Charting a resilient future for Mauritius

What does it take for a small island nation to thrive in a changing world?

Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside Mauritian partners—listening, learning, and exchanging ideas. Together, we explored and analyzed how Mauritius can continue its remarkable journey of progress and growth while navigating the challenges of climate change and fast changing global economic trends.

The result of these conversations is the Mauritius Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR). This report looks at how Mauritius can tackle climate challenges while continuing to grow and create jobs. It explains the main risks, points out new opportunities, and suggests practical steps to build a stronger, more resilient future. It’s meant to help everyone—government, private businesses, and citizens—work together toward solutions.

Mauritius is often celebrated as Africa’s development success story. In just one generation, it transformed from a sugar-based economy into a vibrant, diversified hub. But as we engaged with stakeholders and reviewed the data, one reality stood out: the current model faces new pressures. Rising debt, structural vulnerabilities, and extreme climate impacts are converging. The question is how Mauritius can adapt and thrive in this new context.

Exploring Pathways for Resilience

The Mauritius Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) offers a set of pathways—what we call the “Three Rs”—to spark dialogue that can guide Mauritius achieve its ambitions development vision:

• Reinforce the macro-fiscal and institutional foundations for resilient economic transformation.
• Reorientate key sectors—tourism, ocean economy, and energy—toward development-smart models.
• Reduce exposure and vulnerability to climate risks, from rising seas and stronger storm, to heatwaves and water scarcity.

These are not prescriptions, but options for consideration. Why? Because the stakes are too high. Without action, climate change could reduce overall GDP by up to 4% by 2050, with tourism revenues falling as much as 11%. Yet with the right investments and reforms, Mauritius could cut these losses in half, boost growth, and create new jobs.

Reinforce: Building a Stronger Foundation

Mauritius’ progress is impressive, but fiscal and structural challenges remain. Smarter tax and spending policies, pension reform, and targeted subsidies could create space for investments in resilience and innovation to secure longer-term private sector-led growth.

Beyond numbers, stronger institutions and open public-private dialogue will be key. Empowering climate agencies and closing the skills gap can help Mauritian workers benefit from green jobs and the energy transition. A green transition is expected to generate up to 70,000 jobs by 2030, with targeted investments in skills development, labor market information systems, and vocational training to ensure Mauritians can benefit from reoriented job opportunities beyond traditional sectors.

Reorientate: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Investing in Tourism, ocean economy, and energy are central to Mauritius’ future:

• Tourism: Moving toward eco-tourism, wellness, and cultural experiences could balance growth with environmental stewardship.
• Blue Economy: With marine planning and legal frameworks, Mauritius can protect its marine wealth and create over 25,000 new jobs.
• Renewable Energy: The ambition—60% renewable energy by 2035—will require investment, but promises lower costs, energy security, and green jobs. Digital innovation will also be key drivers of future job creation.

Reduce: Protecting What Matters Most

Climate change is already here. Increased recurrency and frequency of strong storms and typhoons, erratic seasonal rainfall, and rising seas are impacting lives. Water conservation and access is also a major issue for sustainability. Options include:

• Increased coastal protection and climate-proofing infrastructure.
• Upgrading access and conservation of water systems—only 3% of annual rainfall is currently used for irrigation.
• Adaptation measures that can halve economic losses. For example, agriculture is shifting from traditional crops to more resilient, diversified, and technology-driven production, which could stabilize or increase rural employment.

Financing the Transition

Mauritius may need about $5.6 billion in additional investment by 2050—that translates into roughly 2.2% of GDP annually until 2030. The domestic private sector, including banks and pension funds, can play a big role. With the right partnerships, closing the annual climate finance gap of US$213 million is possible. As an example, with the right reforms and partnerships, the local financial sector can play a bigger role in funding climate and clean energy solutions.

A Shared Journey

Mauritius has shown the world what’s possible before—and it can do so again. These ideas are meant to inform and inspire its partners and regional peers, and provide a pathway for joint action. The path ahead will be shaped by Mauritian leadership, dialogue, and collaboration. As a vibrant small island developing state, Mauritians owe it to our generations present and future, to preserve and build a legacy of climate resilient and environmentally sustainable Mauritius.

We invite policymakers, businesses, civil society, and citizens to join the conversation. Share your thoughts, challenge our findings, and help turn vision into reality.