Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is renowned for its white sandy beaches and internationally recognised as a leading International Financial Centre (IFC). Over the past years, it has gradually emerged as a competitive destination for offshore outsourcing. The IT-BPO sector is a key pillar of the Mauritian economy, with a GDP contribution of 6.9% for 2021 and employing around 32,000 people in some 900 companies.
With a thriving BPO ecosystem, an ideal geographical location in terms of time zones, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and a stable economic, political, and social environment, Mauritius ticks all boxes as an ideal offshore destination for outsourcing.
Ease of doing business: World Class International Financial Centre
Mauritius has the most enabling business environment in the sub-Saharan African region. It tops the rank in the region for being ‘fully democratic’ (EIU Democratic Index 2022) and ‘economically free’ (2023 Index of Economic Freedom Report by Heritage Foundation). Globally Mauritius has also been ranked 9th in the 2022 Economic Freedom of the World Report (Fraser Institute).
With its extensive network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs), Mauritius offers investors a favourable environment for doing business, ensuring predictability, certainty, and security.
Economic, Political, and Social Stability
With its economic, political, and social stability, Mauritius offers a solid foundation for offshore outsourcing. With one of the highest GDPs per capita in Africa, the diversified Mauritian economy attracts substantial foreign investment. The country also upholds good governance and a sound and transparent legal framework that strongly upholds the rule of law, fostering a secure political environment.
The 2023 Index of Economic Freedom report revealed that ‘its judicial effectiveness score is above the world average, and its government integrity score is above the world average.’ Furthermore, with its harmonious multicultural society, Mauritius not only promotes inclusivity and a cohesive workforce but also achieves recognition for its peaceful nature. In fact, Mauritius was once again ranked in 2023, as the most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa in the Global Peace Index Report 2023 by the Institute for Economics & Peace.
Data Security and Privacy
As demonstrated in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020Mauritius is a leader in Cybersecurity in Africa where it ranked 1st in Africa and 17th globally, with an impressive score of 96.89. The country's consistent efforts and capabilities in maintaining a safe cyber ecosystem, along with a strong focus on cybersecurity, have contributed to this achievement. In 2021, the introduction of the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act 2021 contributed to enhance the legal framework, promoting compliance, fostering international cooperation, and implementing comprehensive measures against cyber threats.
Mauritius regulates data protection under the Data Protection Act 2017 (DPA 2017 or Act) which replaces the Data Protection Act 2004 and aligns with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR). It also has secure data centres, prioritizing data security and confidentiality.
Talented Workforce: A Hub of Bilingual Expertise
Mauritius boasts a well-educated, highly skilled workforce, proficient in English and French. This bilingualism is a significant asset for businesses operating in diverse global markets. The country's robust education system produces professionals with prestigious international accounting qualifications such as ACCA and ACA. Additionally, Mauritius has invested in its technological infrastructure, resulting in a growing pool of IT experts with certifications in areas such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft, and MS Azure amongst others. These factors contribute to Mauritius' reputation for having a competent and competitive workforce in Finance, Accounting, and IT.
Competitive Operational Costs
Mauritius offers competitive pricing structures, making it an economically viable option for outsourcing operations. By leveraging competitive labour costs, businesses can significantly reduce their accounting expenses without compromising quality.
Technology Hub
Mauritius takes pride in its cutting-edge IT infrastructure and has established connectivity with the global network through three submarine fibre optic cables, namely: South Africa Far East (SAFE), Lower Indian Ocean Network (LION)/LION 2 and METISS. It ranked 1st in sub-Saharan Africa and 45th globally in the 2022 Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN agency, in collaboration with Cornell University and INSEAD, the European Institute of Business Administration.
According to the Kearney Global Services Location Index 2021, Mauritius secured the top spot for Digital Resonance in Sub-Saharan Africa and achieved a global ranking of 27th. This accomplishment serves as proof of the Government's commitment to establishing the country as a dependable technology hub with a business-friendly environment.
A Well-defined Legal and Regulatory Framework
Mauritius has a hybrid legal system, combining civil and common law practices which is governed by principles derived from the French Code Napoleon and the British common law. With a focus on high ethical standards and data privacy, Mauritius provides a stable and secure environment for outsourcing accounting services. In 2022, it also retained its 1st position out of 54 African countries in the 2022 Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance.
Favourable Time Zone: GMT+4
Mauritius is strategically located in a favourable time zone GMT+4, facilitating real-time collaboration and support for communication across continents, especially Africa, Europe and Asia.
Interested to start the Outsourcing Journey?
As companies embrace the benefits of offshore outsourcing, Mauritius proves to be a reliable partner, ready to optimize accounting operations on a global scale. Whether you are seeking a quality outsourcing partner for your next campaign or project, feel free to give us a shout at socialmedia@bdo.mu and we will happily assist.👉