Mauritius continues to attract strong investment interest from South Africans, alongside growing participation from other foreign investors, reinforcing its position as Africa’s wealthiest economy and a preferred destination for international capital.
According to businesstech, Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), boutique investment advisory firm Stewards Investment Capital and New World Wealth teamed up to review Mauritius’ growth as a wealth hub.
Thanks to its thriving financial services sector, solid tech infrastructure, competitive tax rates and strong safety & security, Mauritius is positioned to become a world-leading millionaire hotspot.
New World Wealth noted that from 2015 to 2025, the total investable wealth held in Mauritius increased by 67%, making it the fastest-growing market in Africa over the period.
Growth in the centi-millionaire segment has been especially pronounced at 150%. High-net-worth individuals refer to those with liquid wealth of $1 million or more.
READ: News: South Africa Retains Top Spot as Africa’s Billionaires Hub
There are approximately 4,800 such individuals currently living in Mauritius, including 14 ultra-wealthy centi-millionaires.
Mauritius ranks as the wealthiest country in Africa on a per capita basis ($40,800), significantly above the second-placed South Africa ($11,700).
The companies stated that wealth per capita (average wealth per person) is arguably the best indicator of an economy’s proper financial health, making it a key metric.
The countries & territories with the highest wealth per capita globally include Monaco, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
Why it’s growing
According to the Bank of Mauritius, countries that are investing heavily in Mauritius include France, South Africa, the UK, and the UAE, with strong FDI inflows from these countries.
Mauritius is appealing to high-net-worth individuals due to its thriving financial services sector, as well as being the safest country in Africa according to the Global Peace Index.
The country also has relatively low taxes, which encourage business formation and appeal to wealthy retirees.
The standard corporate tax is 15%, and the top rate of the standard income tax is a relatively modest 20%. Notably, there is no capital gains tax and no estate duty.
Individuals living in Mauritius are also free to invest overseas, with no exchange controls and no capital gains tax on their investments, which gives it an advantage over other wealth hubs.
The country also offers permanent residency to those who purchase a property valued at US$375,000 or more, encouraging wealthy individuals to relocate to the country.
The well-developed banking system and stock exchange have also encouraged people to invest their money within the country and grow it locally.
This also ensures that any economic growth is reflected in wealth creation. The country is also a convenient base for doing business in Southern and East Africa.
The nation’s financial system also has strong links to the UAE, France, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India.
Moreover, ownership rights are powerful in Mauritius, encouraging investment in property and businesses in the country.
The well-developed luxury residential sector features several posh areas, with the country also a world leader in eco-estate living.
When it comes to luxury tourism, the island nation has several major luxury hotel groups based in it. Air Mauritius offers direct flights to many of the world’s key cities,
Mauritius is also a popular snorkelling and scuba diving hotspot for HNWIs from Europe and Southern Africa.
Affluent travellers will also combine trips to Mauritius with visits to nearby South Africa, Madagascar, and Réunion
