Expat news in Mauritius
Everyday life
This week, Mauritius recorded a sharp rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, and the Prime Minister held a speech at a conference on drug addiction. Also, the country is about to sign an agreement with the French Development Agency.
In Mauritius this week, there were a few notable news items. First, the National Assembly passed a law on waste management, while World Hemophilia Day was commemorated in Quatre-Bornes. Additionally, a trade agreement was signed with the United Kingdom, a draft agreement to address flooding in Rodrigues was announced and the world's most instagrammable hotel is found in Mauritius.
In the news this week, the numbers are promising regarding tourism for the first quarter of the year, MCB is once again the best private bank on the island and 30 recipients of a scholarship to study finance.
Mauritius is expected to experience notable economic growth, as reported by Statistics Mauritius. Also, the U.S. State Department's recent report on human rights practices in the country raises concerns about instances of police abuse, corruption, and lack of accountability. Additionally, the passing of Serge Lebrasse, a pioneer of Mauritian sega and a celebrated musical artist, has left a significant cultural void in the country.
The Metro Express in Mauritius is expanding its hours of operation on Fridays and Saturdays, starting this week. Since the launch of first phase of the Metro Express in September 2019, which connected Port Louis to Rose-Hill, the company has been working to expand the rail system. So where does the Metro Express currently stand and what can we expect in the future?
In the news this week, an amendment allows commercialisation of HIV self-test kits. Also, a new school calendar for public schools.
In the news this week, the Minister of Finance, Renganaden Padayachy is meeting with local artists ahead of the 2023-2024 budget, 27 endemic trees have been planted at La Citadelle as part of a reforestation program and household debt is on the rise.
In recent years, trail running has gained tremendous popularity in Mauritius. With its varied terrain and breathtaking scenery, Mauritius offers a unique and challenging trail running experience. Here is a selection of trail races not to be missed on the island.
In the news for the week of March 13, pre-primary schools will soon be free, pre-budget consultations launched and better economic prospects for the country according to SBM Insights.
Leisure
Discover or rediscover the Gros Cailloux leisure park with Expat.com and spend a fun day doing outdoor activities, meeting other families, and learning more about the local flora and fauna.
Everyday life
This weekend, Mauritians celebrate the island's 55 years of independence; a case of malaria detected in the North; reservoirs are filling up; and Mauritius is one of the most popular countries for real estate investors.
The fishing season is officially open, a boat is intercepted for illegal fishing, the Prime Minister announces facilitation of the reintegration of prisoners, and MCB analysts deplore Mauritius' poor economic performance.
Thanks to the heavy rains, two reservoirs are now 100% full. Also in the news, two Chagossians in the running for the Nobel Peace Prize and a drop in medicine prices.
Since Wednesday, February 1, electricity costs are up to 30% more. Large consumers are particularly affected by this increase. Also in the news, inflation could reach 6.1% in 2023 and a tool to analyze sea water quality.
The increase in the Repo rate is not without consequences. This has led to an increase in interest rates for bank loans. Also in the news, the sun is expected to come out again over the weekend.
As expected, inflation rose for the month of December reaching 12.2%. Also in the news, nearly 1 million tourists set foot on Mauritian soil in 2022 and a new bill against domestic violence is in the works.
Summer rains are overdue. The average reservoir fill rate has dropped to less than 40%. Also in the news, almost 900,000 tourists have visited the country this year.
The sinking of the "Yu Feng", a Taiwanese fishing boat, is worrying. Especially at a time when the weather in the region is not great, the authorities are struggling to approach the boat, while there are signs of diesel spillage. Also in the news, the key interest rate has been raised to 4.5%.
Other Types
Work
After several years in the technology sector, Benoit Debellaire returned to Mauritius with the ambition of making business management simpler for local entrepreneurs. In 2020, he founded B-Wi and later developed BoS, a Mauritian cloud-based platform designed to reduce paperwork, automate everyday tasks, and bring essential business tools into one place. In this interview, he discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of building a local tech company, and the role digitalization and artificial intelligence can play in the future of businesses in Mauritius.
Everyday life
What can you expect when you move to Mauritius when it comes to the school holidays? This will vary depending on whether you opt for an international school or a local government school; if you choose an international school, it varies again based on whether it is a French-speaking school or an English-speaking school. Before we even look at what expats do during their school holidays you need to understand how schooling works in Mauritius.
Work
From opening a startup's first international office in Dubai to scaling and selling a successful events-tech company before launching a new AI venture from Mauritius, Aymeric de Guerre has built his career around identifying opportunities and taking calculated risks. As the co-founder of Duodeal, he is rethinking how businesses create and deliver commercial proposals through artificial intelligence and interactive customer experiences. In this interview, he reflects on the milestones that shaped his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he has drawn from working across international markets, and why he believes Mauritius has the potential to become a leading hub for innovation and startups.
Leisure
July promises to be especially lively in Mauritius despite the whims of Mother Nature. With a number of concerts, festivals, sporting competitions, electro nights, networking events, and outdoor gatherings, there will be something for everyone throughout the month. Whether you've just arrived or you're a regular on the local events scene, our selection will help you make the most of this month.
Work
In just a few years, Mauritius has built an entrepreneurial ecosystem that is visible, structured, and supported by serious public-private partnerships. But beneath this momentum, deep obstacles persist for expat entrepreneurs: a market too small to scale on one's own, funding that dries up at the worst moment, and a talent shortage that nobody had truly anticipated. An overview of a maturing ecosystem, and what it means for foreign entrepreneurs who have chosen Mauritius to grow their business.
Everyday life
What if a plane ticket could change the course of your life? For Célia Debove, that's exactly what happened. At 32, she made the bold decision to leave behind the beauty salon she had spent eight years building, her loyal clients, and the life she knew in northern France to start over in Mauritius. It wasn't an escape, but a conscious choice to live in alignment with the person she had become through years of solo travel, self-discovery, and personal growth. Now based in the south of the island, she helps travelers design meaningful experiences and encourages women who dream of traveling alone to take their first step into the unknown. In this interview, she reflects on the doubts, challenges, and opportunities that shaped her journey.
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"