• Mauritius ranks top in Africa for AI readiness and ICT infrastructure.

• National Digital Mauritius 2030 plan drives inclusive, next-gen digital economy.

• Strategic international partnerships boost innovation, start-ups, and tech adoption.

Mauritius is positioning itself as a digital hub at the crossroads of Africa and the Indian Ocean, leveraging strategic vision, innovation, and international collaboration to become a model of digital transformation.

The island nation has advanced rapidly in recent years through coherent strategies, heavy infrastructure investments, and continuous support for innovation. These efforts place Mauritius among Africa’s best-prepared countries for a digital economy transition.

International Rankings Highlight Progress
 The United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index ranks Mauritius 76th globally, underlining its leadership in East Africa with a score of 0.7506. Meanwhile, the AI Readiness Index 2024, which assesses governance, technological capabilities, and data availability, ranks Mauritius 69th worldwide—second in Africa and first in Sub-Saharan Africa—outperforming South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco, and Senegal.

Mauritius also ranks third in Africa on the ITU’s 2025 ICT Development Index with a score of 86.3, reflecting robust digital infrastructure and a thriving tech ecosystem.

Ambitious Vision: Digital Mauritius 2030
 The country’s Digital Mauritius 2030 plan aims to build an inclusive, sustainable digital economy, structured around five pillars: digital governance, ICT infrastructure, innovation, talent management, and cybersecurity.

Mauritius has rolled out a national fiber-optic network, expanded 4G LTE coverage, and initiated 5G deployment. Tier-4 data centers and upcoming 5G Advanced trials are expected to accelerate IoT adoption and next-generation digital services.

Inclusive initiatives, such as free mobile internet for citizens aged 18–25 and digital skills training programs, reinforce talent development. Internet penetration reached 79.5% at the start of 2025, up from 75.5% in January 2024, according to DataReportal.

International Partnerships Drive Innovation
 Strategic collaborations with India, the EU, and UNDP have fostered digital literacy programs, start-up support, and technology transfer. These partnerships enhance access to financing and advanced technologies, accelerating Mauritius’ 2030 digital vision.

By combining strategic planning, strong infrastructure, and global collaboration, Mauritius is not only a regional leader but also aims to compete with emerging digital economies worldwide, creating a model of inclusive, sustainable growth for Africa.

Samira Njoya