Why rich South Africans are investing heavily in this African island

One African island is steadily attracting high-net-worth South Africans—and it’s not just for the beaches.

According to BusinessTech, Mauritius, recently ranked Africa’s most peaceful country in 2025, has been pulling major investment into its real estate market.

South Africans rank among the top investors driving this trend.

Mauritius draws South Africa’s High-Net-Worth-Individuals

Preliminary data from the Bank of Mauritius shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s real estate sector jumped by 13% in 2024, reaching nearly 24 billion Mauritian rupees (R9.5 billion).

Investors directed most of that money into high-end properties, luxury villas, oceanfront apartments, and exclusive estates, spending 18.6 billion rupees (R7.4 billion), a sharp 33.8% increase from the R5.5 billion invested in 2023.

Real estate accounted for nearly 70% of all FDI into Mauritius last year, with South Africans and the French leading the investment surge.

Combined, the two countries accounted for 42% of all foreign investment on the island. South African investment alone rose to 4.66 billion rupees (R1.8 billion) in 2024, up 22.6% year-on-year.

So what’s driving this trend?

Safety, stability, and strategic access

Mauritius delivers more than just stunning scenery. Its political stability, investor-friendly environment, and strategic location position it as a reliable hedge during uncertain times.

Many South African investors, increasingly uneasy about local economic, political, and infrastructure challenges, are turning to Mauritius as a safer, more stable, and tax-efficient alternative.

The island also offers residency to foreign buyers who invest in real estate, giving them the right to live and work there—a major attraction for those looking for a solid plan B without sacrificing lifestyle.

Lance Lawson, Business Development Consultant at Sovereign Group, says Mauritius is gaining traction as a wealth hub thanks to its steady economic growth and foreign investor–friendly policies.

“Its political and economic stability, coupled with its relative affordability and proximity, makes the country highly attractive to South African HNWIs looking to invest in sub-Saharan Africa.” Lawson said, as per BusinessTech.