Mauritius Eyes Africa as 11 Firms Join New Global Trade Expansion Drive

Mauritian industry leaders are pivoting toward the African continent to safeguard the national economy against rising global instability and surging operational costs triggered by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

At the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) held on 27 April, industry veterans warned that the conflict in the Middle East is likely to be prolonged, bringing significant repercussions for the global economy, specifically through hiked energy and freight prices.

A Strategic Shift to Africa

To counter these pressures, the AMM is championing a strategy of internationalisation.

François de Grivel, a prominent industrialist, argued that establishing operations on the African mainland is now a “difficult to bypass” necessity.

“Africa offers interesting perspectives due to its lower dependence on imports,” de Grivel noted, adding that shifting activities to the continent could reduce operating costs, allow for more competitive pricing, and generate essential foreign currency for the trade balance.

The association also pointed to the “Singapore model” as a benchmark, noting how that nation maintains a strong international presence despite labour costs higher than those in Mauritius.

Leadership Transition and Future Readiness

The meeting marked a formal change in leadership, with Jean-Pierre Lim Kong, CEO of Innodis Group, appointed as the new President of the Board, succeeding Lawrence Wong.

In his maiden address, Mr Lim Kong emphasised that his priority is to bolster local productive sovereignty and economic resilience.

He specifically called for a shift toward long-term structural changes, such as the increased development of solar energy to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices.

“En Route Vers l’International”

The AMM is moving from a reactive to a proactive stance through the launch of the “En Route Vers l’International” (ERVI) programme.

Originating from a 2025 budget measure, this initiative will support 11 local companies in their expansion into regional and African markets between May 2026 and January 2027.

Samuel Maujean, Deputy COO of the AMM, highlighted that while the manufacturing sector acted as a vital stabiliser during the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the industry must now evolve.

“Adaptation must no longer be solely a reaction to crises,” he stated, calling for a more structured and anticipatory approach to future uncertainties.

The AMM is currently preparing its budget memorandum for the government, seeking a stable framework through the Industry Bill and continued public-private dialogue to protect local production against the rising tide of imported competition.

The New AMM Board (2026-27):

Source: Defi Media