Budget 2025-2026: SheLeads – Empowering women entrepreneurs

The 2025–2026 National Budget marks a significant turning point for gender-inclusive growth in Mauritius. At its core lies a powerful message: when women thrive, our entire society prospers.

This year’s budget introduces a set of progressive measures designed to break down structural barriers, create more inclusive workplaces, and strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women.

The Government’s commitment is clear, to empower women, expand their economic opportunities, and integrate them more fully into the national growth agenda.

Key Budget Measures Supporting Women’s Empowerment:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: The Workers’ Rights (Working from Home) Regulations 2020 will be replaced by Workers’ Rights (Flexible Work Arrangement) Regulations, promoting accessible, family-friendly employment, especially vital for women balancing work and caregiving. Flexibility is among the top three reasons why women choose to stay in or leave jobs globally (ILO, 2023). Introducing this measure is likely to enhance the retention of women in the workforce
  
  
• Enhanced Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs: Under the Women Entrepreneur Loan Scheme (DBM), the grace period for repayments will be extended from 12 to 18 months, and the loan ceiling raised from Rs 500,000 to Rs 1.2 million, enabling more ambitious and sustainable women-led enterprises.
  
  
• Non-Financial Business Support: Women entrepreneurs will now benefit from mentorship programs, marketing assistance, and networking platforms to help grow their businesses and access new markets.
  
  
• Inclusive Employment Models: The budget promotes flexible and hybrid work models that respond to the realities of women’s lives, encouraging broader and more sustained participation in the labour market. The current female labour force participation rate in Mauritius stands at 44%, significantly lower than the male rate of 66%. Flexible work models can enhance productivity, and increased participation of women in the workforce will undoubtedly contribute to GDP growth
  
  
• Encouraging Participation in New Sectors: Women are being encouraged to engage in the gig economy and digital platforms, sectors that provide both innovation and autonomy, fostering greater economic inclusion.
  
  
• Equity Fund for Women and Youth: A new Equity Fund will be created to facilitate access to capital and drive entrepreneurship among women and young people, a strong step toward inclusive financial growth. Equity-based funding is crucial, as over 45% of women lack the collateral required to access traditional loans.

Expected Benefits

These measures have the potential to:

• Increase women’s participation in the workforce and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Enhance financial resilience and economic independence among women.
• Promote inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready business models.
• Strengthen women’s role in emerging sectors such as digital trade, innovation, and services.
• Narrow gender disparities in access to finance, skills development, and market opportunities.

SheTrades Mauritius Hub: Partnering for Women’s Economic Growth

At the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, hosted by the Economic Development Board, we welcome these bold and necessary reforms. They align closely with our mission to empower women entrepreneurs through access to training, international market linkages, and capacity-building.

We remain committed to bridging the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that women entrepreneurs in Mauritius and Rodrigues not only benefit from these measures but are also equipped to go beyond borders and compete globally.

With a membership of 250 women entrepreneurs operating in the goods and services sectors, the Hub is poised to emerge as a regional centre of excellence. It not only provides a vibrant network for business collaboration and knowledge sharing but also offers critical support in areas such as capacity building, market intelligence, export readiness and market access.

By leveraging partnerships with public and private stakeholders, the Hub fosters an enabling ecosystem that empowers women to scale their businesses, innovate, and compete in both regional and international markets. Ongoing initiatives focused on digital literacy, leadership development, logistics and policy advocacy ensure that members are equipped to navigate evolving market dynamics and regulatory frameworks, ultimately contributing to inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.

#She Goes Global

For more information, please access the SheTrades Mauritius Hub website https://shetrades.edbmauritius.org/