Why wealthy South Africans are betting big on this African island

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One African island is quietly becoming a hot spot for high-net-worth South Africans, and it’s not just about the beaches.

As reported by BusinessTech, the island nation of Mauritius, recently ranked Africa’s most peaceful country in 2025, has been drawing serious money into its real estate sector.

And South Africans are among the top investors.

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

According to preliminary data from the Bank of Mauritius, foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country’s real estate market surged 13% in 2024, hitting nearly 24 billion Mauritian rupees (R9.5 billion).

Most of this went into high-end property purchases, which included luxury villas, oceanfront apartments, and exclusive estates, worth 18.6 billion rupees (R7.4 billion), a whopping 33.8% jump from the R5.5 billion spent in 2023.

To put that in perspective: real estate made up almost 70% of all FDI into Mauritius last year.

And South Africans, alongside the French, led the charge.

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 offers more than scenic views. Its political stability, investor-friendly policies, and strategic location make it a strong hedge in uncertain times.

For South African investors increasingly wary of domestic volatility, be it economic, political, or infrastructural, Mauritius represents a safe, stable, and tax-efficient second option.

The island also provides residency options tied to real estate purchases, allowing foreign buyers to live and work there. This, of course, is a significant draw for those seeking a plan B without giving up lifestyle quality.

According to Lance Lawson, Business Development Consultant at Sovereign Group, Mauritius is finding its footing as a wealth hub because of its economic growth and strategic policies that favour foreign investment.

“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.