Mauritius launches national AI strategy and FAIR rules — ethics first, law later

Mauritius has formally launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and accompanying FAIR Guidelines, intended as a national framework for ethical, inclusive and responsible AI adoption.

• The public launch took place on 9 April 2026 at the J & J Auditorium in Phoenix. It was led by the AI Unit of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (MITCI), with Dr Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, in attendance.

• The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Lisa Simrique Singh, also attended, along with other ministers, members of the National Assembly, and representatives from the public sector, private sector, academia and civil society.

• The Cabinet had already agreed to adopt the strategy and the supporting guideline document on 13 February 2026. The public launch, therefore, marked the formal unveiling rather than the first government decision.

What was launched

National AI Strategy

• Official government and UNDP accounts describe it as a roadmap for transparent, safe and effective AI adoption across priority sectors, with the stated aim of supporting a high-tech, innovation-driven digital economy.

• The AI Unit website lists the strategy as a 2025–2029 document. Some secondary reporting uses 2025–2029 or 2025–2030; the official period on the government AI Unit site is 2025–2029.

FAIR Guidelines

• These are presented as a shared ethical and governance framework grounded in Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Integrity, and Responsibility.

• The published guidelines themselves state that they are not a law, do not create legal obligations, and do not replace existing statutes or regulatory powers.

• They are a non-binding reference point intended to support consistency, public trust and later policy or regulation as the ecosystem matures.

AI Unit platform and marketplace

• At the same event, the government unveiled the AI Unit website as a central hub for governance, resources and collaboration: https://aim.govmu.org/aim/

• A Regional AI Marketplace was also introduced to connect solution providers, startups, businesses and public institutions. A related marketplace site is published at: https://aimarketplace.govmu.org/

Related tools mentioned in official coverage include the Digital Interactive Virtual Assistant (DIVA) for public services, the KOREK Super App, and an “AI for All” booklet.

Stated aims of the AI Unit

The official AI Unit site lists six strategic objectives:

1. Shape trusted AI governance

2. Transform public services through AI

3. Build a thriving AI ecosystem

4. Develop future-ready capabilities

5. Enable data and AI infrastructure

6. Position Mauritius on the global AI stage

These are policy aims as published by the government. They should not be read as independently verified outcomes.

UNDP role

• UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles, together with UNDP’s Digital, AI and Innovation Hub, provided technical and strategic support during strategy development and stakeholder consultations.

• UNDP’s own press release describes this as support for an ethical, inclusive and people-centred AI ecosystem, not as ownership of the strategy.

Important caveats

• The FAIR Guidelines are explicitly non-binding.

  • Claims that they “ensure” AI systems are secure, accountable and equitable by design overstate what a guideline document can do on its own.

• Some of the original draft language about “operationalising robust frameworks and safeguards” is government ambition, not evidence of completed regulation.

• Secondary outlets differ slightly in dates and the exact wording of FAIR. Official sources consistently place the launch on 9 April 2026 and treat Integrity as part of the “I” in FAIR, alongside Inclusiveness.

Primary sources

Official Mauritius government
https://mitci.govmu.org/mitci/national-ai-strategy-and-fair-guidelines-unveiled-to-position-mauritius-as-a-high-tech-innovation-driven-economy/
https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/National-AI-Strategy-and-FAIR-Guidelines-unveiled-to-position-Mauritius-as-a-high-tech,-innovation-driven-econ.aspx
https://aim.govmu.org/aim/
https://aimarketplace.govmu.org/
https://mitci.govmu.org/mitci/
https://mitci.govmu.org/mitci/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FINAL-GUIDELINES-15AVRIL.pdf
https://pmo.govmu.org/CabinetDecision/2026/Highlights%20of%20Cabinet%20Meeting%20%20Friday%20%2013%20February%202026.pdf
https://govmu.org/EN/newsgov/SitePages/High-level-conference-explores-the-transformative-impact-of-Artificial-Intelligence.aspx
https://president.govmu.org/president/launching-of-ai-for-all-ai-pou-nou-tou-booklet/

UNDP
https://www.undp.org/mauritius-seychelles/press-releases/mauritius-launches-national-ai-strategy-and-fair-guidelines-supported-undp
https://www.undp.org/mauritius-seychelles/news/undp-supports-mauritius-advancing-national-artificial-intelligence-strategy-through-broad-stakeholder-engagement

Independent / secondary reporting
https://www.africaainews.com/p/mauritius-launches-new-national-ai
https://maurice-info.mu/2026/04/11/ia-a-maurice-lancement-de-la-strategie-nationale-et-des-directives-fair-pour-une-economie-digitale.html
https://iafrica.com/mauritius-launches-national-ai-strategy-built-on-fairness-and-accountability-principles/
https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/202604130277.html
https://docs.aegis-ai.solutions/