Africa wealth report: Millionaire island Mauritius is home of the elite

Kieron Monks, CNN
2 minute read
Published 6:58 AM EDT, Fri May 5, 2017
Mauritius has the highest wealth per capita in Africa, the fastest growing wealth per capita, and the fastest growing population of millionaires, according to a new report from the AfrAsia Bank.
Life's a beach —
Mauritius has the highest wealth per capita in Africa, the fastest growing wealth per capita, and the fastest growing population of millionaires, according to a new report from the AfrAsia Bank.
Mauritius-Tourism-Authority
The report attributed the island's wealth to its favorable business climate with low taxes and loose regulations, as well as the luxury lifestyle on offer including beaches and golf courses.
Par for the course —
The report attributed the island's wealth to its favorable business climate with low taxes and loose regulations, as well as the luxury lifestyle on offer including beaches and golf courses.
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Mauritius has also seen rapid development of its infrastructure including new hospitals such as the Apollo Bramwell.
Five-star facilities —
Mauritius has also seen rapid development of its infrastructure including new hospitals such as the Apollo Bramwell.
Apollo Bramwell
South Africa is home to over 40,000 millionaires, the most of any African country. Johannesburg is the number one city for millionaires.
Business capital —
South Africa is home to over 40,000 millionaires, the most of any African country. Johannesburg is the number one city for millionaires.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Egypt is the second-placed African country for millionaires with over 18,000, the majority concentrated in its capital Cairo.
Nile high —
Egypt is the second-placed African country for millionaires with over 18,000, the majority concentrated in its capital Cairo.
Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Zimbabwe's wealth per capita has plummeted to $200 after a sustained period of economic crisis under President Robert Mugabe.
Going down —
Zimbabwe's wealth per capita has plummeted to $200 after a sustained period of economic crisis under President Robert Mugabe.
Desmond Kwande/afp/getty images
Nigeria experienced a slump in 2016 with wealth per capita falling by 20%.
Sleeping giant —
Nigeria experienced a slump in 2016 with wealth per capita falling by 20%.
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Africa wealth report: winners and losers

Story highlights

Wealth per capita more than double closest rival

Favorable business environment and luxury lifestyle key

Zimbabwe and Nigeria see declines

CNN  — 

The wealthiest people in Africa are strolling along the sun-kissed beaches of Mauritius, according to a new report from the AfrAsia Bank.

The bank’s analysis found that Mauritians had the continent’s highest wealth per capita in 2016 at $25,700, more than double that of second-placed South Africa on $11,300. They also enjoyed the highest growth rate in wealth per capita last year of over 20%.

In addition, Mauritius has the fastest growing population of millionaires, which increased by 20% in 2016. Over a ten-year period between 2006-2016 the island saw a continent-leading 230% growth of millionaires.

South Africa retained its lead for the highest total number of millionaires in 2016 with 40,400, a long way clear of Egypt on 18,100. Africa’s southernmost state also dominated the city charts, with Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban all among the top 10 for resident millionaires.

Banks and beaches

AfrAsia analysts identify Mauritius’ favorable business environment as key to its rising wealth.

“Secure ownership rights … are the most critical component of successful wealth creation globally,” the report notes. “Ownership rights are very strong in Mauritius, which encourages locals and foreigners to invest in property and businesses in the country.”

The island has seen an influx of millionaires from France and South Africa, according to the report, which has fuelled the development of a “thriving and growing financial services sector, particularly in offshore banking, fund management and private banking.”

The bank’s analysts believe that Mauritius’ low taxes and relaxed government regulations are extremely attractive to wealthy businesspeople.

The country also offers a luxury lifestyle of “beaches, weather, golf courses and scenery.”

Mixed picture

The report also highlights downturns elsewhere in Africa, notably Zimbabwe.

Wealth per capita has declined to $200 per capita under President Robert Mugabe, AfrAsia found, having plummeted since 2000.

Analysts attribute the drop to a decline in ownership rights, leading to capital flight from the country.

Some of the continent’s largest economies have also suffered. Nigeria’s wealth per capita dropped from $2,000 to $1,600 in 2016, and the West African state also saw a 20% drop in millionaires.

The report found a mixed picture on the continental scale. There are 145,000 millionaires living in Africa today, with combined wealth of around $800 billion.

The number of millionaires has grown by 19% since 2006, but fell by 2% in 2016. However, the report projects that there will be 36% more millionaires in Africa by 2026.

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