Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited in collaboration with the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hosted the inaugural edition of the Midi-Conférences on Monday, 12 May 2025, at the Caudan Arts Centre. The high-level panel discussion focused on “Africa Diversification: Positioning Mauritius as a Gateway for Trade, Investment, and Cross-Border Collaboration.”
The event brought together Mr. Rajeev Hasnah, First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius; Ms. Michelle Knowles, Managing Executive: Trade and Working Capital - Transactional Banking at Absa Group; Dr. Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General of the MCCI; Mr. Vishal Nunkoo, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Velogic; along with the senior leadership team of Absa, MCCI members, corporate clients and industry leaders.
Together, they explored the strategic role of Mauritius in Africa’s evolving economic architecture, with a focus on trade diversification, regional investment corridors, and business strategies that foster sustainable growth across the continent.
During his address, Ravin Dajee, Managing Director of Absa Mauritius, emphasised the country’s growing relevance in the region:
“Mauritius is uniquely positioned to serve as a strategic gateway to the African continent. Our stable political and macroeconomic environment, along with our geographic and legal advantages, reinforces our ability to drive trade and sustainable development. At Absa, we are committed to enabling long-term growth and value creation by championing partnerships that unlock the African continent’s potential.”
The panel discussion featured Michelle Knowles, Michelle Knowles, Managing Executive: Trade and Working Capital (Pan-Africa), Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, who provided valuable insights into how businesses can navigate the complexities of regional trade and capital flows to unlock new growth frontiers.
“Mauritius is a vital bridge between Africa and the world. As businesses expand their African strategies, platforms like today’s panel enable deeper collaboration, informed decision-making, and smarter trade execution. We remain committed to invest in our client stories through robust working capital solutions and sustainable trade finance,” said Knowles.
The event also included a networking session to foster knowledge-sharing and relationship-building among industry leaders.
Dr. Drishtysingh Ramdenee, Secretary General at the MCCI highlighted:
“The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), standing as the largest free trade area in the world by number of countries, is set to reshape intra-African trade. The MCCI has been leading over the past year with strategic initiatives on the African continent, with, for example, the Xport Accelerator programme, to support Mauritius' positioning in African markets through the AfCFTA."
The Midi-Conférences series initiated by MCCI and supported by Absa Mauritius, aims to facilitate strategic dialogue and practical collaboration on key issues shaping the future of the region. This first edition marked a significant step in advancing Mauritius’ role as a dynamic, credible, and connected partner in Africa’s journey.
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