At first glance, Poland and Mauritius are two completely incomparable countries. Poland is a major European power with a population of almost 40 million people, with deep roots in European history and politics, and a powerful economy integrated into the structures of the European Union.

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with a population of about one and a half million people, with a history related to trade and tourism, located far from the world's main technological centers.

It would seem that it would be absurd to compare their technological sovereignty. And yet, when we begin to take a closer look at the strategies, investments, results, and ambitions of these two countries in the field of digital transformation, we discover something striking: they are at the same level in their ability to operate independently in the technological field.

It’s just that this independence is expressed in completely different ways.

Two possible responses to contemporary challenges

Sovereignty in the technological sphere means the ability of a state to make decisions in accordance with its interests, develop the economy, and protect citizens based on its technological capabilities or the free choice of partners. This does not necessarily mean complete independence from technology imports. This means having strategic freedom of action.

Poland chose one path. She recognized that she was inside the European technology ecosystem and decided to make the most of this position. The country has developed an ambitious national digitalization strategy that covers the period up to 2035.

This strategy includes developing its own cybersecurity competencies, an area in which Poland is facing unprecedented pressure and attacks amounting to 300 percent compared to previous years. The country is investing trillions in developing digital infrastructure, creating conditions for innovation, and training personnel.

Mauritius chose a different path. This island, isolated in the Indian Ocean, instead of despairing about its remote location, decided to turn it into an advantage. Mauritius has developed its own digital transformation roadmap, called Digital Mauritius 2030, which was later expanded into Blueprint for Mauritius.

The island is investing in the creation of its own digital infrastructure, in the development of high-speed Internet, and in preparing the population to work in the digital economy. Both approaches have one important similarity: both countries have recognized that technological sovereignty is not a luxury, but a necessity. Both countries have allocated significant resources to achieve it. Both countries have developed long-term strategies.

Cybersecurity as a reflection of strategic priorities It is interesting to note that both countries see cybersecurity as a key element of their sovereignty, but they approach it from different perspectives. Poland is facing constant cyber attacks, including government attacks, and therefore cybersecurity is considered a matter of national survival. The country allocates billions to create a Cyber Shield, a system for protecting critical infrastructure.

Mauritius, in its turn, took a different path. The island decided not to create a fortress of protection, but to position itself as one of the most cybersecure places in the world. Mauritius invests in developing high standards of cybersecurity not because it is constantly under attack, but because it understands that in the digital economy, if you don't have a reputation for being a safe place, you won't be able to attract investment, talent, and data.

However, both approaches lead to the same result: the creation of countries that have a high level of control over their digital environment, that can protect their citizens, and that can be reliable partners in the digital economy. Developing critical competencies in completely different contexts Another point in which these two countries show striking similarities is their understanding that technological sovereignty depends on people, not just money.

Both countries are investing in the development of human capital and in the training of specialists. Poland is facing a problem that many European countries face: a low level of digital literacy compared to the European average. The government has developed comprehensive digital skills training programs, trying to raise the level of qualifications of the population to the required level.

Mauritius, for its part, sees digital transformation as an opportunity for economic transformation. The island offers free mobile internet to young people between the ages of 18 and 25 to boost digital literacy. He develops training and retraining programs, creates incubators for startups. The difference in budget scales between these countries is incredible, and yet in their strategic focus on the development of human capital, we see a deep understanding that technology without people remains just hardware.

Strategic Vision as the Basis of Independence

Perhaps the most important aspect in which Poland and Mauritius show true similarities is that they have a clear strategic vision for many years to come. Both countries are not just responding to current events, they are developing long-term roadmaps. Poland is positioning itself as a key player in the European digital transformation by 2035. This is not just a purely technological project, it is a vision of how the state, economy, and society should function in the digital age.

Mauritius, although much smaller, has no less serious ambitions: to position the island as a digital hub at the intersection of Africa and the Indian Ocean by 2030. This vision includes not only technological infrastructure, but also creating an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Both countries understand that true sovereignty is achieved not by a single leap, but through purposeful, systematic work over many years. And both are devoting significant resources to realizing this vision.

International Cooperation as a Tool, Not an Addiction

An interesting detail: both countries actively use international cooperation, but this does not contradict their sovereignty. On the contrary, it is a tool to achieve it. Poland is integrating its strategy into the pan-European context, using the resources of the European Union and partnerships with other states to accelerate its development.

Mauritius is entering into strategic partnerships with India, the European Union, and the United Nations, using these ties for technology transfer, financing development, and training. For a small island, such cooperation becomes a multiplier of its capabilities.

Sovereignty in the modern world does not mean complete isolation. This means the ability to choose your partners, determine the conditions of interaction, and maintain control over decisions that affect the national interest.

Beyond the Obvious Differences

When we look at Poland with its 40 million inhabitants and rich resources, on the one hand, and Mauritius with its one and a half million inhabitants and limited resources, on the other hand, it is easy to assume that they cannot have anything in common in the context of technological sovereignty.

But if we look deeper, we will see that both countries demonstrate the same thing: a clear awareness that in today's world, technological sovereignty is a matter of survival and development. Both countries are investing significant resources in achieving it. Both have developed long-term strategies.

Both understand that this requires the development of human capital. Both demonstrate flexibility in using international cooperation. The difference, of course, is huge. Poland is building its sovereignty in the context of European integration, using the scale and resources of a large country.

Mauritius is building its sovereignty as a small island using its mobility, focus, and ability to adapt quickly. But the result is essentially the same: the creation of states that have enough technological independence to act in accordance with their interests in the digital age.

It's Not a Question of Numbers, but of Choice

Perhaps the most interesting conclusion from this analysis is that technological sovereignty is not a matter of numbers.

It's not a question of who has more, who has more money, who has more resources. This is a question of what choice the state makes. Two States located in completely different geographical, economic and historical contexts can achieve the same level of real independence if they have a clear vision, are willing to invest resources, and are able to respond adaptively to challenges.

Poland and Mauritius are vivid examples of how different countries, guided by their own interests and capabilities, are building their own path to technological independence. Their stories demonstrate that sovereignty cannot be borrowed or imported from outside.

This is what each state builds for itself, choosing its own path, relying on its strengths and minimizing its vulnerabilities. In this sense, Poland and Mauritius are really on the same level.

Not because they are similar to each other, but because both have come a long way to realizing that in the digital age, technological sovereignty is not a luxury, but a necessity. And both chose to act in accordance with this realization.