The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in collaboration with the Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB) and the Mauritius International Financial Centre (Mauritius IFC) co-hosted a knowledge exchange webinar, themed ‘Fostering Intra-African Investment Flows’ in March 2025.
The webinar saw the participation of distinguished guests, namely Dr. The Hon. Mrs. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning; Mr. Gunther Beger, Managing Director at UNIDO for the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation. Over 50 participants attended the webinar.
The purpose of the knowledge exchange webinar was to establish a platform to promote mutual collaboration and knowledge exchange by linking initiatives of the EDB, the Mauritius IFC and other Mauritius-based financial institutions with UNIDO’s investment promotion efforts to promote further intra-African investments.
The webinar was organized in the context of the ACP Business Friendly Programme, implemented at the meso-level by UNIDO and funded by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). This programme supports value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion and alliances.
As part of this Programme, the Economic Development Board Mauritius, the investment promotion agency for Mauritius, responsible for the promotion of investment and trade, has on-boarded UNIDO’s Digital Investment Promotion System (DIPS), which constitutes the back end of the Invest-in-ACP platform. DIPS allows for the systematic profiling of investment opportunities as well as investment monitoring, business registry management and investment relationship management.
In her keynote speech, Hon. Mrs. Jyoti Jeetun reiterated the Government’s objective to attract strategic investments and ensure long-term economic sustainability. To that end, she expressed confidence in the Invest in ACP portal as a one-stop shop solution which will provide better visibility, reach and access the potential investors.
Dr. Jeetun also expressed confidence that the platform represents an immense opportunity for FDI monitoring and facilitation for investment promotion as well as investment opportunity development.
She added that ‘this platform will provide confidence to investment information which will help generate trust to potential investors. At the Ministry level, in collaboration with the EDB, which is our platform for promotion, and with the industry stakeholders, we will be focusing a lot on visibility and branding of the financial services center.
Delivering a special address, Mr. Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, UNIDO highlighted that that financing gap of achieving SDGs by 2030 in Africa is estimated at about USD 1.3 trillion annually, which represents 40% of Africa’s GDP.
He underlined that Mauritius, as a reputable financial hub and a gateway to Africa is playing a key role in fostering intra-African investment. The implementation of the Rapid Response Window workstream for Mauritius under the ACP Business Friendly Programme, funded by the EU serves as a testament to the crucial role of Mauritius.
Moreover, he emphasised UNIDO’s mandate to promote, dynamise and accelerate industrial development and presented the Invest in ACP Platform as a one stop shop for investors in Africa. He stated that ‘this offers a formidable opportunity for Mauritius to scale up from its USD 80 billion in investment stocks already invested across the African continent and the 900 plus funds established in Mauritius’.
In his welcome address, the Deputy CEO of EDB, Mr. Sachin Mohabeer provided a full-fledged overview of intra-African FDI flows, highlighting that global FDI flows stood at USD 1.3 trillion in 2023, of which Africa accounted for only USD 52.6 billion, representing around 4% as compared investment flows within Europe which stands at 60% and 58% in Asia respectively. This huge disparity within Africa represents a significant opportunity for growth. To leverage on this gap, Mr. Mohabeer elaborated the pivotal role of Mauritius a trusted financial and investment hub for the continent and its active participant in Africa. He also added that Mauritius has a strong bilateral network of IPPAs and DTAAs, creating the enabling ecosystem, for investors to channel their investments seamlessly across Africa.
He stated that ‘for Mauritius it’s not just an opportunity, it is a responsibility. As a country, Mauritius receives 20% of FDI from Africa. We export significantly to the continent. We can help in driving investment through our strategic location, robust financial services sector, the network of DTAAs, position Mauritius as a gateway to the continent. We are committed to leveraging these advantages to support the AFCFTA’.
The Deputy CEO also called for all stakeholders to come together and collaborate towards fostering greater intra-African investment flows, unlock new opportunities, & build brighter future for the continent. The Deputy CEO also emphasized that EDB’s mission is to position Mauritius as an investment and business hub of choice for Africa by playing its role of not just facilitators but enablers of growth. Mr. Sachin Mohabeer reiterated Mauritius unwavering commitment to Africa’s growth story.
Mr. Arunsingh Ramduny, Project Manager, Delegation of European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles emphasised on the critical role played by investment promotion agencies in addressing challenges to intra-African trade by actively promoting and facilitating investment as well as contribute to enabling environments for business. He underlined that effective collaboration between IPAs in Africa attracting inward investment and facilitating outward investment can unlock opportunities to stimulate intra-African investment flows, catalysing sustainable development.
‘Mauritius, in close collaboration with the European Union and African partners, can be at the heart of Africa’s transformative journey by unlocking the potential of intra African investment and set into motion a powerful engine for economic growth, industrialization and job creation across the continent’.
Mr. Ramdhuny also added that challenges are being addressed through the EU funded programmes. Moreover, EU supports UNIDO’s initiative under the ACP Business-Friendly Programme to provide a matchmaking platform to promote mutual collaboration and knowledge exchange.
During the webinar, Mr. Vinay Guddye, Director at EDB provided a comprehensive overview on Mauritius as a trusted, robust and compliant jurisdiction with a premier ecosystem. Mr. Guddye highlighted that the Mauritius International Financial Centre (MIFC) has been in operation for the past three decades. Over the years, the MIFC has successfully structured investment to the tune of USD 187 bn to India & USD 82 bn to Africa, making Mauritius the most prominent IFC for both India and Africa.
Mr. Brian Portelli, Chief Technical Advisor, Sustainable Investments and Responsible Business Unit, UNIDO showcased UNIDO’s Invest in ACP Portal with 850+ investment opportunities in Africa as well as elaborated on UNIDO’s capacity building support to investment promotion institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of investment opportunity packaging and promotion undertaken in the ambit of the ACP Business Friendly Programme. Participants were encouraged to explore the various investment opportunities showcased on the Invest-in-ACP platform and to reach out to UNIDO for cooperation and collaboration opportunities aimed to facilitate networking, B2B and B2G contacts tenable to increased intra-African investment.
The webinar concluded on a promising note, underlining the commitment to fostering partnerships and collaboration between UNIDO and stakeholders for sustainable and inclusive growth.
