Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean, presents several opportunities for small businesses. The region’s strategic location and growing population offer a promising market for various business ventures. The rise of the construction sector in response to significant equipment needs, the potential for innovation in various sectors, and the quality healthcare services available in the region are all positive indicators for small business prospects. Additionally, the island’s dynamic economic growth, averaging 7% annually over the last decade, and the availability of public funds for essential projects provide a favorable environment for small business development.
However, small businesses in Mayotte also face several challenges. The lack of infrastructure, including poor waste management and limited circular economy development, poses obstacles to business growth. Additionally, the region’s heavy dependence on French financial assistance, which supplements its GDP, and the high tariffs imposed on non-essential goods, such as alcohol, may impact the economic prospects for small businesses. The immigration issues caused by the economic prosperity of Mayotte, leading to a high growth rate and the turning away of destitute immigrants, also present social and economic challenges for the region.
Despite these challenges, the region’s semi-openness to foreign investment and the availability of public funds for essential projects provide opportunities for small businesses. The island’s strategic location, dynamic economic growth, and the availability of public funds for essential projects offer a favorable environment for small business development. The region’s openness to international investment, guarantees of legal certainty and political stability, and digital infrastructure corresponding to European standards make it an attractive destination for small businesses. Mayotte’s semi-openness to foreign investment, high tariffs on non-essential goods, and dependence on French financial assistance are some of the challenges that small businesses may face. However, the region’s potential for growth and government support for businesses affected by the pandemic provide a foundation for economic recovery.
