How Mauritius’s National ESG Framework Can Guide the Island State’s Green ICT Future

As the world changes at a rapid pace, adaptability becomes the key to survival and growth. This rings true for individuals, organizations, and even nations—like Mauritius. Mauritius has experienced remarkable economic growth relative to many other African nations, driven by a strategic shift toward digital transformation. Yet, as a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Mauritius faces acute climate vulnerabilities, especially from sea level rise that threatens coastal ecosystems, infrastructure, and the very future of its technology-driven economy. How can Mauritius’s national ESG framework pave the way to a successful green transition?

Mauritius’s Digital Transformation

Mauritius’s economy used to rely on the agriculture sector, specifically the sugar cane industry. Then, the country was forced to respond to the sharp decline in the sugar sector’s contribution to GDP from 5.5% in 1976 to just 0.8% by 2000, caused by diminishing trade preferences, rising oil prices, and intensifying global competition.

Showcasing its adaptability, Mauritius made a bold strategic shift from its traditional reliance on sugar and agriculture to a focus on information and communication technologies (ICT). Today, the ICT sector is thriving and aligns with the country’s ambition to position itself as a strategic gateway between Africa, Asia, and Europe. One of the most significant developments is the Ebene Cybercity, a technology park built in the 2000s and often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Mauritius. It hosts major IT companies and start-ups, creating thousands of jobs and fostering tech entrepreneurship.

A Policy Transition to Combat Climate Change

For decades, agriculture and sugar production significantly contributed to Mauritius’s national greenhouse gas emissions. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in sugarcane farming also led to runoff that polluted rivers and coastal waters. Climate change and environmental degradation hit hard. Between 1987 and 2020, Mauritius experienced an average sea level rise of approximately 4.7 mm annually, with projections suggesting an increase of up to 49 cm by 2100.

In response, Mauritius has begun shifting its national policy framework toward green, sustainable development. Recognizing the environmental cost of its past economic model, the government launched Mauritius Vision 2030, a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming Mauritius into a climate-resilient small island developing state.

Climate change, as a global challenge, exerts pressure on even the most stable governance systems. However, the ICT sector’s integration with a national ESG framework and established business networks presents an opportunity: all stakeholders–government, local businesses, and foreign investors–must align with Mauritius’s green policies. This would allow the country to mitigate climate impacts and build a sustainable island economy.

National ESG Framework for a Green ICT Future

Given escalating climate risks, ESG must evolve into a mandatory national framework. As of mid 2025, Mauritius is currently developing a robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework to position itself as a sustainable global tech hub. At the 17th African Economic Conference (2022), Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth emphasized the urgent need for climate-smart development across Africa and reaffirmed Mauritius’s leadership role.

After all, a comprehensive, long-term strategy that fosters public-private collaboration is essential to overcome ESG challenges and realize the country’s green and circular economy vision. For Mauritius’s blooming ICT sector, this multi-stakeholder participation born from the national ESG framework should guide ICT investment toward green transition. Its three key pillars are:

• Environmental: Promotes energy efficiency, carbon emission reductions, and e-waste management.
• Social: Encourages local job creation, digital inclusion, and skills training.
• Governance: Ensures transparency, ethical business practices, data protection, and regulatory compliance.

Attracting Investment for Green Transition

So far, Mauritius’s top-down green policies have successfully attracted both domestic and international investment. In partnership with the UNDP, the Economic Development Board (EDB) launched the Sustainable Development Goals Investor Map, a tool that directs investment toward high-impact, sustainable sectors aligned with ESG values. As a result, businesses are adopting clean technologies such as electric vehicles, low-carbon construction, and smart city innovations.

The EDB also ensures foreign investors comply with sustainability standards, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) managed by the Ministry of Environment. This ecosystem is helping Mauritius move toward its ambitious target of generating 60% of its energy from renewables by 2030 and phasing out coal. Fiscal incentives, including tax holidays and streamlined investment procedures, are also offered to investors complying with Mauritius’s green transition policies.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Development in Africa

Mauritius’s economic diversification has proven effective. In 2020, the World Bank classified Mauritius as a high-income country for the first time since 1992, making it the second African nation after Seychelles to reach this milestone.

With sustained commitment to green governance and inclusive growth, a robust national ESG framework would guide Mauritius even further. As it is, Mauritius stands as a compelling model of how a Small Developing Island State can drive a successful top-down green transition while fostering inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement through ESG principles that benefit people and the planet.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

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Ismail Anshari

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Ismail Anshari is a staff at the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) and a student of Master of Arts in Digital Transformation and Competitiveness at Gadjah Mada University. His research interests include human rights, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and ASEAN.

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