Mr Nanda Narrainen, Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius (middle) and other officials/HANDOUT
The push emerged during the Kenya-Mauritius Business Forum held in Nairobi under the theme “Connecting Finance, Investment and Technology for Africa”.
The forum brought together senior representatives from banking, investment, corporate advisory, legal, technology and financial services sectors to explore opportunities for business expansion between Kenya, Mauritius and the wider African market.
Opening the forum, Nanda Narrainen, Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, said the two countries need to translate their longstanding relationship into stronger economic partnerships.
“For decades, our relationship has been rooted in mutual respect. But today, as Africa stands at the precipice of a historic economic transformation driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), respect alone is no longer enough,” Narrainen said.
He said the two countries should build stronger links in capital, technology and expertise.
“We are called to translate our historical friendship into tangible economic partnerships to build bridges of capital, technology, and human intellect that connect Port Louis to Nairobi,” he said.
The forum presented Mauritius as an international financial centre with capabilities in banking, cross-border investment, insurance, capital markets, wealth management, fintech and professional services.
According to the EDB presentation, financial services account for 12.4 per cent of Mauritius’ GDP.
The country supports approximately USD 130 billion in assets under management and had 864 global funds and 194 Variable Capital Company funds as of June 2026.
EDB data also showed that Mauritius had 13,341 Global Business Licence companies as of June 2026.
Direct inward investment of Global Business Companies in Mauritius stood at USD 372.9 billion, while direct outward investment from Mauritius stood at USD 353.2 billion based on figures to June 2025.
The discussions focused on how such financial structures can support businesses seeking to operate across African markets.
The forum also highlighted the partnership between Nairobi-based Underwriting Africa and Mauritius-based Swan Reinsurance PCC through its Archean Re Cell.
The partnership combines Mauritius-based reinsurance capacity with African market knowledge and specialist expertise in credit risk, bonds and guarantees.
Underwriting Africa reported that the model has supported risks across 23 African countries, with a total sum assured of USD 830 million, own retention of USD 558.7 million and 129 risks supported.
It has also facilitated more than USD 830 million in insured trade and infrastructure transactions through structured credit and guarantee facilities.
The technology sector was another key area of discussion.
Dr Fiona Asonga, CEO of the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK)/HANDOUT
Dr Fiona Asonga, CEO of the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK), said regulatory alignment between Kenya and Mauritius could help facilitate business growth across regional markets.
“The regulatory synergies that exists within the two countries can benefit investors both in Kenya and in Mauritius a corporation framework that aligns to curbing double taxation and strengthening compliance is one that required to be able to facilitate the growth of business across the different regional blocks – paying more attention to AFCTA,” Asonga said.
The EDB also highlighted Mauritius’ ICT-BPO sector, including software development, fintech, e-commerce, cloud services, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital health and blockchain.
It said Mauritius was developing mechanisms to attract technology and innovation investment, including a Start-up Act, an EDB Start-up Accelerator, support for artificial intelligence capability development and the planned AI City at Côte d’Or.
The forum was part of the EDB’s Multi-sector Promotional Mission to East Africa, which ran from September 21 to 25, 2026, covering Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya.
The mission focused on education, emerging technology and ICT, and financial services, with business forums, one-to-one meetings and networking opportunities.
Closing the engagement, Narrainen said the EDB was committed to strengthening ties between the two countries.
“The bond between Mauritius and Kenya is further driven grown regional integration and economic leadership, as fellow members of COMESA and signatory at AFCTA our nations have long shared the vision of an interconnected self-reliant Africa driven by trade and investment rather that aid,” he said.
He added that the EDB would focus on strengthening institutional ties, facilitating joint ventures and supporting capital movement between Nairobi and Port Louis.
