The Mauritian government, led by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation, recently participated in the Global AI and Digital Summit organized by the World Bank in Seoul, South Korea. The summit provided a platform for discussing the role of AI and digital technologies in development. The Mauritian delegation engaged in strategic exchanges with the World Bank to identify opportunities to support and accelerate the country's digital roadmap.
During the summit, the Mauritian Minister discussed potential areas of cooperation with the World Bank, including exploring concrete use cases for public sector management, establishing an AI Academy through partnerships with organizations like Smart Africa or Coursera, and technical assistance for developing an AI Act. The proposed AI Act aims to establish a legal framework for regulating AI. These discussions also touched on the possible establishment of an AI Knowledge Centre for Africa in Mauritius.
The Minister also participated as a panelist in a session titled "The Digital & AI Advantage," which focused on leveraging digital platforms, interoperability networks, and AI to enhance market access, improve productivity, and stimulate job creation, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The session highlighted the potential of digital technologies to drive economic growth and development.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Mauritian Minister met with several high-ranking officials and counterparts from Africa, including the Minister of Information Technology of Uganda and the Minister of ICT of Rwanda. These meetings aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in digital innovation and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The Council of Ministers, which met on October 30, 2026, took note of the positive outcomes of the Minister's participation in the Global AI and Digital Summit. The Council acknowledged the potential benefits of the World Bank's expertise in supporting Mauritius' digital transformation and AI development.
The World Bank's engagement with Mauritius reflects the country's commitment to harnessing the potential of digital technologies to drive economic growth and development. The proposed cooperation areas align with the Mauritian government's efforts to create a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The establishment of an AI Knowledge Centre for Africa in Mauritius could position the country as a hub for AI research and development in the region. This initiative could also contribute to the development of a skilled workforce in AI and related fields, ultimately driving economic growth and competitiveness.
Key points
- Mauritius is seeking World Bank expertise to accelerate its digital transformation and AI development.
- The proposed cooperation areas include establishing an AI Academy and developing an AI Act.
- The possible establishment of an AI Knowledge Centre for Africa in Mauritius could position the country as a regional hub for AI research and development.
