LocationsThe Programme aims at deepening the export readiness of SMEs in Mauritius
Kick-off of the Xport Accelerator Programme 2.0
October 15, 2025
The XPort Accelerator aims to boost the export-readiness of SMEs, in particular women and youth-led businesses
Stéphane Bellerose / UNDP Mauritius
The second phase of the Xport Accelerator Programme - Mauritius held a kick-off meeting at the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in Port Louis. The event reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening the export potential of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women including youth, as part of efforts to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
An initiative of the MCCI, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Xport Accelerator Programme is a capacity-building initiative aimed at improving the export readiness of selected SMEs and supporting their integration into regional and continental value chains. The programme targets SMEs, including women-led and youth-led businesses, to help them build the competencies needed to access new markets across Africa.
Implemented under the SIDS Africa Market Access Programme (SIDSMAP), the Xport Accelerator Programme 2.0 aligns with the UNDP Country Programme Document (2024–2028) and Mauritius’ ambition to unlock the potential of its private sector in driving sustainable and inclusive growth. The 2025 edition welcomes 15 dynamic new SMEs and five returning high-performing enterprises from the 2024 cohort. These 20 businesses were selected through a rigorous screening process from 55 applications, reflecting the strong entrepreneurial drive and export potential of the Mauritian SME sector.
Accessing data on African markets as a key success factor for local SMEs.
In his opening speech, Dr. Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General of the MCCI, underscored the Chamber’s continued partnership with UNDP to support SMEs. He emphasized MCCI’s dedication to promoting entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and youth engagement. Dr. Ramdenee also noted that the programme’s focus on exporting to Africa highlights the importance of accessing data on African markets as a key success factor for local SMEs.
Ms. Sujitha Sekharan, Officer-in-Charge of UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, congratulated the participating enterprises and highlighted the crucial role of SMEs as emerging drivers of inclusive growth and contribution to GDP. She stated: “As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support are the cornerstones of meaningful progress. Together, we will build on past successes, explore new opportunities, and empower each other to reach greater heights.”
The event also featured an overview of the Xport Accelerator Programme presented by Ms. Rooma Narrainen, Head of Advocacy at MCCI, followed by a presentation from Mr. Julien Warlouze, Business Coach and Mentor for the programme.
The 2025 edition of the Xport Accelerator Programme focuses on four key components:
- Export Readiness Workshop - building foundational export knowledge and market entry capacity.
- Mentorship, Pre-Fair Coaching & Post-Fair Advisory - preparing enterprises for trade fairs and ensuring sustained follow-up.
- Export-Readiness Grants - supporting product enhancement, certification, packaging, and compliance.
- Trade Fair Participation - enabling SMEs to showcase their products at regional and continental platforms such as the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025) and the B2B Forum.
Building on the achievements of its first cohort, the Xport Accelerator Programme 2.0 represents a strategic shift toward deeper, more targeted investment in Mauritian enterprises. Through this initiative, MCCI and UNDP reaffirm their shared commitment to empowering local entrepreneurs, promoting women’s economic participation, and advancing Mauritius’ integration into regional and global value chains.
