Mauritius Tops African E-Commerce Rankings with $103 Million Annual Online Spend

Mauritius has emerged as the most prepared nation in sub-Saharan Africa for the digital commerce revolution, with online shopping now generating an estimated $103 million annually.

A landmark “Digital Market Landscape Report” by the Competition Commission reveals that the island nation boasts a “solid digital foundation” and a policy environment highly conducive to the growth of online business.

According to the UNCTAD Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index, Mauritius now ranks first in Africa and 55th globally out of 151 countries.

A Fragmented but Flourishing Market

The study, which analysed data from 2024 and 2025, suggests that the local digital landscape is evolving in a positive direction.

Unlike larger international jurisdictions, Mauritius remains relatively shielded from the dominance of global giants.

While international platforms such as Amazon, Temu, Alibaba, and Shein are popular with residents, the Commission noted they have no local physical presence or dedicated logistics hubs on the island.

This has allowed a fragmented local market to flourish, featuring homegrown players across various sectors:

• Electronics: 361, Galaxy, and Courts Mammouth.
• Groceries: Winners, Mantra Foods, and Phoenix Beverages.
• Fashion & Beauty: Ibiza, Fashion House, and The Body Shop.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Hurdles

Despite the top-tier ranking, the watchdog warned that significant “efforts remain to be made” regarding infrastructure and competition.

High costs for data packages and the speed of fixed connectivity were identified as primary bottlenecks to full digitalisation.

Vipin Naugah, Executive Director of the Competition Commission, emphasised that for a small economy, digital markets are vital for breaking geographical barriers.

“It is imperative to have adequate ICT infrastructure and technologies that allow for reliable and affordable internet connection,” Mr Naugah stated.

The Roadmap to 2029

The report arrives as the government pushes forward with its Digital Transformation Plan 2025-2029.

The initiative aims to modernise legal frameworks and bolster consumer trust against fraud and cybercrime.

The Commission expressed specific concerns regarding “regulatory uncertainty” in sectors such as taxi services, online ticketing, and hotel bookings.

There is a particular call for further investigation into exclusivity agreements and price parity within the online hotel reservation segment.

Protecting the Consumer

To sustain growth, the Commission recommends proactive measures to ensure “interoperability” between digital systems, making it easier for SMEs to enter the market without the overhead of physical storefronts.

However, hurdles to consumer adoption remain. Issues such as customs clearance difficulties, discrepancies between advertised and delivered products, and long delivery times continue to hamper the user experience.

The Commission concludes that a robust consumer protection framework will be essential to fostering long-term trust in the Mauritian digital ecosystem.

Source: Defi Media