Poland in Kenya

Historical outline 

Diplomatic relations were established at the ambassadorial level on April 30, 1979, as a result of the signing of an agreement on this matter in Nairobi by representatives of both countries. Mauritius falls under the territorial competence of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nairobi, while the Embassy of Mauritius in Berlin is responsible for relations with Poland. The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Mauritius operates in Warsaw, headed by Mr. Marek Klajda.

In connection with the campaign to elect Poland as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, relations between the two countries intensified. Bilateral meetings at the deputy minister level took place, among others: in 2016 on the sidelines of the COP 22 Conference in Marrakech and in 2016 on the sidelines of the Summit of Francophonie States. In 2018, Dar Młodzieży came to Port Louis as part of the Independence Cruise. During the ship's stay in the capital, a seminar on the Polish maritime economy was organized.

At the turn of November and December 2023, the Deputy Head of the Polish Embassy, ​​Joanna Szymańska, visited Mauritius. During the high-level meetings, priority tasks were discussed in the field of bilateral political and economic relations, public and cultural diplomacy, and cooperation at the local level in the field of twin cities. However, in January 2024, Amb. Mirosław Gojdź presented his credentials to the President of Mauritius - Prithvirajsing Roopun. During the meeting, deepening cooperation in the following sectors were discussed: tourism, trade and investment, parliamentary cooperation, and consular cooperation.

The Polish community in Mauritius numbers about 30 people - dominated by members of mixed families (often from marriages with Mauritian graduates of Polish universities) and several Polish missionaries also work there.

Recent years have been a period of stable economic growth for Mauritius, due to both the government’s export policy and the growing tourism sector. The creation of a free trade zones, the exemption of investment goods, raw materials and semi-finished products from import duties, tax exemptions and access to the European market – Mauritius is an associated country of the EU – encouraged foreign entrepreneurs to locate their representions and invest in Mauritius. 
Mauritius has a well-developed financial, telecommunication and IT sector, where – apart from tourism – the country’s economy is based. The island is also characterized by one of the highest GDP per capita in Africa, significantly exceeding 11 000 USD. To avoid economic stagnation, local authoritirs introduce changes in the vocational education system in order to adapt them to the market needs, strive for sustainable development of all branches of the economy and implement large-scale infrastructure and telecommnications investments.

Over the past decade, Poland has seen its trade with Mauritius increase by more than fourfold. In 2022, the value of exports from Poland to Mauritius amounted to USD 14.7 million, and from Mauritius to Poland USD 6.9 million. The main goods exported from Poland to Mauritius are machinery, parts for machinery and vehicles, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, food products and chemicals.

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nairobi has been participating in the European Film Festival in Mauritius for several years. In 2019, we showed Paweł Pawlikowski's film "Cold War". Pianist Rafał Łuszczewski also performed a concert of film music. During the Dar Młodzieży Independence Cruise, the ship's captain and the rector of the Maritime University of Gdynia planted a "Polish tree" in the botanical garden in Pamplemousses.

Individual students from Mauritius study in Poland, both as part of a scholarship from the Polish government on a non-payment basis and scholarship benefits, as well as paid studies. In 2019 one citizen of Mauritius was qualified under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degrees program. There are no Polish students in Mauritius. 

Recognition of academic qualifications

Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology