Building on the momentum of the recent India–Mauritius Summit held in Coimbatore earlier this year, the Indian Economic Trade Organisation (IETO) hosted the India–Africa Dialogue 2025 on 23 December 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The event convened business leaders, industry associations from Gujarat and across India, alongside sector specific representatives, to explore new avenues for trade, investment, and collaboration with Africa, with Mauritius positioned as the strategic gateway for Indian enterprises.
Mauritius continues to occupy a distinctive place in India–Africa relations, shaped by a deep-rooted history, cultural affinity, and sustained people-to-people engagement. Over the years, the country has emerged as one of Africa’s most stable and investor-friendly economies, offering a transparent regulatory environment, a mature financial services sector, strong global connectivity, and business-friendly policies that attract Indian companies seeking structured and long-term engagement with African markets.
The dialogue was graced by His Excellency Mr. Mookhesswur Choonee, Former High Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius to India, who emphasized the depth of bilateral relations and the opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
“The strength of India–Mauritius relations lies in mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to economic growth, creating a strong foundation for Indian businesses to explore Mauritius,” he stated.
Discussions focused on sectors where Mauritius presents significant opportunities for Indian investment, including financial and professional services, information technology and digital solutions, education and skill development, renewable energy, logistics and port-led services, light manufacturing, and hospitality and tourism. Mauritius’s policy stability and international trade agreements were highlighted as key advantages supporting investment in these areas.
MSME collaboration was recognized as the driving economic growth and employment as Mr. Sanjeev Mulloo, Secretary of the Mauritius Business Entrepreneurs Association, stressed the potential for joint ventures and technology partnerships that can support regional value chains.
“MSME collaboration between India and Mauritius has the potential to create scalable and sustainable economic outcomes across both markets,” he noted.
Healthcare stood out as a key sector, with Mr. Tejas Shah from Shalby Hospital noting the rising demand for quality healthcare services, hospital infrastructure, and medical training across African regions. He highlighted opportunities for Indian healthcare providers in hospital management, medical tourism, telemedicine, and capacity-building initiatives.
The dialogue featured UAE perspectives from Ms. Angela Maria Henao Cardona on trade corridors linking India, Africa, and the Middle East, while Mr. Sanjeev Rao, CEO of the Diplomatic Club, stressed diplomacy’s role in enabling cross-border trade and multi-regional partnerships.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President of IETO, elevated the dialogue by announcing an upcoming business delegation to Mauritius in March 2026 .
“To take India-Mauritius ties to the next level, we must move from dialogue to action—our March 2026 delegation to Mauritius aims to provide direct engagement with local stakeholders, explore sector-specific investment opportunities, and offer Indian businesses a comprehensive understanding of the Mauritius market.” he stated.
The India–Africa Dialogue 2025 successfully combined diplomacy, sectoral expertise, and enterprise leadership, offering businesses insights into trade opportunities, sectoral potential, and the strategic advantages of Mauritius as a hub for expanding business into Africa.
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