The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched its 2017 edition of Measuring the Information Society Report¹ during the World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium² in Tunisia. The report is published annually by the ITU since 2009 and it’s considered an important ICT Development Index by the National Computer Board³ of Mauritius.

Mauritius ranks 72 and is observed (as per the index) as performing better than neighbouring countries like South Africa, Maldives, Seychelles, Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Zambia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, Tanzania and several others. Last year Mauritius ranked 73, the same as the year before.

It would appear as if we’re performing well in the African region but if we look back then the last time we occupied the 72^nd position on the ICT Development Index was in 2012. Did we really progress since then? There does not seem to be any leap in ICT progression in the past five years.

The deployment of FTTH by Mauritius Telecom was only accelerated last year and perhaps it could contribute to raise our position on the index in the coming years if there is a balance between the price and quality of internet.

Meanwhile I suppose Mauritius will continue to be mentioned as a good performer in the ministerial speeches. 🤓