Thinking about investing, living, working, studying or retiring in Mauritius? Moka Smart City is leading the way with attractive lifestyle, business and property investment opportunities for the South African market.
Moka Smart City is situated inland about some 10 to 15-minutes’ drive from the capital Port Louis and 30 minutes from the international airport. As with many cities around the world, Port Louis has seen a relocation of many of the tech and financial services companies to the surrounding area of Ebene Cyber City and Moka. Developed by the ENL Group, one of the largest listed corporate entities on the island, Moka comprises the economic heart of the island and today is much like Sandton was to the Johannesburg city centre 25 years ago.
Spreading over 500 hectares, Moka has experienced unprecedented growth over the last decade and ticks many boxes in terms of safe and affordable lifestyle. It brings to the market a new property range that is a shift away from the high-value, holiday or second homes traditionally sold to international buyers.
The growth of Moka has also been driven through the development of three existing business parks for office rental or acquisition. Moka is ideal for South African businesses wanting to build their own offices or showrooms in Mauritius and many local and international brands, such as PwC, have established their regional head offices in the area.
Moka Smart City is not only a sound investment product. The Moka region has developed over the past 12 years as the smart and sustainable place to live, work, play and study in Mauritius. It offers substantial property price benefit in comparison to coastal investments, yet with easy access to the tropical beaches that are no more than a 25-minute drive away.
A vast range of residential units awaits at Les Promenades d’Helvétia. These low-maintenance, modern apartments and duplexes were designed to maximise cross-ventilation, reduce sun exposure, afford ample outside living areas and optimise views over the scenic Moka mountain range. Premium three- to four-bedroom apartments, penthouses and duplexes are available from R6.2m, most of which qualify for Mauritian residency with the new reduced investment threshold to US$375,000. Alternatively, Moka’s studio apartments offer an ideal accommodation solution for students, in addition to the attraction of an offshore investment. Relatively affordable, excellent buy-to-let investment apartments start from approximately R2.7m, offering high occupancy levels with rental yields at 6.5% pa and capital appreciation of 7% pa.
On the education side, Moka has every facility needed to accompany your children in their growth and development, from nursery right through to university. The Australian Curtin University, on site within Moka Smart City, offers a world-class tertiary education option for South African students seeking a globally recognised degree.
South African retirees too may consider Moka as an immediate option or as a future retirement back-up plan (and if the latter, a performing investment in the interim). Recent relaxations in the requirements for foreigner retirees to obtain a residency permit in Mauritius, has caught the eye of many a South African. Provided that the retiree or retiree couple brings into Mauritius US$18,000 a year (approximately R300,000) to cover living expenses, medical expenses, travels costs, holidays etc., they are eligible for a 10-year (renewable) residency permit to make Mauritius their home. As a retiree, one does not have to spend the US$375,000 on a property to obtain the residency permit, and therefore the two-bedroom Moka apartments at approximately R2.7m comprise a far more affordable home option.
For more information on the Moka Smart City, please visit www.moka.mu or contact Rob Hudson of ENL Property on rhudson@enl.mu or +27 (0)83 309 0760.