Mauritius saw key developments this week. A proposed energy and tech trade deal with Algeria gained momentum. Moroil and Bioil launched a nationwide campaign to promote used cooking oil recycling. The trade deficit narrowed by 1.5% in February 2025, though both exports and imports declined. Tourism remains weak, with Q1 arrivals down 5.8% year-on-year.
Mauritius and Algeria move toward energy trade agreement
On April 17, 2025, during an official visit to Algiers, Mauritius' Minister of Lands and Housing, Shakeel Mohamed, proposed a bilateral trade agreement with Algeria centered on energy and technological cooperation. The initiative, presented to Algeria's Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, aims to support Mauritius in accelerating its energy transition. The focus is on leveraging Algeria's experience in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable hydrogen to develop cleaner, more sustainable energy production in Mauritius. The proposed agreement includes provisions for technology transfer, skills training, and capacity-building initiatives鈥攌ey elements in responding to global climate challenges. Algerian authorities welcomed the proposal, which has received support from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Mauritius trade deficit narrows slightly in February 2025
Mauritius recorded a trade deficit of Rs 14.07 billion in February 2025, marking a 1.5% decline compared to last year. The narrowing of the gap reflects a concurrent fall in both imports and exports, down 4.4% and 9.2%, respectively. Petroleum products, transportation equipment, and food supplies continue to dominate the country's import basket. On the export side, the United Kingdom remains Mauritius's leading destination, while China, Oman, and India remain its top import sources. Although the trade deficit has decreased, the simultaneous contraction in trade flows points to weakening domestic and external demand鈥攁n early signal of a possible economic slowdown.
Moroil and Bioil launch campaign to recycle used cooking oil
Moroil and Bioil have launched a joint awareness campaign to promote more sustainable waste practices in response to Mauritius' low recycling rate for used cooking oil. The initiative targets households and businesses, focusing on the environmental impact of improperly discarded oil and the benefits of recycling. Central to the campaign is the deployment of BioilBox containers in public spaces, allowing easy collection of used oil. The recovered oil will be processed into second-generation biofuel, contributing to reduced environmental harm. The campaign combines on-the-ground outreach with a digital media strategy, aiming to embed oil recycling into everyday civic behavior.
Tourism: Visitor arrivals in Mauritius fall 5.8% in Q1 2025
Mauritius recorded a 5.8% drop in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2025, marking the third consecutive month of decline. A total of 326,389 visitors were registered between January and March, down from 346,562 during the same period in 2024. Several core markets鈥攊ncluding the United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, and Switzerland鈥攈ave posted lower visitor numbers. Meanwhile, competing destinations such as the Maldives, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka are reporting strong growth in arrivals. The continued downturn has sparked concern among tourism stakeholders. Industry voices are calling for urgent intervention, pointing to a lack of coordinated promotion and deeper structural weaknesses in the national tourism offering. The decline raises broader economic concerns, given tourism's critical role in the Mauritian economy.
Agriterra prepares for 2025 harvest with focus on sustainability and innovation
As the 2025 harvest season approaches, Agriterra is adopting a forward-looking strategy to address ongoing climatic and economic pressures. Despite challenges such as drought and restricted irrigation, the Terra group is moving ahead with a plan to support productivity and sustainability. Key measures include the deployment of drones for real-time field monitoring, modernization of agricultural equipment, and diversification into resilient crops like potatoes and onions. These steps reflect a broader shift toward adapting the industry to emerging climate realities. General Manager S茅bastien Mamet emphasizes the role of innovation in safeguarding the long-term viability of Mauritius's sugar sector. He also underscores the importance of the off-season鈥攁 critical period used to maintain machinery and train field teams. Agriterra is further reinforcing its environmental commitments as it prepares to launch the harvest in late June. The season will extend into September with the collection of secondary crops.
