The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius, host agency of the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, successfully organised a women entrepreneurs’ export promotion mission to Madagascar from 18 to 21 August 2026. The mission focused on advancing women’s economic empowerment, enhancing market access opportunities and promote intra-African trade by connecting Mauritian women-led businesses with Malagasy institutions, business networks and potential commercial partners. The initiative provided a strategic platform for participating entrepreneurs to explore new market opportunities, establish business partnerships and gain valuable insights into Madagascar’s business environment.
A key highlight was the Business Forum held on 18 August at Le Louvre Hotel & Spa in Antananarivo, organised in collaboration with the Economic Development Board of Madagascar. The forum provided a platform for policymakers, trade institutions, development stakeholders and women entrepreneurs from both countries to explore trade, investment and business partnership opportunities.
Led by Mrs Nirmala Jeetah, Director, Healthcare & Life Sciences and SheTrades Mauritius Hub at the EDB Mauritius, the Mauritian delegation comprised seven women-led businesses in sectors including essential oils, cosmetics, agribusiness, digital services and ICT. The participating enterprises aimed to understand the Malagasy market, identify new partners and expand their regional footprint.
In her welcome address, Mrs Josielle Rafidy, Director General of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar, highlighted the role of women entrepreneurs in driving inclusive growth and regional integration. She underlined the potential to deepen partnerships in essential oils, cosmetics, natural products and agro-processing, while translating strong institutional ties into concrete commercial opportunities.
Mrs Fanja Razakaboana, President of the Groupement des Femmes Entrepreneurs de Madagascar (GFEM), reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening business relations between women entrepreneurs in Mauritius and Madagascar. She emphasised the complementarities between the two island economies and the importance of transforming initial contacts into lasting partnerships.
In his keynote address, His Excellency Mr Bruno Cunniah, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to Madagascar, highlighted the longstanding ties between Mauritius and Madagascar and the economic potential of combining Madagascar’s natural resources with Mauritius’ expertise through mutually beneficial and inclusive partnerships.
Representing the Ministry of Industrialisation and Private Sector Development, the Director of Support to the Private Sector also emphasised women’s entrepreneurship as a driver of economic diversification and highlighted the need to remove barriers to business development, simplify procedures, improve efficiency and encourage innovation. The Ministry of Trade and Consumption further noted that Mauritius was Madagascar’s second-largest export destination in 2025, underscoring the scope for deeper bilateral trade.
Participants were encouraged to leverage regional frameworks such as COMESA, SADC and the AfCFTA to strengthen value chains, develop complementary capabilities and position Mauritius and Madagascar as gateways to wider regional markets.
The forum also featured a presentation by Mrs Nirmala Jeetah on Mauritius’ economic profile and the support offered through the SheTrades Mauritius Hub, including capacity building, market access, networking, business matchmaking and strategic partnerships.
During the B2B networking sessions, the seven Mauritian women entrepreneurs presented their products and services to Malagasy counterparts and explored potential commercial partnerships, distribution arrangements, market-entry opportunities and joint initiatives.
Beyond the Business Forum, the mission included institutional meetings and working sessions with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Antananarivo, GFEM and the Economic Development Board of Madagascar. These engagements enabled institutional exchange, peer learning and discussion on future collaboration between business support organisations.
Company visits to Phael Flor Export, Renala Natural and Ingedata further enriched the mission, offering the delegation practical exposure to Madagascar’s business environment in natural and organic products, cosmetics, ICT and digital services.
Participants welcomed the opportunity to engage with Malagasy businesses and institutions, gain market insights and establish new relationships.
“The SheTrades Mauritius Hub mission to Madagascar was an intense and rewarding four-day experience. It began with a business forum, where we had the opportunity to introduce our company and participate in B2B meetings with key stakeholders and potential partners, and concluded with valuable field visits. Throughout the mission, we discovered numerous business opportunities and, most importantly, connected with the right people to support our development in the Malagasy market. We are truly grateful to SheTrades Mauritius for organising such a well-structured and impactful mission.” Kajal Reekoye Ramasamy, Managing Director, ProbiEau Solutions Ltd – Mauritius.
“Thank you, SheTrades Mauritius Hub again for another successful mission opening doors to fabulous opportunities to our neighbour Madagascar.” Ranjana Foogooa, CEO, Sphere Media Technologies Co Ltd.
The mission concluded on a positive and forward-looking note, reflecting the shared commitment of Mauritius and Madagascar to strengthening bilateral economic relations, empowering women entrepreneurs and advancing intra-African trade. Through continued institutional cooperation, private-sector engagement and initiatives such as SheTrades, both countries are well positioned to transform proximity, complementary capabilities and regional aspirations into sustainable business opportunities.
