Preparing a Strategic Framework: Aiming for a 21st Century Public Service
Mauritius is preparing for a major reform of its administration. The Ministry of Public Service is designing a Strategic Framework aimed at creating a modern, efficient, innovative, and citizen-focused public service.
In line with the Government Program 2025-2029, the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms is initiating the development of the Strategic Framework for Public Service and Administrative Reforms (SFPSAR) 2025–2029. This planning document marks a decisive step in modernizing the Mauritian public administration, with a clear ambition: to build a modern, transparent, resilient public service that is fully oriented towards the citizen.
The SFPSAR aims to align public sector reforms with national development priorities. The goal is to reposition the public service as a central lever for growth, equity, and social cohesion, capable of supporting the country’s economic and institutional transformation.
In a circular addressed to the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Suresh Chundre Seeballuck, this week, the Senior Chief Executive of the ministry, Dr. Dhanandjay Kawol, specified that the chosen approach is based on the whole-of-government philosophy. In other words, it emphasizes increased coordination among ministries and public institutions to strengthen policy coherence and improve service quality.
"The aim now is to build an administration that anticipates, innovates, and acts as a true partner to the citizen," stated Dr. Dhanandjay Kawol. This integrated vision is intended to eliminate redundancies, streamline administrative processes, and maximize the added value of public action.
The Strategic Framework is built around four interdependent pillars: administrative reforms and innovation, strengthening human capacities, digital transformation, and the development of public service policies and strategies.
The first pillar, focused on administrative reform and innovation, marks a break from traditional bureaucracy. It advocates for a performance-oriented administration with an emphasis on results and service quality. Simplifying procedures and modernizing governance structures are among the immediate priorities.
The second pillar, dedicated to capacity development, emphasizes continuous training, skill enhancement, and staff motivation. The success of the reforms indeed depends on a competent, engaged, and change-oriented civil service.
The third pillar, focused on digitization, is at the heart of the project. In alignment with the Digital Transformation Blueprint 2025-2029, it plans the creation of an integrated public data ecosystem, the dematerialization of processes, and the gradual introduction of artificial intelligence solutions. This digitization aims to accelerate processing times, enhance transparency, and provide more accessible, responsive, and efficient public services. Ultimately, the Mauritian administration aspires to become "digital-first," meaning connected, predictive, and centered on the real needs of citizens.
Finally, the fourth pillar focuses on strengthening the legal and institutional framework. A framework law on public sector reform will soon be introduced to ensure the sustainability and coherence of the transformations undertaken.
Measuring Performance and Accountability
To monitor progress, Mauritius will adopt a Public Service Performance Index, inspired by the Public Service Delivery Index (PSDI) launched by the African Development Bank in May 2025. This tool will measure the effectiveness of public services through concrete indicators centered on results, service quality, and citizen satisfaction.
By relying on reliable data and feedback, this index will establish a culture of evaluation and continuous improvement while promoting accountability at all levels of the administrative hierarchy.
Aware that the success of this transformation relies on collective ownership, the ministry adopts an open and participatory approach. A National Discussion Forum will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, bringing together representatives from the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society. Contributions gathered during this meeting will be integrated into the final version of the Strategic Framework.
The ministry also commits to maintaining a permanent and transparent dialogue throughout the implementation of the SFPSAR. This aims to ensure that the reforms remain aligned with public expectations and the development needs of the country.
The Strategic Framework for Public Service and Administrative Reforms 2025–2029 is thus intended to be much more than just a public policy document. It represents a roadmap for redefining the Mauritian administrative culture.
By placing innovation, competence, and accountability at the heart of its actions, the public service aims to reinvent itself. It seeks to become a true partner in sustainable development and a vector of trust between the state and citizens. This ambitious yet necessary transformation reflects the government’s commitment to making the Mauritian administration a model of performance and public service in the 21st century.