The Government’s decision to invest Rs 25 million in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for schools and businesses is a positive and encouraging first step. It demonstrates recognition that AI will play a defining role in the future of our economy and society.
However, if Mauritius is serious about becoming a leading digital nation, we must think much bigger. In my opinion, this investment should be increased substantially and form part of a comprehensive national AI strategy.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a technology of the future; it is transforming the world today. It is revolutionising education, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, tourism, public administration, cybersecurity, and countless other sectors. Countries that invest boldly in AI are positioning themselves to achieve faster economic growth, higher productivity, better-paying jobs, and greater international competitiveness.
For a small island nation like Mauritius, AI represents an unprecedented opportunity to overcome traditional economic limitations. We lack natural resources, but we possess our greatest asset: our people.
By investing in AI, we can develop a highly skilled workforce capable of competing globally while attracting high-value industries and international investment.
Mauritius should therefore make AI a national development priority by investing significantly more in:
- Introducing AI education from primary school through university, ensuring that every student acquires digital and AI literacy.
- Training teachers, lecturers, and public servants so they are equipped to use AI effectively and responsibly.
- Supporting SMEs and startups through grants, tax incentives, and technical assistance to adopt AI solutions that improve productivity and competitiveness.
- Building world-class digital infrastructure, including high-performance computing facilities, secure data centres, and AI research and innovation hubs.
- Establishing partnerships with leading global universities, technology companies, and research institutions to accelerate knowledge transfer and innovation.
- Encouraging local AI entrepreneurship, enabling Mauritian innovators to develop solutions for both local and international markets.
The benefits of such an ambitious strategy would be immense. AI can improve healthcare through earlier disease detection and personalised treatment. It can modernise agriculture through precision farming, strengthen tourism through personalised visitor experiences, improve public services through smarter digital government, enhance financial services, optimise transport systems, and create entirely new industries that do not exist today.
Most importantly, a bold AI strategy will prepare our young people for the careers of tomorrow. Many future jobs will require AI skills, while entirely new professions will emerge. We have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation is equipped not merely to adapt to technological change, but to lead it.
Mauritius has always demonstrated resilience and the ability to reinvent itself, from a sugar-based economy to one built on textiles, tourism, financial services, and ICT. Artificial Intelligence represents the next great economic transformation. We should seize this opportunity with vision, ambition, and determination.
The countries that lead in AI over the next decade will shape the global economy for generations to come. Mauritius should aspire to become the Artificial Intelligence hub of Africa and the Indian Ocean region, attracting investment, nurturing innovation, and exporting AI-driven products and services to the world.
The cost of underinvesting in Artificial Intelligence will be far greater than the cost of investing in it.
The time for incremental thinking has passed.
Mauritius must act boldly, invest decisively, and embrace Artificial Intelligence as a national priority.
Aslam Kathrada
CEO
NAK GROUP
