Jean-Pierre Young speaks about Innovation at the JCI City Plus (Mauritius) Inspire and Connect session
"At PwC Mauritius, we feel that there is potential for Mauritius to welcome global giants such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Apple, etc. Those firms now need to be incentivised to set-up campus on the island. This would bring a certain level of expertise and know-how that we might not potentially have readily available locally."
Jean-Pierre Young, Partner and Advisory Leader for PwC Mauritius, intervened at the JCI City Plus (Mauritius) Inspire and Connect session titled ‘Beyond the 2018 Budget: Economic measures concerning Youth and Innovation’.
The discussion revolved around the budgetary measures having a direct impact on youth. The speakers also discussed the new trends that are shaping the business world such as blockchain, AI, etc.
From left to right:
Jean-Pierre Young, Partner, Advisory Leader, PwC Mauritius; Vinay Guddye, Head of Logistics Sea & Air, Economic Development Board; Sen Narrainen, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance; and Pierre Dinan, Economist
Mauritius as a hub for digital services
Jean-Pierre Young, Partner and Advisory Leader for PwC Mauritius, explained that there is a need to place Mauritius on the global digital map and argued that we have to position ourselves as a prime service provider of digital services. Vinay Guddye from Economic Development Board (EDB) intervened in the same direction by sharing success stories in Africa where innovation is already happening. For example, a technology company in Rwanda has started to exploit drones for the delivery of medical supplies in areas across Africa that are prone to security threats across.
Several other aspects of digital services, such as blockchain, AI, internet banking and eLicensing were discussed. Jean-Pierre Young, who also acts as Information Security Leader for the PwC across Africa here touched upon the inherent risks that are brought about with the introduction of digital services. While digitalisation is real and already happening, cybersecurity risks and compliance with GDPR become an increasingly important consideration for organisations, whether private or public.
While all speakers were pleased to note some positive measures from the budget to address digitalisation, such as the setting up of the Mauritius Artificial Intelligence Council (MAIC), Jean-Pierre Young described the budgetary measures as ‘stepping stones or building blocks to reach bigger aspirations such as an eMauritius by 2020.’
Browse through our analysis of Budget 2018-2019
Read Jean-Pierre Young's recommendations for an eMauritius 2020.
Youth unemployment and technology
A large part of the JCI Plus (Mauritius) Inspire and Connect session was dedicated to youth unemployment. Jean-Pierre Young here led the discussion about the jobs at risk due to increasing automation across several industries. According to PwC’s Young Workers Index 2017, the average risk of job automation across OECD countries by the early 2030s is 49% for the transport industry, 44% for manufacturing, and 32% wholesale & retail trade.
All speakers shared that they envision Mauritius to become a booming technological hub for Africa and beyond, and a prerequisite to this is building a skilled workforce to exploit latest technologies. With the pace at which those sectors are developing, Jean-Pierre believes we need to ride on the wave, and be the game changer rather than just a simple spectator!
Other speakers from EDB and Ministry of Finance spoke about policy making and how their respective parastatal/government bodies were trying to create the appropriate eco-system that would be conducive to the exploitation of technology.
At PwC Mauritius, we feel that there is potential for Mauritius to welcome global giants such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle, Apple, etc. Those firms now need to be incentivised to set-up campus on the island. This would bring a certain level of expertise and know-how that we might not potentially have readily available locally.
PwC Mauritius driving innovation with technology at its heart
The Advisory Technology practice at PwC Mauritius regroups around 40 highly skilled staff under several business activities such as:
Software development;
Cybersecurity; and
Digital services
Our team help businesses to transform vision into reality. We bring together subject matter and industry experts, designers, strategists, technologists and more, to co-create solutions with you in a way that drives innovation and meets business objectives.
Whether you’re looking to deliver unique customer experiences that can help regain competitive edge, deploy new digital assets to increase efficiencies in the supply chain or drive user adoption to truly realise the value of your digital investments, we help you bring together elements of your business to drive results across your whole organisation.
From left to right:
Jean-Pierre Young, Partner, Advisory Leader, PwC Mauritius, Vinay Guddye, Head of Logistics Sea & Air, Economic Development Board, Sen Narrainen, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance and Pierre Dinan, Economist
Who is Jean-Pierre Young?
Jean-Pierre Young is a Partner and Advisory Leader for PwC Mauritius. He joined PwC in 1995. He completed his first degree in Statistics, Computing, Operation Research and Economics at University College, London, and trained as a Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) in London.
Jean-Pierre is the Global Payroll Technology Leader for PwC. In his global role, he is responsible for developing and leveraging of technology in the delivery of global payroll services across all the countries where PwC delivers managed payroll services.
Jean-Pierre also leads the Mauritius Service Delivery Centre, which currently services clients with cross border operations globally.
He is the PwC Africa Information Protection leader and is a member of the PwC Africa Risk Council. Jean-Pierre is also the Technology Consulting leader for the PwC Africa East Market Area.
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