The government of Mauritius has confirmed it will rely on Switzerland as a model on how to boost the ICT sector, stimulate innovation and technology.

During a recent half-day conference on innovation organised by the Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIoD) in Ebène, Yogida Sawmynaden, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation in Mauritius said, "Switzerland has a remarkable track record in terms of political stability and this in turn creates a climate of trust conducive to innovation which has an essential role to play in the development strategy of any country. New or enhanced products as well as the associated methods of productions have, for a long time now, been considered as the main engines of economic growth."

The Minister said modernising ICT in Mauritius by 2030 and transforming the country into a higher income economy will make the country more innovative.

He also emphasises a need for the development of adequate skills in technology, high-tech engineering for use in sectors such as agriculture, finance, oceanography and tourism.

"Government wants to make Mauritius an entrepreneurship nation, capable of using technology to create innovative products and market them on the African continent and across the world."

Most innovative country

Switzerland is the most innovative country in the world for the seventh consecutive year according to the 2017 Global Innovation Index (GII) released in June.

GII, co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), found that Sub-Saharan Africa draws its highest scores in institutions and market sophistication. It also stated that economies such as Mauritius, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso perform on par or better than some of their development-level peers in Europe and South East Asia, East Asia and Oceania.

"Since 2012, Sub-Saharan Africa has counted more 'innovation achiever' countries than any other region. Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique, Uganda, Malawi, Madagascar and Senegal stand out for being innovation achievers this year, and several times in the previous years. Burundi and the United Republic of Tanzania become innovation achievers this year. Preserving and building upon this innovation momentum in Sub-Saharan Africa is now key," reads an excerpt from the Report.

GII found that South Africa is the most innovative country in Sub-Saharan Africa followed by Mauritius and Kenya. The three countries are placed in 57th, 64th and 80th respectively on the global ranking.