Budget 2025-2026: Research & Development and Innovation

In the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2024, Mauritius ranks 55th among 133 economies thereby retaining its position as the most innovative economy in sub-Saharan Africa. The GII ranks world economies according to their innovation capabilities.

The Research and Development (R&D) landscape in Mauritius is gradually evolving, with a growing focus on innovation-driven development and diversification of the economy. By placing a strong emphasis on R&D and innovation in the Budget speech 2025- 2026, the Government is committed in making Mauritius attractive for innovation that will drive economic growth.

Some of the initiatives are highlighted below:

• Setting up of a new National Research and Innovation Institute (NRII) under the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research. It will support both public and private sectors, while streamlining existing public research institutions for greater effectiveness.
• An amount of MUR 200 million allocated to Ministries to finance research that results in policy innovation.
• All parastatal organisations and State-Owned Enterprises will be required to come up with an R&D and innovation plan.
• Setting up of a High-Level Steering Committee on the Government Programme at the Prime Minister’s Office that will monitor progress on the Innovative Mauritius mission.
• Incentives through a new Innovative Mauritius Scheme to promote R & D and innovation.
• Incentives that include eligibility to a new Premium Investment Certificate, fast-track permits
  and easy access to infrastructure to attract foreign research laboratories to Mauritius.

Over the past decade, Mauritius has transformed its R&D landscape by building robust institutions offering fiscal incentives, investing in infrastructure and digital skills, fostering academia–industry linkages, enhancing IP protection and forming strategic international partnerships.

Moreover, the various measures announced in the Budget speech 2025 -2026 will enhance R&D, support socio-economic development, transform Mauritius into an innovation driven economy and contribute towards positioning Mauritius as a regional Innovation Hub.