SAINT-DENIS, October 23, 2026 — The third edition of the CEO Summit Indian Ocean will be held on March 11 and 12, 2027 at Le Moca, Domaine de Montgaillard, in La Réunion. This is a first: for the first time since its creation, the summit is leaving Madagascar to be hosted in La Réunion, marking a new milestone in the island's regional economic outreach. More than 600 executives, investors and economic stakeholders are expected, representing over 30 countries that are members or associates of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
A growing summit
The first two editions, held in Antananarivo (Madagascar), brought together nearly 1,500 decision-makers in total. The third edition promises over 100 high-level speakers and aims to establish the CEO Summit as the reference economic platform in the Indian Ocean. This year's theme — "The Power to Go Beyond" — reflects a collective ambition: to expand horizons beyond familiar markets, forge new alliances and identify new growth levers in a shifting geopolitical and commercial context.
Eight strategic tracks for the Indian Ocean
The programme will revolve around eight major themes: tourism, human capital, connectivity and ports, blue and green economy, health, economic integration, growth financing, and agribusiness and food security. B2B matchmaking sessions, business lunches and an exhibition space will give regional companies a showcase for their projects and innovations. Six awards will recognise the best initiatives, including CEO of the Year, Innovation and CSR trophies — plus a special "La Réunion" award for exceptional contribution to local economic dynamism.
La Réunion as a regional IORA hub
The choice of La Réunion as host underlines its potential as a bridge between island and continental economies. Its geographic position, euro-zone membership, digital infrastructure and access to European investment mechanisms make it a unique articulation point between Africa, South Asia and the IORA islands. With 30 countries present — from India to Australia, Mozambique, Mauritius and the Comoros — the summit gives La Réunion an international visibility rarely achieved in this format.
Why it matters
The CEO Summit Indian Ocean is one of the few forums where Mauritian, Malagasy, Réunionese, Kenyan, Indian and Australian executives share the same table to work on joint projects. IORA economies account for over $21 trillion in combined GDP. For Business.OI readers, March 11, 2027 will be a strategic date not to miss: the next great opportunity to build partnerships across the entire Indian Ocean.
Sources: Newsmada, Zinfos974, Indian Ocean CEO Summit.