1. Could you introduce BCP Bank Mauritius and explain how it has positioned itself within the Mauritian banking sector?
BCP Bank Mauritius is a fully owned subsidiary of BCP Group, headquartered in Morocco. The group is one of the largest pan-African banking groups, listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, with a presence in more than 18 countries across Africa and the region.
Historically, the bank was more focused on retail banking, with a branch network and traditional services. Since 2018, we have undertaken a major transformation of our business model and we have repositioned ourselves as Corporate & Institutional Bank with a major focus on global business & international banking with a niche domestic business for corporates and consumer banking
What differentiates us in the market is our strong connection to North and West Africa. We focus on cross-border lending, trade finance, project finance, and selected domestic corporate banking business.
2. You are the first Mauritian woman to lead a commercial bank in the country. What does this milestone mean to you personally, and what does it represent for women in finance and leadership in Mauritius?
Interestingly, I was not aware at the time of my appointment that I would be the first woman CEO, I only realised it afterwards. I believe this is an important achievement not just for women, but for the financial services sector as a whole.
For a long time, senior leadership roles in banking were perceived as a glass ceiling, whether for women or for younger generations. This appointment sends a strong message that such positions can be accessible to local talent, to women, and to younger professionals. This is inclusion at its best.
That said, the question of gender should not even arise. Leadership roles must be based on skills, competencies, and experience. Whoever deserves the position should be appointed, gender should not be a criterion. Fortunately, Mauritius is moving in the right direction, and we now see more women and younger leaders in key positions across the financial services sector.
3. Mauritius is a growing international financial services centre. How does BCP Bank support cross-border finance, wealth management, and investment flows to strengthen this position?
Mauritius has over 30 years of experience as an international financial centre, and in recent years its focus has increasingly shifted towards Africa. This aligns perfectly with BCP Group’s DNA.
Given the group’s strong African presence, our activities are very much continent-focused. We facilitate cross-border financing, trade finance flows into Africa, and participate in infrastructure and project financing that are critical for the continent’s development. We are also actively engaged in green financing initiatives.
What adds real value is our understanding of African markets. Africa is complex, and having on-the-ground presence allows us to better assess risks and structure transactions effectively. We also support investment flows into Africa by working with funds and corporates domiciled in Mauritius that are investing on the continent.
4. Digital innovation is transforming banking globally. How is BCP Bank Mauritius leveraging technology and digital platforms to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency?
Digital transformation is a key strategic priority for BCP Group. At group level, several initiatives are already underway, supported by dedicated teams working across all entities.
Locally, we continuously improve our digital offerings to make banking more seamless for our clients. One major development is the forthcoming launch of our mobile banking application, which will represent a significant leap forward from our current platform. This is not just about keeping pace with competitors, but about delivering a superior experience to our clients.
We are also enhancing our corporate e-banking platforms and working on broader initiatives involving AI. These efforts align with the Bank of Mauritius’ “Future of Banking” roadmap, which requires close collaboration between banks, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure the right legal, policy, and technological frameworks are in place.
5. Sustainability and ESG principles are becoming central in financial services. What initiatives has BCP Bank implemented to promote responsible banking and green finance?
Our sustainability journey started many years ago. In Mauritius, our Bank financed several renewable energy projects, including wind farms and solar projects.
At the retail level, we also provide incentives to households to adopt greener solutions, whether through energy-efficient installations or electric vehicles. Sustainability is a national priority for Mauritius, and we work closely with other institutions, our group, and development finance institutions to support this agenda.
On the cross-border side, we participate in green bonds and sustainability-linked instruments. We also support green projects across Africa in collaboration with our group. In addition, the Bank of Mauritius has issued relevant guidelines related to climate change, integrating ESG indicators into our reporting, although our commitment to sustainability predates these regulations.
6. With Mauritius positioning itself as a gateway between Africa, Asia, and the Gulf, how does BCP Bank leverage its regional expertise to facilitate cross-border trade and investment?
Being part of a pan-African group gives us a significant advantage. We have deep expertise across multiple African markets and specialised finance teams at group level that support complex cross-border transactions.
For example, when structuring mergers and acquisitions or large financing deals, we can leverage group expertise to arrange club deals or syndicated transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. This is particularly attractive for investors from the UAE or Asia seeking entry into Africa through Mauritius.
Trade finance is also in BCP Group’s DNA. As a group, we have relationships with over 1,000 financial institutions globally, which enables BCP Bank (Mauritius) to leverage on and facilitate transactions across Africa, the Gulf, and beyond with greater efficiency.
7. The UAE and the wider Gulf region are important investors. What opportunities do you see for collaboration between BCP Bank and Gulf-based investors, financial institutions, or family offices?
Collaboration with Gulf-based financial institutions is already well established, particularly in trade finance and structured transactions. We work closely with banks and business communities in the UAE, especially given the importance of hubs such as Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubail Multi Commodities Centre, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
There is also significant untapped potential with family offices and private wealth. We believe Mauritius can complement the UAE by offering a platform for wealth structuring and investment into Africa, supported by BCP’s continental expertise.
Additionally, BCP has a presence in ADGM through BCP Middle East, and we are exploring ways to better connect this platform with our Mauritius operations to fully harness regional synergies.
8. What are BCP Bank Mauritius’ strategic priorities for the next five years?
Our priorities centre around expansion, expertise, and digital transformation. We aim to further grow our cross-border financing and trade finance activities, not only in countries where we already operate, but also in new African markets.
People are also critical. We must ensure we have the right skills and competencies to support this growth. Digital transformation will continue to be driven at group level, and we will benefit directly from those initiatives.
Finally, we are looking beyond traditional markets. Asia, particularly ASEAN countries, represents a strategic opportunity. Our ambition is for Mauritius to serve as a springboard for Asian investors entering Africa, with BCP Bank (Mauritius) playing a central facilitation role.
9. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about BCP Bank Mauritius’ role in supporting clients and strengthening Mauritius’ position as a regional financial hub?
BCP Bank Mauritius belongs to a very strong pan-African banking group, a market leader in Morocco and across Africa, with a clear ambition to grow and transform further. This gives our clients confidence and access to a powerful regional network.
We are a niche, highly specialised bank, not a universal one. Our strength lies in delivering tailor-made solutions through close collaboration with our clients, partners, and investors. Accessibility and proximity are part of our core values.
Above all, we are proud of our people. Our team is deeply client-centric and committed to continuous improvement. This agility allows us to listen, adapt, and place clients at the centre of everything we do, while contributing meaningfully to Mauritius’ role as a trusted financial gateway to Africa.
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