Ebene, Mauritius: The South African Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius (SACC) has launched its first business networking event for 2026 on Thursday, February 5, in collaboration with MaxCity Group, at 1 Exchange Square, MaxCity’s flagship office development, Ebène.
Held under the theme “Real Estate: The New Playbook – Rules, Risks and Returns in a Changing Market,” the high-level breakfast brought together business leaders, investors, and senior representatives from the public and private sectors to explore how regulatory reforms, fiscal measures, and evolving financing conditions are reshaping real estate investment and development in Mauritius in the presence of the High Commissioner of South Africa to Mauritius, Her Excellency Dr Nelly Manzini
Strengthening South Africa–Mauritius Business Ties
Opening the session, Board Member of the SACC and Business Development Manager for Osiris, Michael Bell, underscored the Chamber’s mission to deepen commercial relations between South Africa and Mauritius.
He described the Chamber as “committed to strengthening commercial relations between Mauritius and South Africa.”
Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MaxCity Group, Danny Fon Sing, in the host address, underlined that Citing 1 Exchange Square is one of the group’s flagship development projects, where he emphasized initiatives such as tenant wellbeing, including integrated fitness and lifestyle facilities.
He also outlined MaxCity’s two core pillars, project development and the MaxCity Property Fund, spanning office, retail, and logistics assets strategically located along Mauritius’ principal economic corridors, particularly the M1 and M2 motorways, which form the backbone of national mobility and commercial activity.
High-Level Panel discusses Reform, Risk and Returns
The discussion was moderated by Zane Bezuidenhout, Board Member of the SACC and Director at Misava Capital, who saw the presence of panellists such as Chief Executive Officer, MaxCity Property Fund, Lewis Ah Ching, Senior Manager, Economic Development Board Mauritius, Munhurrun Amal, Senior Partner, Dentons Mauritius, Priscilla Balgobin-Bhoyrul, Head of Coverage, Wealth, Absa Bank Mauritius, Segun Omoniwa, Executive Director, Park Lane Properties Mauritius, Brian Blatch, and the CEO at Carpus Group, Deven Marianen.
The Senior Manager at the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mauritius, Munhurrun Amal, outlined how recent regulatory and financing reforms are reshaping the structure of the real estate market.
He explained that changes to loan financing rules and lending frameworks were introduced to strengthen market stability and reduce speculative activity.
“Recent reforms in loan financing were necessary to safeguard the sector and ensure more responsible investment behaviour,” he said.
Despite tighter conditions, Amal noted that market activity has remained resilient.
“In 2025, Mauritius recorded a 5 percent increase in property transactions, with more than 842 sales completed,” he added. “This indicates that the market has adjusted and continues to attract serious investors.”
According to Amal, European and South African investors remain the dominant contributors to foreign real estate investment.
“Close to 80 percent of foreign investment in real estate continues to come from Europe and South Africa,” he further elaborated. “Many of these investors are relocating their businesses here and adapting to the local environment.”
He emphasised that the jurisdiction remains an attractive and secure destination for international investors.
“Mauritius continues to be perceived as a safe, stable, and well-regulated jurisdiction,” he said. “This is a key factor in sustaining investor confidence.”
“The government firmly believes in real estate as a strategic pillar of economic development. It is a sector we intend to sustain and support.”
Fiscal Reform and Market Adaptation
Chief Executive Officer of Carpus Group Deven Marianen underscored that taxation is a key driver of project structuring and pricing.
“Tax policy now directly influences how we sell, lease, and finance real estate. It shapes the entire commercial model”, he explained.
He added that Mauritius continues to benefit from key fiscal advantages.
“There is still no tax on dividend distributions as well as no capital gains tax, and that remains an important differentiator in the region,” he noted.
The Head of Coverage, Wealth at Absa Bank Mauritius, Segun Omoniwa, has stressed how financial institutions are adapting to an evolving regulatory and economic environment.
He emphasised that volatility and reform are now structural features of the market.
“The only constant in this sector is change,” he stated. “Developers, banks, and investors must continuously adjust their models to reflect new realities.”
Regulation, Compliance, and Investor Confidence
The Senior Partner at Dentons Mauritius, Priscilla Balgobin-Bhoyrul, observed that enhanced compliance, governance, and AML/CFT requirements have strengthened Mauritius’ legal and institutional credibility, albeit with short-term adjustment pressures.
She acknowledged that recent policy shifts had initially created uncertainty among investors.
“There has undoubtedly been a period of unease, with investors asking what comes next,” she said. “That makes communication absolutely critical. Clear, consistent engagement from regulators and institutions is essential to maintain confidence and allow the market to adapt constructively.”
She added that while transaction timelines have lengthened, the long-term impact has been positive.
“We are seeing fewer speculative buyers and more serious, well-prepared investors. This is a sign of market maturity,” she underscored.
Executive Director of Park Lane Properties Mauritius, Brian Blatch, shared insights into the residential market dynamics and international investor sentiment. He acknowledged that recent budget announcements initially unsettled buyers.
“There was a period of hesitation and anticipation, as investors waited to see how policies would translate into practice,” he explained. Adding that subsequent regulatory clarity helped restore confidence.
The Chief Executive Officer of MaxCity Property Fund, Lewis Ah Ching, outlined how developers are adapting to tighter regulation, more rigorous financing standards, and rising market expectations.
He noted that Mauritius’ real estate sector has become significantly more sophisticated over the past five years.
In Ah Ching’s view, “financing is more complex, compliance requirements are higher, and banks apply much stronger risk frameworks. Concurrently, investors, tenants, and end-users now expect international-grade standards. Differentiation and quality are no longer optional.”
