The most ambitious bilateral economic summit ever held between Madagascar and Mauritius concluded on August 14 in Antananarivo. Nearly 500 entrepreneurs and 10 sectoral delegations spent 48 hours exploring how to convert existing trade flows into concrete investment projects.
A 48-hour forum at CCI Ivato
Organised by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie Maurice-Madagascar (CCIMM), the Moris Mada Business Connect 2026 brought together operators from both countries around an intensive agenda: sectoral roundtables, B2B meetings and signing of agreements in principle. Three structured partnerships across undisclosed sectors are expected to be formalised in the coming weeks.
Madagascar's Minister of Industrialisation, who opened proceedings, set the tone: « Strengthening commercial and industrial ties between Madagascar and Mauritius should contribute to economic development across the entire Indian Ocean region. »
Complementarity over competition
The forum's ambition goes beyond bilateral trade. Mauritius brings expertise in financial services, logistics and access to African markets; Madagascar offers natural resources, a large labour pool and vast untapped agricultural potential. Formal trade between the two countries remains modest — estimated at a few tens of millions of euros annually — while geographic and cultural proximity argues for far greater flows.
The CCIMM has long pushed to remove administrative barriers: business visas, mutual recognition of certifications and customs harmonisation remain the main obstacles identified by participants.
Why it matters
For Madagascar, attracting Mauritian expertise into its special economic zones could accelerate industrialisation in a country whose growth is projected at 6% in 2026, according to the African Development Bank. For Mauritius, diversifying regional partnerships reduces dependence on Europe and opens a market of 28 million consumers. The next summit edition is planned in Mauritius, with a dedicated track on agro-industry and digital services.
Sources: Newsmada (14 August 2026); Afriquinfos (14 August 2026); CCIMM.