[MAURITIUS] EDB Approves 63 Strategic Projects Worth €3 Billion: Mauritius Accelerates its Shift Towards a Knowledge Economy

The EDB approves 63 major projects worth MUR 159.3 billion, introduces a US$1M Golden Visa, an AI zone at Côte-d'Or and the 'Silent Agreement' principle. A look at the reforms repositioning Mauritius ahead of regional competition.

Maurice — Business.OI
Photo : RDNE Stock project / Pexels

In June 2026, Mauritius's Economic Development Board (EDB) approved a 20-point roadmap to transform the island into a high-value, knowledge-driven economy. A total of 63 major projects worth MUR 159.3 billion — approximately €3 billion — were validated between April 2025 and May 2026. A strong signal to regional and international investors.

Sixty-three projects, three billion euros

The approved portfolio spans a broad spectrum: FinTech, healthcare, construction, hospitality, agri-industry and artificial intelligence. Among these projects, 16 are dedicated to renewable energy, representing MUR 8.75 billion (~€160 million). The stated ambition: to position Mauritius as the preferred access platform to Sub-Saharan African and Middle Eastern markets.

The bet on foreign talent

To address skills gaps, the EDB is innovating on multiple fronts. A streamlined new Technical Occupation Permit eases the recruitment of foreign professionals in high-growth sectors. Government-to-government (G-to-G) agreements will directly target pools of qualified talent abroad. Micro-certifications complement the framework, with particular focus on AI and FinTech roles.

Golden Visa and AI special zone at Côte-d'Or

The Golden Visa scheme has been upgraded: the minimum investment threshold is set at US$1 million in priority sectors — FinTech, green energy, aquaculture — in exchange for permanent residency. Additionally, a special economic zone entirely dedicated to artificial intelligence is planned in the Côte-d'Or corridor, designed to attract technology companies and data centres.

The 'Silent Agreement': an administrative revolution

The most anticipated innovation for operators: the silent consent principle. If the administration does not respond within the set timeframe, approval is automatically granted — a major break from traditional administrative culture, welcomed by the Mauritian private sector. Two new investment certificates in digital technologies round out the attractiveness toolkit.

Why it matters

Mauritius is playing a decisive attractiveness card amid heightened regional competition — from modernising Seychelles to rising African hubs. By combining fiscal reform, administrative simplification, global talent openness and digital infrastructure, the island seeks to consolidate its position as the reference hub for investors targeting Africa. With €3 billion in projects validated over thirteen months, the trajectory is clear: Mauritius wants to transition from a traditional service economy to a knowledge economy.

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