Budget 2025-2026: Artificial Intelligence

Across the globe, Artificial Intelligence is being embraced by countries at national level and across companies for its numerous benefits like improved productivity, efficiency, decision-making or enhanced customer experience. To better harness the advantages, Government Budget 2025–2026 places significant and strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a catalyst to propel economic transformation and innovation in a bold move to reposition Mauritius as a forward-looking digital economy.

Under the broader theme of “Innovative Mauritius,” the budget outlined a strategic vision that includes the integration of AI across various sectors. With targeted fiscal incentives and sector-specific integration, the budget underlined a strong commitment from Government to harness AI for national transformation.

The ICT industry in Mauritius has shown great resilience over the years in face of several external shocks and the recent global pandemic thereby remaining a key pillar of the economy with a GDP contribution of 5.6% in 2024. It also continues to be one of the largest employers in the country employing 34,500 people. However, the fact that the ICT industry is undergoing a transformative evolution driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, 6G networks, and spatial computing cannot be overlooked.

In line with Government ambition in transforming Mauritius into an Intelligent Island, the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation has recently launched its blueprint for the ICT industry which set out a clear roadmap for digital transformation. Through the Blueprint, Mauritius will harness the power of digital technologies by integrating AI into its national development plans to build a more inclusive, democratic and sustainable society.

The AI-related initiatives as announced in the budget further demonstrate continuity from the Government Programme 2025-2029 and alignment with the ICT blueprint. Some of the initiatives are highlighted below: