement direct étranger, malgré des obstacles liés aux taxes de transfert immobilier.
L’innovation financière et les partenariats public-privé axés sur la résilience climatique prennent de l’ampleur, avec l’utilisation de normes de construction écologique et d’obligations vertes. Au-delà de la durabilité, il est essentiel de créer des opportunités économiques inclusives. Bernard Forster d’Elevante Consulting insiste sur la nécessité de canaliser les investissements étrangers vers des secteurs créateurs d’emplois significatifs pour la jeunesse mauricienne, tels que la fabrication de pointe et les services technologiques, afin que les jeunes Mauriciens puissent s’épanouir chez eux.
Alors que Maurice s’apprête à dévoiler son budget national en juin, tous les regards sont tournés vers la feuille de route du gouvernement pour un avenir plus résilient, compétitif et durable.
