On June 10, 2026, the European Union and four Indian Ocean island states — Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles — officially concluded negotiations on a significantly expanded Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). For the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, such an agreement covers not only goods but also services, investment and digital trade.
A landmark trade framework
Both parties described the new text as a "modern and comprehensive free trade agreement," marking a historic first for sub-Saharan Africa. It encompasses goods, services, investments, digital commerce and includes sectoral cooperation clauses in strategic domains such as fisheries, agriculture and technology. According to the joint statement published by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the agreement remains open to other East and Southern African states wishing to join "when they are ready."
Four islands, a regional opportunity
Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles form the African signatory group. For these four island economies, the agreement represents potentially secured access to the EU single market for their services — financial services in Mauritius, digital in Seychelles, agri-food in Madagascar and Comoros. It also opens the door to more structured European investment in the region, previously hampered by the absence of a legal framework covering services.
Réunion and Mayotte: the notable absences
The exclusion of the French territories of Réunion and Mayotte from the negotiations sparked political pushback. European Parliament Vice-President Younous Omarjee publicly condemned their exclusion, arguing these two outermost regions «should have been part of the discussions.» The episode raises a structural question: how can French outermost regions integrate with trade deals the EU signs in their immediate neighbourhood?
What comes next
Concluding negotiations is not equivalent to a final signature. Both parties committed to completing ratification «in the fastest possible timeframe.» On the European side, this requires a European Parliament vote and member state approval — a process that can take several months. For businesses in the region, the priority is to anticipate the new EU market access rules now rather than waiting for formal entry into force.
Why it matters
For Indian Ocean business leaders, this agreement is a landmark signal: the region is no longer seen as a commercial periphery but as a structured partner of the European Union. Being the first in sub-Saharan Africa to cover services places Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles in a pioneering position, likely to attract European investors seeking solid regional bases.