Featured in the September edition of Mauritius Finance, Issa Soormally, MauBank’s Officer-in-Charge, shares his perspective on what will shape Mauritius’ competitiveness as an international financial centre. He discusses how MauBank is supporting businesses pursuing opportunities across Africa, strengthening cross-border banking and responding to the evolving expectations of global investors.

Discover how MauBank is combining trade finance, correspondent banking and digital capabilities to help businesses navigate cross-border opportunities, and what it will take for Mauritius to remain an attractive gateway for trade and investment in Africa.

1. MauBank has a strong legacy of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) domestically. How is MauBank helping ambitious Mauritian and regional enterprises scale their operations and tap into cross-border trade opportunities across the African continent?

MauBank supports businesses looking to capture opportunities beyond domestic borders by combining financing, advisory expertise and transactional banking capabilities to help enterprises scale with confidence across the continent.

For businesses entering new markets, our comprehensive suite of trade finance solutions includes Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, documentary collections, import financing and working capital facilities. These solutions help businesses manage liquidity requirements, strengthen cash flow and mitigate transaction risks.
Beyond financing, MauBank adopts a segmented approach across SME, Business, Corporate and International Banking. This enables us to provide tailored support aligned with each client’s growth stage, sector and international ambitions, and to accompany businesses throughout their expansion journey rather than simply financing individual transactions.

Our strengthened correspondent banking relationships, together with enhanced foreign exchange and international payment capabilities, help facilitate smoother and more efficient cross-border transactions. These capabilities are increasingly important as regional trade flows grow and businesses seek reliable banking partners with regional reach.

Digital transformation also plays a critical role. Through ongoing investments in transactional banking technology, digital channels and international payment solutions, we are helping clients conduct business across borders with greater speed, transparency and operational efficiency.

Ultimately, our objective is to help Mauritian and regional enterprises integrate into larger regional value chains, unlock new markets and contribute to the broader economic integration of Africa. By combining financing, advisory support and transactional expertise, MauBank continues to position itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking sustainable regional growth.

2. How is MauBank leveraging its recent advancements in digital banking and transactional technology to streamline cross-border payments, making international trade more accessible and efficient for corporate clients?

International trade depends on the ability to move funds across borders quickly, securely and predictably. At MauBank, our recent investments in transactional banking infrastructure focus on reducing friction in cross-border payments and helping businesses transact more efficiently with suppliers, partners and customers worldwide.

A key part of this work is the continuous enhancement of our correspondent banking network. The addition of Standard Chartered Bank as an additional correspondent for U.S. dollar clearing increases routing flexibility and strengthens payment processing capacity. For corporate clients, this means greater reliability when executing USD-denominated transactions, less dependence on a single payment channel and more efficient settlement of international trade obligations.

We have also invested significantly in the quality and reliability of our cross-border payment processes. By aligning our payment messaging with ISO 20022 standards and strengthening internal validation controls, we have enhanced the accuracy and consistency of transaction data. This supports faster settlement of international payments, improved liquidity management and greater certainty for businesses engaged in global trade.

Our focus on operational excellence was recognised by J.P. Morgan in 2025, when MauBank achieved a Straight-Through Processing (STP) rate of 99.59%. In practical terms, this means payments are executed with greater accuracy, helping businesses manage cash flows, supplier payments and international commitments more effectively.

These payment capabilities are complemented by our trade finance solutions, including Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees and foreign currency financing. They provide clients with the financial tools to manage risk and working capital across international markets.

Looking ahead, MauBank is accelerating its digital transformation through the modernisation of its internet banking platforms, the development of new digital channels for businesses and the integration of automation-driven solutions to simplify onboarding and transaction processing.

Our ambition extends beyond improving the customer experience locally. We are building an omnichannel banking ecosystem that enables clients to access and manage their banking relationships anytime, anywhere, while supporting the needs of increasingly international and mobile businesses. As a state-owned bank, we also see digital innovation as a strategic lever to strengthen the competitiveness of the Mauritian International Financial Centre. By aligning our capabilities with evolving global banking standards and client expectations, we are contributing to a more connected, efficient and digitally enabled financial ecosystem that supports trade, investment and cross-border economic activity.

3. Looking at the evolution of the banking sector over the next three to five years, what core capabilities must Mauritian banks prioritise to ensure the Mauritius International Financial Centre (IFC) remains highly competitive, secure, and attractive to global investors?

One key priority will be the continued digitalisation of banking and financial services. International investors increasingly expect seamless onboarding, faster transaction processing, real-time visibility and frictionless cross-border banking experiences. Institutions that combine speed and efficiency with strong compliance standards will be better positioned to attract global business.

The sector must also continue to broaden and deepen its product offering. Beyond traditional banking, demand is growing for wealth management solutions, custody services, structured finance, treasury products and investment vehicles that support increasingly complex international transactions and investment structures. I welcome the 2026/27 Government Budget announcement to make Mauritius a hub for wealth management and family offices, as well as the introduction of regulatory rules for investment in stablecoins and the tokenisation of real-world assets.

Equally important is maintaining the highest standards of governance, regulatory compliance and cybersecurity. In an environment of heightened scrutiny, trust remains one of Mauritius’ strongest competitive advantages. Preserving that reputation is essential to attracting long-term international capital.

Mauritius must also continue strengthening its position as a gateway to Africa. By leveraging its stable regulatory environment, strong legal framework and international connectivity, the IFC can play a greater role in facilitating trade, investment and capital flows into high-growth African markets.

Ultimately, the future success of the Mauritius IFC will depend on its ability to combine innovation, talent, regulatory credibility and regional relevance. Banks have a critical role to play in developing these capabilities and ensuring Mauritius remains an attractive platform for global investors seeking opportunities across Africa and beyond.

Discover how MauBank is combining trade finance, correspondent banking and digital capabilities to help businesses navigate cross-border opportunities, and what it will take for Mauritius to remain an attractive gateway for trade and investment in Africa.

Read the full feature in the September edition of Mauritius Finance magazine on its website: Magazines – Mauritius Finance