History of Moka

From plantations to a village

It all began in the 18th century, when the French East India Company introduced coffee plants from the port of Moka in Yemen to Mauritius. Around 41 arpents were cultivated in the area, and the district took its name from this origin.

By 1817, sugar cane had taken over. Martial Henri René Noël founded the Mon Désert Alma sugar mill, laying the foundation for what would become the ENL Group (now ER Group).

In the 1850s, epidemics in Port Louis drove many families to move to the cooler central plateau. Artisans, market gardeners, and shopkeepers gradually settled, giving birth to the village of Moka.

From sugar era to modernisation

The 20th century brought modernisation. Sugar activities concentrated around Mon Désert Alma and FUEL, forming a structured agricultural hub.

In 1970, land was donated by the group for the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, a symbol of cultural and educational openness. By the late 1980s, group subsidiaries were listed on the stock exchange, marking a new economic chapter.

The 1990s saw Moka emerge as an education hub, with the opening of Bocage International School and École du Centre in Helvétia.

Two decades of transformation

ER Property was founded in 2007 to lead real estate development in Moka and Savannah. From 2009 onwards, the city began to transform with key projects such as Wellkin Clinic, Bagatelle Mall, Synergy Sports & Wellness Institute, Les Allées Shopping Centre, Voilà Hotel, Kendra Shopping Centre, Bagatelle and Gentilly, and the MBC headquarters. Helvétia, Moka’s first integrated project, was launched during this time.

New infrastructure improved mobility:

• The Saint-Pierre Bypass crossing Moka from east to west
• The M3 motorway connecting Moka to the island’s north

In 2017, Moka joined the Smart City Scheme, giving fresh momentum to development. Soon after, the Moka’mwad citizens’ collective was formed to foster local engagement and unity.

• L’Amphithéâtre de Telfair devient le lieu d’activités gratuites telles que des concerts, les cinémas en plein air, les activités sportives et autres.
• Les Promenades d’Helvétia welcomed their first residents, marking a new milestone in Moka’s residential development.
• La Promenade, the city’s linear park dedicated to soft mobility, is now a vibrant route for walkers, cyclists and sports enthusiasts.
• The first phase of L’Avenir sold out quickly.
• Les Kocottes : old chicken coops and cottages were refurbished into spaces for civic, cultural and economic activities.

• Helvétia, Synergy and Bagatelle Mall celebrated their 10th anniversaries.
• A new playground and extended promenade improved daily life in Helvétia.
• Mauritius’ first Burger King opened, as well as 42 Market Street and the first Decathlon store on the island.

• The second phase of L’Avenir launched successfully.
• Moka introduced landowner associations, a new model of participatory governance.
• The city’s cultural identity was reinforced with the Art & Culture hub and the launch of the Rezidan artist residency programme.

• The Climate Hub in Telfair was established with a wastewater treatment plant and the planting of the city’s first mini urban forest.
• A free car park has been constructed at the base of Le Pouce for hikers’ convenience.
• Les Petits Futés school expanded its capacity.
• Construction began on the future US Embassy in Bagatelle.

• Moka became the second African city certified as a Tree City of the World.
• The first phase of Telfair city centre opened with shops, restaurants, bars, and residential buildings.
• The Verdun interchange on the M3 motorway was inaugurated, along with a new access Vivéa Business Park.

• Telfair was awarded LEED-ND certification – the first African city to earn this elite designation.
• Roulib, Mauritius’ first electric bike-sharing service, launched in Moka.
• The French Embassy was inaugurated in Telfair.
• President Emmanuel Macron visits Moka as part of his official trip to Mauritius.
• A 2 MW solar photovoltaic farm installed at the Telfair Climate Hub.