Mauritius 2026/27 budget projects Rs 234.1 billion in revenue, public debt to reach Rs 713.3 billion by June 2027
via Le Mauricien1 min read
Mauritius's budget estimates for the 2026/27 financial year project revenues of Rs 234.1 billion, an increase of Rs 31 billion from the Rs 203.1 billion in 2025/26. However, public finances faced an additional shortfall of Rs 20 billion for the financial year ending June 30, beyond the Rs 10 billion from the aborted Chagos Deal. The government anticipates receiving Rs 198.5 billion from taxes in 2026/27, including Rs 18.1 billion from income taxes, Rs 44.2 billion from corporate taxes, and Rs 65.9 billion from Value Added Tax VAT. Excise duties on consumer products are expected to generate Rs 8.4 billion from alcoholic beverages, Rs 9.9 billion from cigarettes, Rs 4.3 billion from petroleum products, and Rs 3.6 billion from cars and other vehicles. Public debt is projected to reach Rs 670.5 billion, or 86.3% of GDP, by the end of this month, increasing to Rs 713.3 billion by the end of June 2027, and Rs 773.7 billion, or 79% of GDP, by the end of June 2029, the year of the next general elections. Foreign debt is expected to exceed Rs 100 billion, reaching Rs 114.7 billion by the end of next June, up from Rs 98.6 billion on June 30 of this year.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Mauritius has unveiled a new "Law and Order" strategy, backed by an investment of Rs 14.2 billion, to enhance security operations and strengthen the Mauritius Police Force. Key initiatives include Rs 125 million for modernizing the police vehicle fleet and Rs 531 million for additional equipment to improve field responsiveness. The government is also establishing a National Crime Agency NCA with Rs 200 million to boost crime-fighting coordination and investigative efficiency against organized networks. Community Policing will be revamped with Neighbourhood Officers maintaining direct contact with families and citizens to prevent drug use and identify social issues. Law enforcement, including the Special Mobile Force, will intensify operations against various offenses such as theft, illegal rallies, clandestine betting, and public nuisances, while the Safe City Network will be further utilized for surveillance. In the fight against drug trafficking, a three-pronged approach focuses on prevention, dismantling networks, and supporting victims. An additional Rs 80 million will go to the National Agency for Drug Control NADC for national awareness campaigns and a rapid alert system for new synthetic drugs. Legislation will be strengthened to expand the list of synthetic drugs considered criminal offenses, and a national consultation on cannabis is underway. The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit ADSU will receive Rs 436 million to enhance operations, focusing on financial intelligence a
Must ReadPrime Minister and Minister of Finance, Navin Ramgoolam, announced during the presentation of the 2026-27 budget that Mauritius will prioritize environmental protection and climate resilience. As a small island state, Mauritius faces significant climate change risks. A sum of 4 billion rupees will be allocated to the Coastal Erosion Adaptation Programme over the next five years to rehabilitate over 11.5 kilometers of severely eroded coastline across 17 priority sites. This initiative will be complemented by nature-based solutions, including reforestation, wetland preservation, dune restoration, and coastal vegetation rehabilitation. The government also aims to improve waste management, as only about 7% of waste in Mauritius is currently recovered and recycled. Challenges in this sector include limited quantities of sorted recyclable materials, high operating costs, and restricted markets for recycled products. The new funding will strengthen recovery channels, encourage investment, and make previously uneconomical waste streams viable, promoting a circular economy. Addressing plastic pollution is another key focus, with approximately 170 million PET bottles produced annually. The PET tax will be extended to all relevant containers to encourage a shift in consumption patterns. Additionally, a National Shoreline Management Strategy will be developed, and the Maurice 脦le Durable project will be relaunched as part of the country's ecological transition strategy. Navin Ramgoolam e
Mauritius is introducing new legislation to make violations of protection orders a criminal offense, aiming to enhance safety and gender equality. A new domestic violence bill will reinforce protection orders, and a coordinating committee on gender-based violence will be established for rapid, inter-institutional responses. Victims of gender-based violence will also receive support through financial autonomy training. To protect vulnerable children, a National Adoption Bill will create a modern legal framework for adoption and a dedicated adoption authority. The Foster Care Advisory Unit will be strengthened, and foster care regulations revised to simplify assessments for prospective foster parents and build a stronger network of qualified foster families. Ten million rupees are allocated for new shelters, specialized caregiver training, and a transitional home. The national gender equality policy will be extended across all sectors to integrate gender into decision-making, with five million rupees allocated for a women's incubator under the SME program. New laws are also being developed to ensure a minimum 25% female representation on the boards of parastatal bodies. Additionally, women seeking loans will no longer require spousal consent, and a "She Invents" project will promote women in research and innovation.