Budget 2025-2026: Ocean Economy

Mauritius, surrounded with a vast Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of 2.3 million square kilometres, holds enormous potential in the Ocean Economy, yet to be harnessed fully, representing a key contributor of the Mauritius economy for long-term economic growth.

For the Budget 2025-2026, the Government affirmed its commitment to better explore and exploit the potential of the Ocean Economy, demonstrating its leadership on the global stage, ensuring the protection and sustainable use of its marine resources for future generations. As part of its strategy to support the development of the sector, the Government has announced the organization of Les Assises de l’Océan, a multi-stakeholder consultative forum to co-develop a national Blueprint for the Ocean Economy building upon the roadmap for the Ocean Economy developed in 2013.

The budget measure encompasses a comprehensive strategy to support the development of key priority sectors of the Ocean Economy including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, ocean-based renewable energy, sustainable ocean tourism, marine transport and trade, research, capacity building, and innovation and blue finance.

By supporting the development of the sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector, Mauritius aims at improving value chains and increasing production levels. The strategy is expected to boost food security, job creation, and export growth. The ocean-based renewable energy emphasizes the acceleration of offshore energy investments to support the country’s clean energy transition. Sustainable ocean tourism focuses on the promotion of eco-friendly marine tourism, aims at diversifying Mauritius’ tourism offerings. Investment and development of the port infrastructure and maritime logistics aims to position Mauritius as a regional maritime hub.

By prioritising research, capacity building, and innovation, this strategy aims at strengthening the marine science, innovation ecosystems, and talent pipelines, through increased investment in research institutions, training programs, and public-private partnerships. Blue Finance supported by the mobilization of private capital, encourages investment in sustainable marine projects via mechanisms such as blended finance and sustainability-linked bonds.

Moreover, to underpin this strategic shift, the Mauritius Ports Authority will undertake a substantial investment of approximately Rs 5.4 billion (USD 115 million) to expand the cruise jetty, construct a small jetty for bunker barge, acquire tugs and expand the Mauritius Container Terminal. Likewise, the Cargo Handling Corporation will undergo major transformation with the objective that Mauritius reclaims its reputation as one of the most efficient ports in the Indian Ocean region for of the port. These initiatives collectively reinforce Government commitment to position Mauritius as a sustainable and globally competitive maritime nation. This strategy aims at stimulating investment and job creation across sectors and diversifying marine-based revenue streams within the Ocean economy.

Lastly, by empowering, fishers with various support measures such as navigational aids, mooring aids and solar lights at all the jetties throughout the island and the construction of 3 more fish sheds, the measure aims to improve safety, enhance working conditions, and support the livelihoods of the fishing communities, supporting the Government’s broader Ocean economy goals.