The Government of Mauritius has unveiled on 26 May 2025 : “The Blueprint for Mauritius – A Bridge to the Future – Digital Transformation 2025-2029” (the “Blueprint”). This roadmap outlines the Government’s measures to modernise Mauritius and move towards a digital transformation of the island. The intention of the Government of Mauritius is clear: embedding cybersecurity, ethical AI and data protection into the architecture of every service.

The Blueprint is structured around four strategic pillars:

1. The Foundation : State-of-the-art info structure
2. Human Capital – Digital Skills For All
3. Economy – Innovation and Private Sector Growth
4. Planet- A Sustainable And Resilient Digital Future, and supported by five enablers : 
   1. Digital Public Infrastructure
   2. Legal and Regulatory Reform
   3. Institutional Governance
   4. Cyberresilience and trust, and
   5. Data Governance and AI

This review of the Blueprint highlights some of the salient features that it is proposing.  

The Regulatory Landscape

It is obvious that with the deployment of such a strategy, changes in the laws of Mauritius are expected.  An e-commerce regulatory framework will be introduced which proposes to include the registration and licensing of online sellers, adherence to operational standards and creation of a database of verified operators.

The Blueprint specifies that Electronic Transferable Records (ETRs) are essential to automate international trade processes and as such blockchain technology will enable secure and unified handling of ETRs across platforms. The current Electronic Transactions Act 2000 will therefore require an amendment to align with UNCITRAL’s Model Law which is a blockchain-based trade framework.

As data protection will be a major concern in this process of digital transformation, the Government will undertake an update of the data protection and privacy laws to include : 

1. An update of the Data Protection Act 2017 to be realigned with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation
2. The enactment of regulations relating to data protection officers and e-privacy 
3. The enactment of the Freedom of Information Act to regulate the access to public information and
4. The revision of the constitutional right to privacy to cater to data protection and freedom of information.

The present Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act 2021 (the “CCA2021”) will be reviewed with new provisions which cater for an official listing of qualified firms authorised to conduct IT security audits and the setting up of the National Cyber Resiliency Agency. Furthermore, provisions will be made for the use of identity management services for online identification of physical and legal persons in Mauritius. Proposed amendments to cyber laws will redefine cyber offences, strengthen investigation powers, support international cooperation and enforce protection of critical systems. Social media moderation is also a regulatory concern whereby guidelines will be issued to outline social media moderation and anti-trolling practices.

The Information and Telecommunication sector will be impacted by numerous changes within the regulatory frameworks. The Information and Communications Technologies Act 2001 will be amended to ensure respect of constitutional rights of freedom of expression. A regulatory framework will be established to authorise the use of Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit broadband internet services within the territory of Mauritius.

A Cybersecurity Directive for telecommunication operators will set the legal obligations as well as the required technical operational framework to ensure network security and resilience to guarantee service availability. The licensing framework for information and communication networks and services will be reviewed to modernise the current system and make it more adaptable to evolving information and communication networks and services. 

Artificial Intelligence

A National Artificial Intelligence Strategy will be developed. The core objective of this strategy is to leverage AI to propel economic growth and push efficiency in different economic sectors. An AI Unit will be established to allow the integration of AI across all national digital projects and ensuring AI technologies are effectively harnessed to improve public services. The Blueprint also proposed the development of a National AI Policy in order to govern the ethical development and use of AI.

Digitalisation of public services

The Blueprint emphasises on the access to services which will be facilitated by the digitalisation strategy. The Blueprint proposes a Unified Government Portal and a Government Super App whereby all services would be available online with just one login, using digital ID or Mobile ID. Citizens would be able to use their mobile ID to prove their identity, sign documents or access government services securely from their devices. Amongst other measures, it is also proposed that an integrated digital immigration system be introduced simplifying visa applications, border processing and travel document checks.

Driving innovation and private sector growth

Innovative SME Programmes will be introduced to foster access to online platforms and sandboxes for creation of innovative digital solutions. Moreover, the Blueprint also indicates the creation of a “citée des métiers” in the digital space to bring together service providers and consumers for ease of access and extension of customer base. It is contemplated that the digital transformation across key sectors be accelerated supporting technologies like automation, AI and digital twins in agriculture, manufacturing and logistics.

Going Forward

It remains to be seen which of the above measures the Government will undertake as a priority which is expected to be unveiled in the much anticipated Budget speech on 5 June 2025.