The Focal Points meeting for the Africa and Mediterranean region was held in Mauritius from 19 – 21 May 2011. Sir John Daniel and Prof Asha Kanwar gave the general background on COL and its programme before Dr Abdurrahman Umar and Alison Mead Richardson organised discussions on the Education and Livelihoods and Health sectors respectively. During his opening address, Dr the Hon. Minister Rajesh Jeetah, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology gave the background to the economic and social development of Mauritius since Independence and linked their remarkable growth to the provision of free basic education.