Kenya and Mauritius on Saturday, September 26 embarked on a commercial journey that will make it easier for capital, technology, expertise and businesses to move across African markets.

Senior representatives from financial services, banking, investment, corporate advisory, legal and technology sectors took the bold step during the Kenya-Mauritius Business Forum in Nairobi, where the rallying call remained to build bridges of capital, technology, and human intellect that connect Port Louis to Nairobi.

Under the theme “Connecting Finance, Investment and Technology for Africa”, the forum interrogated the practical considerations shaping cross-border investment, financial services, technology partnerships and business expansion between Kenya, Mauritius and the wider African market.

Also examined is how the two markets can create practical pathways for cross-border business.

Speaking during the forum, the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius Director Nanda Narrainen set the tone for the engagement by presenting Mauritius not only as a destination for investment, but as a platform through which international and African businesses can structure, finance and expand their activities across markets.

“For decades, our relationship has been rooted in mutual respect. But today, as Africa stands at the precipice of a historic economic transformation driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), respect alone is no longer enough. We are called to translate our historical friendship into tangible economic partnerships to build bridges of capital, technology, and human intellect that connect Port Louis to Nairobi.”

The discussion could not have come at a better time. African businesses and investors are increasingly looking beyond individual national markets towards structures that can support regional and international expansion.

And perhaps blowing its own trumpet, EDB says Mauritius is an international financial centre with capabilities spanning banking, cross-border investment, insurance, capital markets, wealth management, fintech and professional services.

According to data from EDB, financial services account for 12.4 per cent of Mauritius’ GDP, while the jurisdiction supports approximately USD 130 billion in assets under management and had 864 global funds and 194 Variable Capital Company funds as at the end of June 2026.

Narrainen’s presentation also positioned Mauritius as a cross-border investment ecosystem, with EDB data showing 13,341 Global Business Licence companies as at June 2026, while direct inward investment of Global Business Companies in Mauritius stood at USD 372.9 billion. Direct outward investment from Mauritius, the data shows, stands at USD 353.2 billion, based on figures to June 2025.

A discussion that boasted rich panelists was also conducted during the forum. Moderated by Narrainen, the discussion brought together Eric Wambua, Director, Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking, SBM Kenya; Stephen Lagat, Director, Treasury, SBM Kenya; Vikash Bunjun, Regional Lead, Corporate Advisory, BDO Africa Holdings Ltd; Bertrand Valadon, Managing Director, AIMIT Ltd; and Charlotte Elizabeth Patrick-Patel, Partner, ALN Kenya.

Underwriting Africa was given as a classic example of where the commercial relationship between Kenya and Mauritius should aspire to be. The Nairobi-based company has developed a strategic partnership with Mauritius-based Swan Reinsurance PCC through its Archean Re Cell. The partnership combines Mauritius-based reinsurance capacity with African market knowledge and specialist expertise in credit risk, bonds and guarantees.

The company reported that the model has supported risks across 23 African countries, with a total sum assured of USD 830 million, own retention of USD 558.7 million, and 129 risks supported. It has also facilitated more than USD 830 million in insured trade and infrastructure transactions through structured credit and guarantee facilities.

On her part, Dr. Fiona Asonga, CEO of the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK), placed the discussion within Kenya’s technology ecosystem, urging stakeholders to take advantage of the synergy between the two countries.

“The regulatory synergies that exists within the two countries can benefit investors both in Kenya and in Mauritius a corporation framework that aligns to curbing double taxation and strengthening compliance is one that required to be able to facilitate the growth of business across the different regional blocks – paying more attention to AFCTA”

The forum consequently brought together two propositions that are increasingly difficult to separate in modern African commerce: capital that can move and technology that can scale.

The opportunity extends beyond the forum itself. The EDB’s East Africa mission is designed to facilitate direct business engagement, networking and one-to-one discussions between Mauritian enterprises and potential partners in the region, with the wider program focused on investment, export of services and stronger economic linkages between Mauritius and East Africa.

For Kenya, whose private sector increasingly operates across regional and international markets, the engagement opens conversations around investment structures, financial services, technology partnerships, wealth management, risk mitigation and market expansion. For Mauritius, Kenya provides an important gateway into one of East Africa’s most commercially active economies and a market with deep regional business connections.

As Mr. Narrainen closed the engagement, the message from Mauritius was clear: the next phase of Kenya–Mauritius relations is about turning connectivity into business.

“The bond between Mauritius and Kenya is further driven grown regional integration and economic leadership, as fellow members of COMESA and signatory at AFCTA our nations have long shared the vision of an interconnected self-reliant Africa driven by trade and investment rather that aid …..By connecting Kenya zon entrepreneurial energy, market skill and digital talent with Mauritius financial sophistication, treaty networks and capital marshal tools we build a resilient high growth economic corridor, hence Economic development board of mauritius (EDB) is fully committed to strengthening institutional ties , facilitating joint ventures and ensuring seamless capital movement between Nairobi and Port Louis”