High-net-worth individuals from South Africa are increasingly turning their sights towards the tranquil shores of Mauritius. In 2025, this island paradise was crowned as the most peaceful country in Africa, attracting a surge in real estate investments from abroad.
According to data released by the Bank of Mauritius, foreign direct investment in the Mauritian real estate sector saw a notable 13% increase, reaching nearly 24 billion rupees (R9.5 billion) in 2024. Luxurious properties like villas and apartments became hot commodities, with acquisitions totaling 18.6 billion rupees (R7.4 billion), marking a significant growth of 33.8% from the previous year.
What makes this trend even more compelling is that property investments accounted for a substantial portion—almost three-quarters (70%)—of total inflows into Mauritius last year. Notably, France and South Africa emerged as key sources of direct investment in Mauritius, contributing to 42% of the total investment influx.
In particular, South Africans pumped around 4.66 billion rupees (R1.8 billion) into Mauritian real estate in 2024, reflecting a robust increase of 22.6% compared to the preceding year. This aligns with projections outlined in the 2024 Africa Wealth Report, forecasting a remarkable surge of 65% in the continent’s millionaire population over the next decade.
Expert insights shed light on why Mauritius has become an attractive destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking lucrative investments beyond their borders. Lance Lawson, Business Development Consultant at Sovereign Group, noted that
“Mauritius is emerging as a wealth hub due to its economic growth and strategic policies that favor foreign investment.”
He emphasized factors such as political stability, economic prosperity, affordability, and proximity that make Mauritius highly appealing to South African investors looking towards sub-Saharan Africa.
Luxury real estate stands out as a favored avenue for investment among these affluent individuals due to its potential for income generation, capital appreciation, and flexibility for global families with diverse geographical interests.
Looking ahead, the Mauritian government is poised to leverage this wave of foreign interest by enhancing its property-investment initiatives and encouraging wealthy investors to establish family offices within its borders while exploring opportunities across various sectors of the local economy.
Dhaneshwar Damry, Junior Minister of Finance expressed this ambition when he stated:
“We want to tap into the ultra-wealthy segment… We are going to continue focusing on real estate as a priority sector but there will also be other priority sectors.”
Amid ongoing challenges back home such as economic uncertainties and high crime rates plaguing South Africa’s major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town—the allure of Mauritius shines brighter than ever before.
While safety concerns loom large for those considering life outside South Africa’s borders due to persistent violence issues within certain cities—a stark contrast emerges when comparing these scenarios with Mauritius’ reputation as one of the most peaceful countries globally.
The Global Peace Index by IEP reaffirms this distinction where Mauritius consistently secures its position as not only one of Africa’s most peaceful nations but also ranks impressively at 26th globally—surpassing developed countries like France or even United States—for maintaining peace for eighteen consecutive years.
As South Africans seek solace amidst uncertainty back home—it seems investing in peace has become more than just financial prudence; it is now an emotional sanctuary beckoning them towards new horizons on distant shores.
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