By Oke Peter
Did you know that Mauritius has one of the most reliable electricity systems in Africa, with about 98% of citizens reporting that their electricity works most or all of the time?
The island nation of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa, has built an electricity system that stands out on a continent where power interruptions remain a major challenge. Afrobarometer data showed that Mauritius recorded a 98% reliability rate, compared with an average of just 43% across the African countries surveyed.
•Mauritius flag
Mauritius has a population of about 1.24 million people, according to the World Bank's 2025 data.
What natural resources does Mauritius have?
Although Mauritius is not endowed with the vast oil and gas reserves found in countries such as Nigeria, Angola or Algeria, it has several natural resources that contribute to its economy and energy supply.
Its most important energy-related resource is sugarcane. The country's sugar industry produces bagasse, the fibrous material left after sugarcane is crushed. Mauritius uses this agricultural waste to generate electricity, turning what could otherwise be discarded into a useful source of energy.
The country also has hydropower, wind, solar energy, landfill gas and other biomass resources. In 2024, locally available sources, including bagasse, hydro, wind, landfill gas, photovoltaic energy and fuelwood, accounted for part of Mauritius' primary energy supply.
So, what is Mauritius doing differently?
One major difference is diversification. Rather than relying on a single source of electricity, Mauritius combines generation from the government-owned Central Electricity Board (CEB) with power supplied by Independent Power Producers. In 2024, independent producers generated 53% of the country's electricity, while the CEB accounted for 47%.
The country has also made use of its sugar industry to strengthen electricity generation. Bagasse-based generation allows Mauritius to obtain energy from a locally available resource while reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Another important factor is near-universal electricity access. Afrobarometer reports that Mauritius has achieved universal coverage, meaning virtually all communities are connected to the electricity grid.
•Map of Mauritius
Mauritius is also investing heavily in renewable energy and energy storage. Its government has set a target of obtaining 60% of electricity from renewable sources by 2035. Current plans include floating solar, large-scale solar farms, agrisolar projects, wind power and battery storage. The government has also announced incentives for households to install rooftop solar systems.
Official statistics show that renewables supplied 18.2% of Mauritius' electricity generation in 2024, with the government working to significantly increase that share.
The lesson for Africa
Mauritius demonstrates that electricity reliability is not simply about possessing huge oil, gas or coal reserves. It is also about planning, diversification, universal grid access, private-sector participation, efficient utility management and continuous investment in generation and infrastructure.
For a country of just over one million people, Mauritius has shown that a relatively small economy can build an electricity system that provides dependable power to virtually its entire population.
Did you know? Mauritius may not have Africa's biggest energy reserves, but its approach to electricity reliability offers a powerful lesson: reliable power begins with effective planning, diversified generation and sustained investment—not merely abundant natural resources.
