Enhancing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Trade Data for a Digital-driven Mauritius Future
Mauritius is taking significant strides to improve its ICT trade data, aiming to create a more robust digital economy. This initiative involves strengthening collaboration between key national and international institutions, enhancing trade survey methodologies, and addressing data accuracy issues.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Bank of Mauritius are collaborating to augment the International Transactions Reporting System (ITRS) data and support a smooth transition to BPM7 standards. The BPM7, the 7th edition of the Balance of Payments Manual, provides a more refined international framework for recording trade in services, including digital/ICT services. This transition aims to improve data granularity and bilateral trade reporting, a rarity among African countries.
One of the key challenges faced by the ITRS is accurately identifying the country of origin or destination for digital services due to financial flows being processed through offshore or third-party intermediaries. To overcome this, the Bank of Mauritius and its partners are working on enhancing the ITRS data.
The collaboration extends to Statistics Mauritius, the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, and the Economic Development Board. A technical workshop held from 14 to 16 July 2025 focused on data integration, trade surveys, modes of supply, and improved dissemination, emphasizing better data integration, improved survey techniques, and enhanced dissemination of results tailored to the ICT sector's needs.
Rajivsingh Jeetoo, Programme Manager at the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, stated that the open exchange of experiences demonstrated the collective strength in tackling shared challenges. Dooneshsingh Audit, Chief - Economic Analysis & Research and Statistics at the Bank of Mauritius, expressed enthusiasm for continuing the collaboration beyond the current phase of the African Trade Observatory project.
The improved ICT trade data will be crucial for designing effective policies, attracting investment, and ensuring sustainable growth in the ICT sector. In 2024, the ICT sector in Mauritius contributed Rs 33.9 billion ($735.6 million) to the economy, which is 5.6% of total gross value added (GVA). ICT services became the country's fifth-largest service export category in 2023, accounting for 5.2% of total service exports.
This digital transformation strategy aligns with the upcoming Digital Transformation Blueprint (2025-29), which emphasizes artificial intelligence, open data, digital government services, and a robust startup ecosystem. The African Trade Observatory project, led by the African Union, implemented by ITC, and funded by the European Union, is a significant part of this initiative.
Sources: [1] ITC News. (2025). Mauritius Collaborates with ITC to Improve ICT Trade Data. [online] Available at: https://www.intracen.org/news/mauritius-collaborates-with-itc-to-improve-ict-trade-data
[2] Bank of Mauritius. (2025). Enhancing ICT Trade Data for a Robust Digital Economy. [online] Available at: https://www.bom.mu/en/news/enhancing-ict-trade-data-for-a-robust-digital-economy
[3] Economic Development Board Mauritius. (2025). Mauritius' Digital Transformation Journey. [online] Available at: https://edbmauritius.org/mauritius-digital-transformation-journey/
The International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Bank of Mauritius are working together to refine the International Transactions Reporting System (ITRS) data and transition to BPM7 standards in data-and-cloud-computing, aiming to enhance data accuracy and improve reporting for digital/ICT services. The workshop hosted from 14 to 16 July 2025 brought together Statistics Mauritius, the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, and the Economic Development Board, focusing on data integration, trade surveys, modes of supply, and improved dissemination for better data tailored to the ICT sector's needs.
Rajivsingh Jeetoo, Programme Manager at the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, affirmed the importance of this collaboration for designing effective policies, attracting investment, and ensuring sustainable growth in the technology sector. This digital transformation strategy aligns with the upcoming Digital Transformation Blueprint (2025-29), focusing on artificial intelligence, open data, digital government services, and a robust startup ecosystem, which is part of the African Trade Observatory project, led by the African Union, implemented by ITC, and funded by the European Union.
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