Africa’s second-richest country gains 145,000 sq km of ocean territory believed to contain rare earths as US considers buying its disputed islands

A major maritime expansion has given Mauritius rights over more than 145,000 square kilometres of ocean territory believed to hold critical minerals, as the US considers buying the Chagos Islands, which host a strategic US-UK military base on Diego Garcia.

Mauritius has secured approval to extend its continental shelf by more than 145,000 square kilometres after the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) approved its claim, giving the country greater rights over seabed resources, including potential rare earth elements.

The decision follows a request around Rodrigues Island, where Mauritius seeks to unlock marine resources and strengthen its position in the growing ocean economy.

Meanwhile, the approval reinforces Mauritius’ position as one of Africa’s wealthiest economies by GDP per capita, ranking second only to Seychelles in both nominal and purchasing power parity (PPP) measures, according to IMF-based estimates.

Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, whose government submitted the proposal in July 2024, described the approval as a major milestone for Mauritius’ sovereignty and economic future.