Vision 2050 - Water: A Key Challenge for Mauritius

Title: Vision 2050 - Water: A Key Challenge for Mauritius

As the official launch of national consultations for Vision 2050 approaches, discussions took place on December 18 under the theme "Envisioning Mauritius in 2050." This meeting, attended by representatives from both the public and private sectors, addressed the main challenges the country will face in the coming decades. Among the topics discussed, the issue of water emerged as a central concern, crucial for both economic development and quality of life.

In this context, Hector Espitalier-Noël, former CEO of the ENL Group, emphasized that Vision 2050 should primarily focus on improving the well-being of the population. He cautioned, however, about the limitations imposed by natural resources, highlighting that access to water will largely determine the country’s ability to provide a satisfactory living environment in the long term. This concern is echoed in the government's budgetary directions. In the 2025-26 budget, the government expresses its commitment to structurally addressing the water issue. The Prime Minister announced the revival of the Rivière-des-Anguilles dam project. There are also plans to replace aging pipelines, modernize and rehabilitate wastewater treatment plants, as well as construct new reservoirs. In total, the government plans to invest approximately Rs 128 billion over the next five years in infrastructure development related to housing, transport, water, wastewater, solid waste, drainage, and electricity. For the water sector alone, the Ministry of Finance announced a budget allocation of Rs 3.1 billion, aiming to ensure continuous access to drinking water for every household. Statistics Mauritius data illustrate the magnitude of the challenge. In 2023, total drinking water consumption reached 111 million cubic meters, with an average per capita consumption of 250 liters per day.

Economist Ashok Aubeeluck argues that the water issue must be analyzed in light of the country’s structural constraints. He believes that improved collection and preservation capacity would allow Mauritius to better capitalize on its rainfall. However, the topography and distribution gaps limit the effectiveness of the current system. The economist adds that the country’s attractiveness for the private sector will depend on the incentives in place. Companies have the option to relocate abroad to enhance their profitability, and Mauritius's economic success will partly depend on its ability to create an environment conducive to investment, including in the water and energy sectors.

The water issue was raised by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam during his speech on December 18 at the launch of national consultations for Vision 2050. He indicated that he has two solutions to address it, without disclosing their content. This statement raised questions about why concrete measures have yet to be implemented.

According to Ashok Aubeeluck, this situation reflects a lack of political will. He recalls that technical proposals regarding reverse osmosis had already been presented as early as 2006, with support from countries with recognized expertise. Furthermore, the issue of financing remains a major obstacle. A few hours before French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Mauritius in November, the Economic Development Board gathered Mauritian and French companies to promote exchanges around investments and economic partnerships. On this occasion, Dhaneshwar Damry highlighted the persistent difficulties in mobilizing financing for water and energy-related projects, stressing the need to connect project holders with financial institutions.