Open Data Iniative

In 2015, the Government of Mauritius embarked on the Open Data Initiative, by developing the National Open Data Policy, and carrying out the Open Data Readiness Assessment (ODRA) with the assistance of the World Bank. Subsequently, the Government approved the National Open Data Policy in April 2016 and the Open Data Readiness Assessment Report in July 2017. The main objective of the National Open Data Policy is to create economic value out of the releases of Government datasets as Open Data. Open Data is considered as the bedrock of innovation which will be the driving force of the Mauritian economy in the next few years.

Opening up datasets will go a long way towards stimulating the economy to the benefit of all economic operators, including Small and Medium Enterprises. This will also provide added benefits to allow improvements in the conduct of Government business and service delivery. Private individuals, the business community, non-governmental organisations, academia, international organisations and any other interested party will be better equipped to scrutinize the efficiency and effectiveness of Government operations.

The National Computer Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation, has organised a workshop from 25 to 27 April 2018 at Holiday Inn Resort, Mont Tresor, Plaine Magnien, for the benefits of officers forming part of the Open Data Teams set up at the level of each Ministry and Department.

The main objective of this workshop is to define the role and responsibilities of the Open Data Team with regard to the importance of Open Data for innovation and on the various practices to abide on the release of Open Government datasets.

A second workshop was held on the 27 April 2018 which focused on Data Journalism and was targeted for Journalists and Officers involved in Communication and Advisory Matters. Data journalism is the gathering, cleaning, organising, analysing, visualising and publishing data to support the creation of acts of journalism. Globally, the journalists by collaborating with civil society groups and governments are applying new digital tools to increasingly available data troves to tell stories via powerful interactive graphics.

A technical Open Data Training from 30 April 2018 to 09 May 2018 (excl. week-ends and public holiday) and from 28 to 31 May will be held at the same venue. The training is targeted to the IT Officers in governmental institutions.

Data-driven Journalism and Communication
Foundations for Open Data
Opportunities for government from Open
Launching Video