• Macron makes first French presidential visit to Mauritius in 32 years
  
• France, Mauritius sign deals on energy, water, education, and food security
  
• Business talks, embassy opening, and new ODA projects highlight deepening ties

French President Emmanuel Macron is on a state visit to Mauritius from November 20 to 21, the first visit by a French head of state to the island nation in 32 years, according to Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

After a private meeting and working session, the two leaders discussed areas of shared interest. “We explored practical ways to reinvigorate Mauritius–France relations. Our two countries signed agreements on the blue economy, energy transition, renewable energy, sustainable water management and the development of bilingual Francophone education,” Ramgoolam said.

Macron emphasized cooperation on water and energy supply. “In the coming days, EDF will assess vulnerabilities in the electricity grid and propose practical solutions. With significant support from the European Union, we will help strengthen water infrastructure through an AFD loan, combined with a European grant and several French technological contributions,” he said.

Macron also announced a key agreement on sugar and wheat, describing it as “essential for Mauritius’s food security.” French sugar producer Cristal Union and its commercial arm Cristalco have renewed their partnership with the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate for three more years. A memorandum of understanding guaranteeing the supply of French wheat to Les Moulins de la Concorde was also renewed.

According to a statement from the Mauritian government, the visit will also include meetings between French and Mauritian business leaders focused on artificial intelligence, as well as the inauguration of the new French Embassy building in Moka Telfair.

France maintains close ties with Mauritius and remains the country’s main bilateral provider of official development assistance (ODA). The French Development Agency (AFD) is the second-largest donor to Mauritius after the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the second-largest lender to state-owned enterprises after China. Bilateral cooperation spans a wide range of sectors, from climate change mitigation to marine turtle conservation.

Mauritius is currently seeking new financing to modernize its infrastructure, improve water governance and promote sustainable management of natural resources. In 2023, the country secured a 200 million euro loan and a 2 million euro grant from the AFD.

Lydie Mobio