Mayotte

There are 12 overseas territories: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint-Martin, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, and the Wallis and Futuna islands, which together have almost 2.6 million inhabitants.

Because of its overseas territories, France is the only EU country that is present in three separate oceans. They help consolidate France’s second place worldwide in terms of maritime reach and make a telling contribution to the rollout of the country’s maritime and “blue growth” policies. These territories enshrine the future of energy as they are the “100% renewable energy” forerunners of the energy transition and the promotion of clean transportation.

Located at the northern entrance of the Mozambique Channel and 150 miles from Madagascar, the island of Mayotte has been a crossroads for maritime trade between Europe and the Indian Ocean for centuries. The island’s natural and cultural advantages provide strong potential and the sharp increase in the number of air passengers, together with the introduction of a direct flight between Paris and Mayotte, are leveraging growth.

Due to its French and European connections, Mayotte provides guarantees of legal certainty and political stability in the Region. The island has experienced a dynamic economic growth averaging 7% annually over the last 10 years and presents very relevant opportunities for private investments.

A hub and European standard infrastructures in the Indian ocean

With an exclusive economic zone of 74,000 sq. km (28,570 sq. miles) and a commercial port with €150 million of investment between 2013 and 2028, business opportunities are manifold, explaining the installation of major groups such as Sigma, Lafarge and Total. Mayotte was the leading French region for business creation in 2017 (+16.4% from 2016).

Digital infrastructure corresponding to European standards with a high and very high-speed internet available throughout the island and a Tier III data center
coming online in 2021.

This openness to international investment can also be seen at the Pamandzi international airport offering 11 international links (Paris, Réunion, Nairobi, Dar Es Salaam, Moroni, Antananarivo).

The construction is a booming sector, essential to the realization of Mayotte’s investment program planned for the next few years. Public funds (State, Europe, communities) are available, and they are earmarked for projects eagerly awaited by the population (schools, water management infrastructure, long runway at the airport, sports equipment, etc.). In view of the challenges, the rise of the construction sector must respond to big needs of equipments.

An innovation potential in many sectors

The number of students at the University of Training and Research Center (CUFR) of Mayotte have doubled in the last five years. In 2021, they were 1,800 registered students, including 450 of Master’s level.

With the emergence of cinematographic realisations in the island, Mayotte appears as the perfect spot for divertissement projects.

A quality service offer in the healthcare sector

The region boasts a hospital center, with four hospitals, 13 consultation centers and sophisticated technical services (MRI, scanner, operating theaters, medical analysis laboratories, erythrocytapheresis, diving chamber, sterilizer). Its equipment and personnel (205 doctors, including 58 medical specialists) make it a prime destination for medical evacuations, and it also has a renowned gynecological/obstetrics center.

More than half of childbirths on the island take place at the Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte (CHM).

Mayotte as a forerunner in terms of ecological policies

The island wants to move towards a 100% renewable energy rate its energy mix by 2030.
In order to decarbonize the territory, the island of Mayotte is counting on the deployment of photovoltaic installations, the conversion of thermal power plants to bioliquids, the implementation of a 12 MW biomass power plant and the development of its geothermal potential.

Circular economy

Improving waste management and developing the circular economy appear to be major challenges for Mayotte.
Many sectors are still to be set up or improved: construction waste, tires and batteries, D3E, packaging, etc.
The success of the collection, sorting and recovery sectors will largely depend on the ability of the actors to innovate by taking into account the local specificities of Mayotte. The circular economy must become a showcase for Mayotte in the next years.

An appreciated tourist destination thanks to exceptional landscape and biodiversity

Mayotte relies on top-of-the-range eco-tourism that enhances its lagoon (boating, diving), as well as its exceptional agricultural (aromatic and perfume plants) and environmental heritage.

In line with its commitment to sustainable development and the protection of its biodiversity, Mayotte is developing green tourism.

The island:

• is home to the 3rd largest lagoon in the world
• has a natural marine park of 1100 km
• counts 170 beaches.

In addition to its magnificent landscapes, it is also the warm welcome of the Mahorais that makes the tourist experience exceptional. To continue to welcome thousands of tourists every year, the island is investing in the creation of at least 5 new hotels on the coast and ecolodges for 2024.

The region welcomed 65,500 tourists in 2019, with its 1,100 sq. km. (425 sq. miles) of lagoons, 195 sq. km. (75 sq. miles) of barrier reef, its 170 beaches and its 200 km (124 miles) of hiking paths. The Natural Marine Park of Mayotte has no fewer than 300 species of coral, 2,300 marine species and 25 species of marine mammals.

Very appreciated by tourists, the island boasts rare biodiversity (whales, dolphins, tortoises, 35 species of birdlife) and a mild climate (26°C).

As a member of the “Vanilla Islands” network, Mayotte has 57 accommodation establishments and is planning to create six coastal hotels, or 500 new rooms, by 2024.

Discover Mayotte : https://www.mayotte-tourisme.com/

The Mayotte’s Development and Innovation Agency is the Business France Invest representative in Mayotte, and assists international companies wishing to establish themselves in the island.

The ADIM Agency sets up tools to allow and ensure your investments in the territory and realize your projects in all business sectors :

• Provides informations to facilitate your installation
• Help to acquire the financing necessary for the development of your projects
• Support throughout the development of your projects

Your regional contact

ADIM Mayotte
http://investinmayotte.fr/en/
contact@adim-mayotte.fr

Préfecture de Mayotte
BP 676 – Kawéni, Mamoudzou, Mayotte

To contact the Foreign Office : etrangers@mayotte.gouv.fr

International school programs

Discover our interactive map : International schools map – Welcome to France

Since 2021, Mayotte is part of the French Tech community, with the birth of Mayotte in Tech, the gathering of tech and communication companies.