AGP Executive Report

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius has extended its nightly curfew through Sunday, from 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., as authorities report a gradual return to calm. The government also plans to amend the Police Act to allow curfews nationwide. Protests followed water shortages and the shooting of a 27-year-old woman by police; schools are scheduled to reopen Monday. Chagos Deal: The sovereignty agreement with Britain remains stalled after legislation failed to pass in the UK and US backing weakened, raising fresh questions about Mauritius’s next steps. African Finance: Policymakers are calling for fairer credit ratings and lower borrowing costs after the African Credit Rating Agency launched in Port Louis this month. Business and Energy: Mauritius’s C-Care has bought Kampala’s Roswell Hospital, expanding its Uganda network, while NTPC has invited bids for a 15-megawatt floating solar project with battery storage at Tamarind Falls.

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius has extended its nightly curfew for three more nights, from Friday to Sunday, with shorter hours of 10 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is due to address the country as authorities remain alert after protests linked to water shortages, rising living costs and the police shooting of a 27-year-old woman. Chagos Deal: The stalled agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius faces fresh uncertainty after UK legislation failed to pass and the US withdrew earlier support. Clean Energy: NTPC has invited bids for a 15 MW floating solar project with battery storage at Tamarind Falls Reservoir, with submissions due by December 7. African Finance: Port Louis hosted the launch of the African Credit Rating Agency, aimed at bringing a continent-focused perspective to credit assessments. Shipping: Middle East conflict is driving shipowners to seek alternative refuelling ports, with Port Louis among locations seeing increased demand.

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius has extended night-time curfews across 10 regions until Friday morning, after protests over water shortages and rising living costs turned violent. The unrest intensified after a police officer shot and wounded a 27-year-old woman; more than 100 people have been arrested, and schools are closed this week. Tourism: Security concerns and water shortages are disrupting travel, with some visitors reportedly advised to stay in their hotels and excursions cancelled. Chagos Dispute: Mauritius is threatening legal action against Britain over the stalled islands deal, with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam insisting sovereignty is non-negotiable. Regional Finance: The African Union’s new credit-rating agency, AfCRA, has launched in Mauritius, aiming to bring more African borrowers into the ratings system and improve access to investment.

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius extended night-time curfews for two more nights after protests over water shortages and living costs turned violent following a police shooting that wounded a 27-year-old woman. More than 100 people have been arrested; schools remain closed this week except for international exams. Investment Rules: India’s amended tax treaty with Mauritius introduces a Principal Purpose Test, allowing authorities to deny benefits when securing tax relief was a main aim of an arrangement. The change puts Mauritius-based investment structures under closer scrutiny. Aviation: Speaking at an industry gathering in Mauritius, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa’s CEO urged governments and carriers to turn plans into action and make air travel more affordable and reliable across Africa.

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius extended overnight curfews for a second night as protests over water shortages and the cost of living escalated after a woman was shot by police. Nearly 100 people have been arrested, schools are closed for most of the week, and authorities say the situation is under control. Chagos Dispute: Nigel Farage’s proposal to guarantee the US use of Diego Garcia in perpetuity, in return for Donald Trump’s silence on the Falklands, drew a sharp rebuke from Kemi Badenoch and renewed attention to Mauritius’s sovereignty claim. Dodo Return: US biotech firm Colossal says it has filled 95% of the dodo genome and is identifying gene edits that could bring dodo traits to the Nicobar pigeon, but has set no timeline for a bird’s return to Mauritius. India–Mauritius Treaty: India’s newly effective Principal Purpose Test could let authorities deny treaty benefits where tax relief was a main aim of an investment; experts are seeking clarity on protections for older investments.

Unrest: Mauritius lifted its overnight curfew at 6 a.m. Wednesday after protests, looting and attacks on police property followed the shooting of a 27-year-old woman. Police reported arrests and said the situation was under control, but schools remained closed as Cabinet prepared to review the response. Protests had also been driven by water shortages and rising living costs. Travel: The UK Foreign Office warns of possible further demonstrations, road closures and disruption to transport and public services. Chagos: Mauritius has threatened legal action against Britain over the stalled deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, calling sovereignty non-negotiable. Finance: Mauritius ranked second behind South Africa in the 2026 Africa Financial Markets Index. The African Union-backed Africa Credit Rating Agency was also launched in Port Louis last week, aiming to bring more African perspectives into credit assessments.

Unrest and Curfew: Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew in Port Louis and other areas after protests over water shortages and living costs intensified following the police shooting of Élodie Thomas, 27. Schools closed in affected areas as protesters blocked roads and torched vehicles; a police sergeant has been provisionally charged. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam condemned the violence and said Cabinet would review next steps. Travel Warning: The UK advised visitors to avoid demonstrations and expect possible transport and public-service disruption. Energy Ties: Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Mauritius to expand cooperation in conventional and renewable energy, electricity, clean hydrogen and petrochemicals. Chagos Dispute: Mauritius has threatened legal action against Britain over the stalled deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. African Finance: The African Union-backed Africa Credit Rating Agency was launched in Port Louis to bring more regional context to credit assessments.

Unrest and Safety: Mauritius is facing its worst riots since 1999, after protests over water shortages and living costs escalated following the October 9 police shooting of a 27-year-old woman. Schools closed Tuesday and the UK advised visitors to avoid demonstrations and expect possible travel disruption. Energy Partnership: Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Mauritius to expand cooperation in energy, including renewables, electricity and clean hydrogen. Financial Crime Case: A court in Port Louis denied Malagasy tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga bail, citing flight and evidence-tampering risks as a money-laundering investigation continues. African Finance: The African Union-backed Africa Credit Rating Agency was launched in Port Louis, aiming to bring more regional data and context into credit assessments. Chagos Dispute: Mauritius has threatened legal action against Britain over the stalled Chagos Islands deal, saying its sovereignty claim is non-negotiable.

Court Case: Malagasy tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga was denied bail again in Mauritius on Oct. 12. The court cited flight and evidence-interference risks over money-laundering allegations involving about Rs7 billion; his lawyers plan to appeal. Energy Ties: Mauritius signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to expand cooperation in oil and gas, renewables, electricity, clean hydrogen and energy security. Chagos Dispute: Port Louis is threatening legal action against the UK over delays to the Chagos deal, with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam insisting Mauritian sovereignty is non-negotiable. African Finance: The African Union launched its new credit-rating agency in Mauritius, aiming to bring African perspectives into assessments and help address high borrowing costs; its independence will be key to building credibility. Economic Outlook: Moody’s turned more positive on sub-Saharan Africa but kept Mauritius among four countries with a negative outlook, while a recent World Bank-based editorial warned growth could slow without structural reforms.

African Finance: The African Union launched its new credit rating agency in Port Louis, giving African economies an additional voice in how their risks are assessed. Its credibility will depend on rigorous, transparent ratings and independence from political pressure. Chagos Dispute: Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned the UK that Mauritius may pursue legal action over delays to the sovereignty deal, insisting the islands’ sovereignty is “not negotiable.” Economic Outlook: A World Bank report warns Mauritius’s growth could slow from 3.2% in 2025 to 1.2% by 2050 without structural reforms; Moody’s also lists Mauritius among four African countries with a negative outlook. Regional Aviation: Southern African airlines have elected new leaders at their association’s annual meeting in Mauritius, where industry representatives called for action on high costs, weak connectivity and slow reforms.

Chagos Dispute: Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned Britain that Mauritius may take legal action over delays to the sovereignty deal, insisting the country’s claim to the islands is “not negotiable”. The agreement remains stalled amid US concerns over the Diego Garcia military base. African Finance: The African Union has launched the Africa Credit Rating Agency in Port Louis. It aims to bring an Africa-focused perspective to credit assessments, but its success will depend on earning trust through independent, transparent ratings. Aviation: At an industry gathering in Mauritius, Airlines Association of Southern Africa chief Aaron Munetsi urged governments to turn plans into action, warning that high costs and slow reforms are holding back African aviation. TAAG Angola’s CEO was elected AASA chair for 2026/27. Marine Conservation: Western Indian Ocean countries have agreed on regional measures to tackle plastic pollution and strengthen protection of seagrass, mangroves and other critical habitats.

Chagos Dispute: Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned Britain that Mauritius may take legal action over delays to the Chagos deal, insisting the country’s claim to sovereignty is non-negotiable. Financial Crime Case: Malagasy tycoon Mamy Ravatomanga’s wife has called his nearly year-long detention in Mauritius politically motivated; a magistrate is due to rule on his bail request on October 12. African Finance: The African Union has launched its new credit rating agency in Port Louis, aiming to bring African economic conditions more fully into credit assessments. Regional Aviation: At an industry meeting in Mauritius, TAAG Angola Airlines CEO Miguel Carneiro was elected chair of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa for 2026/27. Marine Conservation: Western Indian Ocean countries have agreed on regional measures to tackle plastic pollution and strengthen protection for mangroves, seagrass and other marine habitats.

Chagos Dispute: Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has warned Britain that Mauritius may take legal action over delays to the Chagos agreement, insisting the islands’ sovereignty is “not negotiable.” The deal has stalled amid US concerns over the strategic Diego Garcia military base. African Finance: The African Union has launched its Africa Credit Rating Agency in Port Louis. The agency aims to bring African conditions and data into credit assessments and help address borrowing costs; its credibility will be key. Indian Ocean Security: India and the US are exploring joint projects in the region, including ports, telecommunications and maritime security, with Mauritius among the countries mentioned. Marine Environment: Research across the southwest Indian Ocean, including Mauritian waters, warns that climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat, strengthening calls for flexible ocean protection.

Innovation: Mauritius ranked Africa’s most innovative country in the 2026 Global Innovation Index, ahead of Morocco and South Africa, with strengths in business, finance and technology. African Finance: The African Union launched its new credit-rating agency in Port Louis on October 7, aiming to bring more local context to assessments and reduce borrowing costs; its independence and investor credibility will be key tests. Economic Outlook: Moody’s turned positive on sub-Saharan Africa but kept Mauritius among four countries with a negative outlook, underlining the uneven picture across the region. Space Sector: Mauritius unveiled a Space Strategy 2036 to develop its national space industry. Tourism Links: Airlink has begun twice-weekly direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius, giving travellers a new alternative to connecting through Johannesburg. Climate Action: Mauritius has called for greater unity among small-island states as the gap between climate commitments and action widens.

Africa’s Credit Rating Agency: The African Union launched AfCRA in Mauritius, giving the continent a new institution to assess sovereigns, businesses and financial bodies. Its private-sector structure and independence will be key to winning investor trust. Tourism Links: Airlink has started twice-weekly direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius, offering travellers a new route without a Johannesburg connection. Space and Climate: Mauritius has unveiled a Space Strategy 2036, while urging small island states to unite as climate action and financing lag. Football: Mauritius’s Under-23 side exited the AFCON qualifiers after a 4–1 defeat to Zimbabwe, whose 17-year-old forward Elisha Pfupa scored a hat-trick.

AfCRA Launch: The African Union has launched its new credit-rating agency in Mauritius, with Port Louis as its headquarters. The independent, privately funded agency aims to bring African data and expertise into risk assessments and challenge borrowing costs it says fail to reflect local realities. Its credibility will depend on transparent methods and independence. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has turned positive on sub-Saharan Africa, citing reforms and stronger commodity prices, but lists Mauritius among four countries with a negative outlook. Mauritius remains one of only two investment-grade sovereigns in the region. Space Strategy: Mauritius has unveiled its Space Strategy 2036, setting a framework to develop space science and technology for research, innovation and national priorities. Air Links: Airlink has started twice-weekly direct flights between Cape Town and Mauritius, offering travellers a new connection without a stop in Johannesburg.