5 September 2024, Port Louis, Mauritius – A delegation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, led by CEO Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, successfully conducted a mission to Mauritius during the 46th Annual Meetings of the Association of African Central Banks (AACB). The CEO paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, and engaged in productive discussions with Hon. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, and Hon. Maneesh GOBIN, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration, and International Trade, who is the APRM Focal Point.
Mauritius has been a pioneering member of the APRM since its inception in 2003. The country completed its first country review in 2010 and has continued to demonstrate its dedication to the APRM process, submitting a comprehensive progress report in 2022. However, delays in the establishment of national structures and the second-generation country self-assessment have posed challenges. “I would like to encourage Mauritius to revive its National Governing Committee (NGC) and commence preparations for a second-generation country review. This will not only reinvigorate the APRM process in Mauritius but also strengthen the existing national governance structures,” Amb. Rose Quatre urged the national authorities.
During the courtesy call on His Excellency Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, the CEO commended Mauritius for its longstanding commitment to economic and political stability, serving as a beacon of good governance on the continent. Amb. Rose Quatre underscored the importance of re-establishing the National Governing Council (NGC) in Mauritius. She encouraged the government, under His Excellency’s leadership, to revitalize its national structures and move forward with the second-generation country review. This, she emphasized, would reinforce Mauritius’ leadership role in the APRM and on the continent.
The delegation also held productive discussions with Hon. Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, and other key stakeholders, including the APRM Focal Point, on matters related to the establishment of AfCRA. During these meetings, Mauritius reaffirmed its interest in hosting AfCRA in Port Louis and explored pathways for strengthening Mauritius' participation in the APRM’s credit rating initiatives.
Regarding the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), Amb. Rose Quatre acknowledged Mauritius’ official expression of interest to host the agency in Port Louis. “As per the Declaration endorsed by the policy organs of the African Union, the AfCRA will be an autonomous, private sector-owned entity. Its operations will be fully funded by its shareholders, and the decision on the host country will be made by these shareholders”, she explained. The APRM reassured its commitment to guiding Mauritius through the process and invited Mauritian experts to join APRM technical support missions on credit rating to other countries.
Mauritius has also agreed to APRM's request to participate in institutional consultations on the governance of the blue economy, as part of the Fourth Africa Governance Report (AGR-25), which will focus on the political economy and governance trends of natural resources.
The APRM is confident that Mauritius will continue to lead by example in promoting good governance. Amb. Rose Quatre also expressed her best wishes to the Government and people of Mauritius for peaceful and successful elections in November.
