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Awards won by the MRIC
Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB) 2025
The MRIC was named Winner of the Startup Research and Development Initiative of the Year Award at the Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Summit and Awards (ASEB) 2025, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — shared with Timbuktoo Unipod Uganda. The award, presented at the ASEB 2025 Gala Dinner, recognises MRIC's exceptional contribution to bridging the gap between research and commercialisation — transforming scientific innovation into tangible products and enterprises that benefit both Mauritius and the African continent at large.
Since its establishment in September 2019, MRIC has grown into the national apex body for research, innovation, and R&D for Mauritius — advising government, managing comprehensive grant schemes from proof-of-concept to commercialisation, and building pioneering international collaborations across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Through flagship programmes such as the National SME Incubator Scheme (NSIS), the Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme, and robust intellectual property support mechanisms, MRIC has created a coordinated pathway that takes innovators from concept to market-ready product — with structured support at every stage of the journey.
This award affirms what Mauritius has long demonstrated: that small island nations can punch above their weight in the global innovation economy. ASEB 2025 received more than 2,600 nominations from 52 countries — a testament to the breadth and depth of Africa's innovation movement. The summit also marked the official launch of the ASEB Society, a permanent continental body dedicated to making ecosystem building a recognised, sustainable, and respected profession across Africa.
This award belongs to every researcher supported, every startup nurtured, and every innovator who believed that knowledge could be transformed into lasting economic value. MRIC is not just funding research, it is building the systems that transform African knowledge into African wealth.
Public Service Excellence Awards (PSEA) 2025
The MRIC was honoured with the Gold Award in the Parastatal Bodies category at the PSEA 2025, recognising its efforts in promoting grassroots innovation and developing mechanisms to address national challenges.
Held under the theme “Delivering Results and Building Trust through an Innovative, Sustainable and People-Centric Public Service,” the PSEA 2025 celebrates outstanding performance, innovative practices and operational excellence across the public sector. The awards are organised by the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms.
The award ceremony was held on 22 May 2026 at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, Côte d’Or Technopole, Réduit, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool, and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, Mr Lutchmanah Raj Pentiah.
MRIC participated in the PSEA 2025 under the best practice “Development of Grassroots Innovation Mechanism for Solving National Issues.” The submission showcased MRIC’s work in creating platforms that identify, support and promote innovative solutions to challenges faced by the country, with particular emphasis on the 3rd edition of the National Innovation Challenge and the Regional Innovation Challenge.
The MRIC team was led by Mr Koushul Narrain, with Ms Siddhee Bhojoo and Mr Yogeshwar Gajadur as core members.
Following the initial assessment, the team was retained on 13 March 2026 for further evaluation and was invited to present the initiative before the Jury Panel. This recognition highlights MRIC’s continued commitment to fostering innovation, engaging communities and supporting the development of practical solutions to national challenges, while contributing to a more innovative and people-centric public service.
By Dr. V Bissonauth and Mr. K Narrain
