Mauritius and the New Geography of Global Trade – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade

Mauritius and the New Geography of Global Trade

As global trade patterns shift and Africa’s economic integration accelerates, Dhananjay Ramful outlines Mauritius’ ambition to position itself as a bridge between Africa, Asia, Europe, and the US through diplomacy and cooperation.

Honourable Minister, how has your professional journey prepared you for this role?
My background is primarily in law. I completed my tertiary education in London before returning to Mauritius to begin my career in private practice. Later, I joined the anti-corruption agency as Senior Legal Advisor before opening my own legal chambers. The head of my chambers was himself a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, and my father-in-law also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Republic. Studying law exposed me to subjects such as international trade, commerce, and European law, which now help me better understand the work of this ministry. Ultimately, the opportunity to serve in this role came through the confidence placed in me by the Prime Minister. It is a broad ministry with responsibilities that are central to Mauritius’ future.

How would you define the ministry’s core mandate today?
Mauritius faces unique vulnerabilities and challenges as a small island developing state, and the role of the ministry is to help transform those challenges into opportunities. Diplomatically, we assess global developments, advise the government on foreign policy, and maintain international relationships through our embassies and high commissions. Regional integration is equally important. Mauritius is a member of organizations including the Indian Ocean Commission, SADC, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Through these platforms, we work on priorities linked to climate change, maritime security, sustainable development, and economic integration. Trade is another major pillar. International trade is now inseparable from diplomacy and regional cooperation, and we have dedicated teams advising the government on trade policy in an evolving geopolitical environment.

The African Continental Free Trade Area represents one of the greatest opportunities of our time, and Mauritius is positioning itself as a stable gateway for global investment into Africa.”

How does Mauritius balance commercial interests with diplomatic priorities?
For Mauritius, balance is essential. Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East are all important partners, and as a small country, we must maintain strong and constructive relationships with each of them. Our trade agreements are designed not only to support economic growth, but also to create long-term strategic partnerships. We have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India covering preferential access for more than 615 Mauritian products. We also have agreements with the UAE and China, including ongoing discussions around “FTA 2.0” with China aimed at expanding tariff-free trade even further. With the United States, Mauritius benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows duty-free exports for a range of products. Mauritius has also developed a mature and well-regulated financial services sector that supports international investment flows and has become an important pillar of the economy.

Why is Africa becoming increasingly important for Mauritius?
Africa represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of the future. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is particularly transformative because it creates a market of more than 1.8 billion people across 54 countries. Africa has natural resources, a young labor force, and enormous market potential. Many countries still require greater levels of investment, technology, and expertise, creating opportunities for partnerships with investors from Asia, Europe, and the United States. Mauritius is positioning itself as a stable and reliable platform for investment into Africa. Investors are looking for transparency, regulatory certainty, strong institutions, and ease of doing business, and these are areas where Mauritius has built a strong reputation internationally. This is also why we are strengthening relationships with organizations such as the Corporate Council on Africa and hosting international summits that bring together governments, investors, and businesses from across continents.

How is the government engaging with Mauritians overseas?
Mauritians abroad remain strongly connected to the country, whether they are based in Europe, Australia, Canada, or the United States. A few years ago, Mauritius introduced a diaspora scheme designed to encourage Mauritians to return and invest back home. The scheme includes incentives such as an eight-year tax holiday for returning Mauritians who establish businesses locally, as well as exemptions on duties for assets they bring back to the country. These measures have already helped attract skilled professionals back to Mauritius. We are currently working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to review and modernize the scheme further so that it becomes even more attractive and encourages greater engagement from the diaspora.

What is your broader vision for Mauritius globally?
Mauritius is uniquely positioned between Africa and Asia. Our vision is to strengthen the country’s role as a trusted gateway connecting global capital, trade, and investment opportunities with the African continent. The coming years are particularly important for Mauritius on the diplomatic front. We will host major international gatherings, including the Corporate Council on Africa summit and the Indian Ocean Conference, bringing together investors and policymakers from around the world. These events are opportunities to showcase Mauritius not only as a tourism destination, but also as a stable, modern, and globally connected economy capable of facilitating international cooperation and investment across the Africa-Asia corridor.

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