South African Investment in Mauritius Real Estate Rises 13% in 2025

South Africans are increasing their investment in Mauritius’s real estate market by over 20% in 2025, with the Tamarin and Riviere-Noire areas particularly popular. Wealthy South Africans see Mauritius, named Africa’s most peaceful country in 2025, as a safe haven for their assets.

According to the latest figures from the Bank of Mauritius, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s property sector grew by 22% in 2024.

Preliminary estimates released on April 29, 2025, show that FDI reached nearly Rs 24 billion.

Property purchases—including luxury villas and apartments—accounted for Rs 18.6 billion, a 33.8% increase compared to 2023.

The real estate sector now makes up about 70% of all FDI inflows to Mauritius.

France and South Africa remain the main sources of investment, contributing 42% of the total in 2024. South African investments alone reached Rs 4.66 billion, up 22.6% from the previous year.

This growth follows a 13% increase in foreign investment in Mauritian real estate in 2024, highlighting the sector’s expanding appeal.

This trend aligns with broader regional data: the 2024 Africa Wealth Report is predicting a 65% increase in the number of millionaires across Africa by 2033, with Mauritius among the top ten fastest-growing countries, expected to see a 95% rise.

Lance Lawson, a business development consultant at Sovereign Group, told BusinessTech.co.za that Mauritius’s stability and proximity make it highly attractive to wealthy South Africans seeking investment opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa.

He noted that luxury real estate offers potential income, capital appreciation, and flexibility for families living across different countries.

A leading local real estate agent explained that the main areas favored by South Africans are the North and West, especially Tamarin and Riviere-Noire.

“These regions have been popular for a few years now, and interest is growing,” the agent said. “However, the impact of recent budget measures on this market remains uncertain.

Some South African real estate agencies have offices in Mauritius, and many South Africans prefer to deal with them.”

The agent also mentioned that many large property developments outside ‘smart cities’ are financed by South African capital through Mauritius-based offices, mainly targeting the South African market.

The Mauritian government aims to benefit from this influx of investment. Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance, told Bloomberg earlier this year that the country plans to focus on attracting ultra-rich investors.

“We will continue to prioritize real estate, but also develop other key sectors,” he said.

Mauritius is working on measures to encourage the establishment of family offices and diversify investment options.

In contrast, South Africa faces ongoing challenges such as economic instability, high crime rates, and future uncertainties, prompting many citizens to see Mauritius as a secure retirement destination.

South African cities are often ranked among the world’s most violent, based on murder rates—placing them in the top 50 most dangerous cities globally, according to the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice and the Mexican Human Rights Commission.

Meanwhile, Mauritius remains the most peaceful country in Africa, ranking 26th worldwide on the 2025 Global Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace, with a score of 1.586 out of 5 (0 being the most peaceful).

Countries like the UK, France, and the US rank below Mauritius. Namibia and Botswana are also among Africa’s most peaceful nations.

Namibia, sharing a border with South Africa, is also seeing increased interest from South African investors, benefiting from its proximity and stability.

Source: Defi Media