EU and ESA States reinforce strategic partnership with new Comprehensive Economic Agreement

A modern and comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), aimed at reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the European Union and the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Region, was formally signed today at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel in Balaclava. The Agreement brings together Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles as the ESA Member States party to this landmark accord.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr. Dhananjay Ramful, alongside the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Dr Jyoti Jeetun; the Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Aadil Ameer Meea, and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius and to the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Oskar Benedikt.

The Malagasy Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs, Mrs Haingotiana Michela Angèle Andriamadison; the Minister for Transport, Ports, and Civil Aviation of the Republic of Seychelles, Mrs Veronique Laporte; the Comorian Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry and Investment with responsibility for Economic Integration, Mr Moustoifa Hassani Mohamed, were also among the key attendees.

The new EPA supersedes the existing EU-ESA Economic Partnership Agreement, establishing a more inclusive, resilient, and mutually beneficial framework better equipped to address evolving global challenges. The Agreement encompasses a broad range of key areas, including Trade in Services, Investment Liberalisation and Digital Trade, Transparency in Public Procurement, Intellectual Property, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Customs and Trade Facilitation, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Agriculture, and Trade and Sustainable Development.

In his address, Minister Ramful highlighted that the conclusion of negotiations marks a significant achievement towards the shared commitment to promote sustainable development and economic growth. For Mauritius, he observed, the new framework opens up novel avenues for businesses and further consolidates the strategic partnership with the EU.

According to him, the Agreement offers a modern and forward- looking framework to deepen trade relations, enhance foreign direct investment and support sustainable development. The EU, he noted, remains an important trading partner for ESA States, with trade reaching €9.5 billion in 2025. The Agreement is expected to unlock opportunities in financial services, ICT, tourism and professional services.

Minister Ramful emphasised that the success of the Agreement will depend on its effective implementation adding that a dedicated EU–ESA Business Forum to facilitate engagement between private sectors will be held. The Agreement, he observed, opens access to a market of over 450 million consumers in the EU, while creating opportunities to further diversify exports, promote value addition, and strengthen participation in global value chains.

Ambassador Benedikt reaffirmed the European Union's unwavering commitment to supporting partner countries, underscoring that Africa stands as one of the defining players in shaping global opportunities for investment across trade and industrial development, infrastructure, skills, and regional cooperation. He further noted that the Agreement remains open to accession by other States, while highlighting that it represents a significant achievement as the first EPA of its kind concluded with Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Ministers of Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros collectively described the Agreement as a vital instrument for advancing their countries' integration into the global trading system. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to fostering a development-oriented trading partnership, while emphasising the EPA's potential to deepen ties with both the European Union and Mauritius. In their view, the Agreement is poised to drive inclusive economic growth, expand market access, attract investment, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable development across the region.

10 June 2026

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Topics: Business, Bilateral cooperation