Description: Mauritius’s Digital Mauritius 2030 Strategic Plan, launched in 2018, positions the island as an AI hub through coordinated policy and investment. The Mauritius Artificial Intelligence Council, chaired by the Ministry of Technology, oversees initiatives like AI-based disease surveillance (e.g., dengue monitoring) and smart irrigation for 40% of sugarcane farms, which contribute 15% to GDP. Backed by $50 million, the plan funds 20 AI training programs, certifying 5,000 professionals by 2024 via partnerships with Coursera and Huawei. A regulatory sandbox has attracted $100 million in investments from tech giants, fostering 30 AI startups. Mauritius’s 90% broadband coverage and 1,200 STEM graduates annually support its ambitions. By 2030, the government aims to train 10,000 AI experts and integrate AI into 50% of public services, including e-health and smart tourism. The African Development Bank praises Mauritius as a model for small African nations.
Impact: Mauritius ranks in Africa’s top five for AI readiness, with 2,000 new tech jobs and a 20% rise in FDI since 2018. AI irrigation has increased sugarcane yields by 15%, adding $30 million to exports.
Challenges: Global AI indices undervalue Mauritius’s progress due to its 1.3 million population. Sustaining $50 million annual investments strains public budgets. Data privacy laws need strengthening to support AI growth.
Mauritius on the Path to Becoming a Hi-Tech Intelligent Island – Doing Business in Mauritius
