By Dr Thomas Munthali
For many small states, geography is both a defining identity and a persistent constraint. Remoteness, limited resources, and narrow economic bases often restrict their ability to compete globally. Yet across the Commonwealth, a different story is emerging – one where strategic partnerships are unlocking opportunities for growth, market diversification and long-term economic resilience.
Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Rodrigues Island, an autonomous territory of Mauritius.
A small island with big constraints and bigger potential
Located over 600 kilometres from mainland Mauritius, Rodrigues is a small island of just over 100 square kilometres. Its economy depends largely on agriculture and fishing which produces goods like honey and salted seafood, including octopus. These products carry potential for premium export markets, particularly in niche and diaspora markets.
But like many small states, Rodrigues faces structural barriers. Limited connectivity, logistical hurdles, and constrained fiscal space make it difficult to scale production and access international markets. A key challenge has been limited capacity to meet global food safety standards which is essential for entering high-value markets.
The power of partnership: the Commonwealth approach
Recognising these challenges, the Commonwealth Secretariat has taken a partnership-driven approach. In December 2023, it launched the Rodrigues Export and Market Development Project, a multi-year initiative designed to boost exports.
What makes this effort stand out is its collaborative structure. Working alongside national and local institutions such as the Economic Development Board of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, the project brings together public agencies, training institutions, financial bodies and private enterprises. This ecosystem approach ensures that interventions are locally owned and sustainable.
Investing in systems, not just skills
At the heart of the initiative is a clear philosophy. Economic resilience is not just about injecting capital, it’s about building systems that endure.
One key pillar has been strengthening food safety standards through the introduction of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). Delivered in partnership with Polytechnics Mauritius, this training combined classroom learning with hands-on, on-site support for local businesses.
Six small and medium-sized enterprises received tailored guidance to align with international requirements, while a broader group gained foundational food safety knowledge, creating a ripple effect across the local economy.
But the project didn’t stop there.
More than 50 entrepreneurs were trained in export readiness and learnt how to navigate international markets, design products for global consumers, and meet regulatory requirements. Enterprise audits provided practical insights, while a “train-the-trainer” model ensured knowledge would continue circulating locally.
Collaboration as a catalyst for resilience
A defining feature of the initiative is its multi-stakeholder collaboration. Institutions such as SME Mauritius Ltd, Mauritius Research and Innovation Council, and the Development Bank of Mauritius played distinct roles, providing technical expertise, innovation support, and financing pathways.
This partnership model addresses institutional fragmentation by aligning efforts, reducing duplication, and strengthening the pathway from production to export.
Real impact: From compliance to competitiveness
The results are already tangible. Local businesses report improved practices, stronger compliance with international standards, and increased confidence in pursuing exports. Enterprises like Nature’s Spells Ltd and Miel Victoria Ltée have begun repositioning products for premium markets.
More broadly, the initiative has strengthened food safety systems, fostered quality and innovation, and opened new income streams, particularly in high-value and diaspora markets. But perhaps the most important impact is less visible – a shift in mindset. Entrepreneurs are no longer just producing for local consumption, they are now thinking globally, innovating and investing in quality.
Lessons for small states and the road ahead
The Rodrigues experience offers lessons for other small states:
- First, local ownership matters. Strong leadership from the Rodrigues Regional Assembly ensured alignment with real needs and community trust.
- Second, partnerships are essential. Transformation depends on combining expertise, resources, and networks.
- Third, practical, hands-on support delivers results by driving immediate impact and long-term behavioural change.
As we look ahead to the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda this November, the focus is on scaling gains by expanding HACCP certification, improving branding and packaging, and strengthening digital trade connectivity. Trade fairs and networking will further link producers to global buyers.
With continued support through 2026, the project is poised to deepen its impact and serve as a replicable model for other Commonwealth small states. For more on this story and related partnerships and investments in small states, see the 2025 Commonwealth Small States Bulletin
- Dr Thomas Munthali, Head of Economic Policy and Small States and Opeyemi Abebe, Head of the Trade Competitiveness