Despite the high expectations surrounding the UAE-Mauritius CEPA, real-world trade growth remains sluggish, necessitating targeted actions to overcome logistical and awareness-related challenges.
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The military’s reclaiming of key infrastructure—such as airports and bridges across the Nile connecting Greater Khartoum—offers a glimmer of hope for economic stabilisation. Yet, significant efforts remain to restore commerce fully, rebuild confidence among investors, and ensure sustained peace for meaningful economic recovery.
Mauritius, known more for sugar and sandy beaches than for…
Mauritius is undergoing a quiet revolution in how vegetables reach supermarket shelves and hotel kitchens. With rising health awareness and government-backed incentives, the island’s retail distribution of pesticide-free vegetables is emerging as a viable and financially sound model. From direct sourcing by hotels and contract farming to advanced hydroponic systems and community-led organic farms, the supply chain is rapidly adapting. This article explores the financial dynamics, market trends, and regulatory frameworks shaping this transformation—providing technical insights for hospitality buyers, supermarket chains, and policymakers aiming to align profitability with sustainable agriculture and food security.
Africa’s mining sector is at a crossroads as governments intensify efforts to reclaim greater control over their mineral wealth. The escalating dispute between Mali’s junta and Barrick Gold highlights the rising tide of resource nationalism across the continent, challenging foreign investors with new regulations, tax demands, and operational risks. This article explores how global mining firms are adapting to these shifts, navigating regulatory landscapes, and balancing economic opportunity with heightened political uncertainty. As Africa’s mineral reserves remain critical to global markets, the stakes have never been higher.
As the global financial landscape shifts, Mauritius faces a strategic decision: should it integrate Bitcoin into its national reserves? With a chronic foreign currency shortage and a strong fintech sector, Bitcoin presents an opportunity for diversification, financial sovereignty, and investment attraction. However, volatility, regulatory scrutiny, and liquidity risks pose serious challenges. This article explores the feasibility, risks, and strategies for Mauritius to navigate Bitcoin adoption, weighing its potential as a transformational asset or a speculative gamble in the evolving digital economy.
The Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a crucial turning point in the Horn of Africa’s geopolitical landscape. By securing direct maritime access via Somaliland’s coastline, Ethiopia seeks to reduce its dependency on Djibouti, enhance trade competitiveness, and establish a strategic foothold in the Red Sea. However, Somalia’s opposition, backed by external actors such as Turkey, threatens to complicate the deal. As regional and global powers vie for influence, Ethiopia’s decision will shape its economic future and determine its status as a dominant force in East Africa.
Mauritius is currently grappling with a shortage of foreign currencies in its banking system, impacting businesses, importers, and investors who rely on USD, EUR, and other major international currencies. This crisis stems from several interwoven factors, including a persistent trade imbalance, declining foreign exchange inflows from key sectors like tourism and exports, and increasing capital outflows. The depreciation of the Mauritian rupee, coupled with tighter financial regulations and reduced foreign direct investment (FDI), has further exacerbated the situation.
The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to tourism, once a primary source of foreign currency, while global economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions have discouraged investment inflows. Additionally, speculative behaviors, such as hoarding foreign currencies and reliance on black-market forex transactions, have further strained liquidity in the banking system.
Addressing this challenge requires strategic policy interventions to enhance export competitiveness, attract FDI, and implement effective foreign exchange regulations. Without such measures, Mauritius risks prolonged economic instability and reduced investor confidence in its financial sector.
Over the past 100 days, the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) has demonstrated relative stability against the US Dollar (USD), fluctuating within a narrow range of 0.021 to 0.022 USD per MUR. Compared to the same period last year, volatility has decreased, reflecting improved monetary policy management by the Bank of Mauritius and moderating inflation. However, persistent macroeconomic challenges, including a trade deficit, dependence on USD-denominated imports, and global financial uncertainties, continue to influence currency movements. This analysis explores the technical trends, economic factors, and long-term implications of the exchange rate dynamics, emphasizing Mauritius’s need to balance inflation control, investment appeal, and financial sector competitiveness while maintaining exchange rate stability.
