Insights from professionals about Mauritius
Leisure
MAMA JAZ returns this April for its 11th edition. Staying true to its spirit of creation and improvisation, this year's festival highlights “Natural Intelligence,” celebrating human creative genius at a time when artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly prominent role in our societies. Concerts, performances and artistic encounters will take place throughout April in Port Louis, with the aim of bringing together a wide audience around a free and universal vision of music. Gavin Poonoosamy, the founder of this now-unmissable event on the local music scene, spoke to Expat.com.
Work
Over the last fifteen years, Mauritius's job market has evolved rapidly. As the economy opened up, new sectors emerged, and international professionals increasingly chose the island, recruitment practices naturally followed suit. Today, recruiting in Mauritius is a far more structured and digital process, shaped as much by technology as by a renewed focus on people.
Schools & studies
Born in the heart of Silicon Valley, Holberton School has quickly established itself as a major international player in digital skills training. Its intensive, practice-driven model is built almost entirely around hands-on work and real-world projects, aiming to align learning as closely as possible with professional realities. Now present in around twenty countries, Holberton opened its Mauritius campus in 2025 with a clear goal: to train job-ready tech professionals locally and meet the growing needs of the Mauritian and regional tech ecosystem. In this interview, Frédéric Waeber, cofounder of Holberton Mauritius, reflects on the school's educational philosophy, the rationale for its launch on the island, the challenges it has faced since its inception, and the opportunities emerging for students in a fast-changing sector.
Work
Shirin Gunny leads the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers (AMM) and has been steering the Made in Moris label since 2013, shaping it into a true driver of national pride and economic transformation. Under her leadership, Made in Moris now brings together more than 300 companies and stands as a strong, unified brand across eight key sectors. A graduate of HEC Montréal, she began her career at Cossette, where her work for international brands earned her major distinctions, including Cannes Lions and the Grand Prix Stratégies. Visionary and strategic, Shirin Gunny has repositioned the AMM as a central force for innovation, responsible production and sustainable industrial development, cultivating partnerships aligned with SDG 17. She is also a visual artist, creating pieces using natural materials.
Schools & studies
After founding several successful Montessori schools on Réunion Island, Stéphanie Payet and her husband are expanding their vision with a new project in Mauritius. Once an HR professional, Stéphanie is now fully committed to education, working to create a school that blends academic rigor, independence, and international-mindedness. In this interview, she shares the story behind the project, her journey, and the principles that guide her work.
Work
Behind the postcard-perfect image of Mauritius lies a labor market undergoing significant change. Wage pressures, talent shortages, and demographic challenges are reshaping employment on the island. To better understand these dynamics and identify opportunities for foreign professionals, we spoke with Barthelemy Aupee, a recruitment specialist who has been based in Mauritius since 2015. With international experience, he now supports both local and international companies in their hiring strategies across the Indian Ocean, Africa, and Europe. In this interview, he offers his perspective on the Mauritian job market, highlights the most promising sectors, and shares advice for successfully establishing a professional life on the island.
Schools & studies
Agnès Palangian is deeply devoted to the world of education. With a degree in Educational Sciences and specialized training in Montessori pedagogy and Positive Discipline, she began her career teaching kindergarten and elementary school in France. In 2017, driven by a clear vision, she relocated to Mauritius to create a space where children could grow and learn in an environment rooted in joy, respect, and trust. This vision took shape in La Maison des Enfants, a preschool that embodies her core educational values. Her journey didn't stop there. Alongside her partner, Caroline Debiesme, Agnès went on to establish 1,2,3 Soleil, a daycare center, followed by Les Enfants du Soleil, an elementary school. Today, Agnès continues to cultivate a culture of kindness through her work as a trainer and consultant. Her insights into education are invaluable, and her unwavering dedication to respectful, positive pedagogy remains a source of inspiration.
Leisure
Marking a decade of rich melodies and meaningful encounters, the Mama Jaz festival dazzles with its artistic diversity and inviting atmosphere. In honor of its tenth anniversary, enjoy intimate interviews with the artists who illuminate its stages. Explore the passions and inspirations that fuel these exceptional talents, making Mama Jaz an essential destination for all music aficionados.
Work
If you have an innovative project, Mauritius could be a good choice to launch it. The destination has indeed become an increasingly attractive destination for expatriate entrepreneurs, offering not only a pleasant lifestyle, but also a supportive environment for start-ups to thrive. Incubators play a crucial role in fostering this favourable environment. Let's explore with Michel Cordani, Managing Director of incubator La Plage Factory, how the start-up ecosystem has evolved and why Mauritius is an appealing destination for expat entrepreneurs.
Work
The first day at a new job is always daunting. Stress, exhaustion, loneliness and nervous excitement are all common emotions but add on top of that, culture shock, language barriers and trying to settle your family into their new life abroad, it can all get overwhelming.
Schools & studies
Fred Swaniker is the man behind the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg and ALU in Mauritius and Rwanda. Fred Swaniker speaks to Expat.com about the link between expatriation and entrepreneurship. He also talks about Africa's future leaders and the power of a diverse education, which engages, brings the students in the core of real life situations, and boosts entrepreneurial thinking.
Other Types
Visas
Mauritius is taking its attractiveness strategy to the next level. Announced at the Cabinet Meeting on April 10, 2026, a Golden Visa Scheme is currently in the works, alongside a dedicated concierge service for ultra-high-net-worth investors. Behind the announcement lies a clear and deliberate ambition: to capture capital on the move, and fast.
Everyday life
At a time when the Middle East is going through one of its most serious geopolitical crises in decades, Mauritius finds itself on the front line of the economic repercussions of a conflict beyond its control. A recent UNDP report has quantified the extent of these risks with precision. Diesel prices have already increased. Rumors of rising petrol and bread prices continue to circulate, despite government efforts to deny them. Meanwhile, the first concrete responses are beginning to emerge within businesses. Here is a full breakdown of the measures shaping daily life in Mauritius.
Leisure
The MAMA JAZ festival unveils its Grand Concerts program for April, featuring a series of unmissable musical evenings at the Galerie du Génie, Édith, in Port-Louis. Every Wednesday from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM, audiences are invited to explore distinctive artistic worlds brought to life by local talent.
Leisure
After the lively summer months, April brings a welcome change of pace to Mauritius. As humidity drops and the atmosphere becomes more pleasant, it's the perfect time to make the most of local events, which are often easier to access. That said, rest assured that the cultural calendar remains packed. From music festivals and international concerts to sporting events and outdoor experiences, April is full of surprises. Here are the highlights to add to your diary.
Accommodation
For many expatriates, it is the signal they have been waiting for. According to the latest Property Cloud index, rents for properties accessible to foreign tenants have fallen for the first time in several years. While the local rental market continues to climb, this shift creates a window of opportunity for those planning a move to Mauritius. The real question is how long it will stay open.
Everyday life
Caity De Chasteigner Dumée-Duval's move from South Africa to Mauritius marked a turning point in both her personal and professional life. After years in the fast-paced world of corporate advertising, she chose to embrace a different rhythm, one that places family, creativity and balance at the centre. Now based in Tamarin and founder of Eighty Twenty, a creative agency, she reflects on the leap that brought her to the island, the challenges of starting a business as a newcomer, and the philosophy that now guides the way she works and lives.
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