The Mauritian Cooperative Movement

Cooperatives in Mauritius have over 110 years of existence. The first cooperative society was registered in the sugar-cane sector in 1913 to reduce the dependence of the small cane planters on private money lenders and brokers. These cooperative societies which were registered as Co-operative Credit Societies were set up to provide credit and marketing facilities to the small cane planters.

People in Mauritius recognized the potential of cooperatives as a mean to improve their standard of living and enhancing their social status. With time, cooperatives diversified and it today encompasses some thirty different socio-economic activities. The main activities undertaken by them include:

• Production and marketing of sugar cane, vegetables, fruits, tea and other food crops

• Agro-processing

• Fishing, processing and marketing of marine produce

• Livestock breeding

• Public transport

Thrift, savings and credit facilities

• Wholesale and retail of consumer goods

• Handicraft

Cooperative societies in Mauritius are autonomous organizations, regulated by the Co-operatives Act 2016. A primary cooperative society may be formed with at least five members and a minimum share capital of Rs5,000. Cooperative Societies are owned and managed by their members. Board Directors of cooperative societies are elected by their respective members at the Annual General Meeting.

The Cooperative Movement in Mauritius has a three-tier structure: primary societies; secondary cooperative societies which consist of primary cooperative societies; and a tertiary cooperative society which is formed by secondary cooperative societies. Presently in the Republic of Mauritius, there is one tertiary cooperative society, 18 active secondary cooperative societies and some 1,050 active primary cooperative societies. These active cooperative societies have around 85,000 active membership, engaged in some 25 different socio-economic activities with an annual turnover turning around Rs3.9 billion.

Cooperatives in Mauritius are playing a significant role in the socio-economic development of the country. Cooperative as a business model is contributing to economic growth, democratisation of the economy, employment creation, poverty alleviation, women empowerment and reduction in income inequality.

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