Mauritius is taking a decisive step in its bid to become Africa's financial hub. On June 25, 2026, the government officially launched its National FinTech Strategy 2026-2030 at the Côte-d'Or Technopole, with more than 200 representatives from the financial and technology sectors in attendance. The ambition is explicit: to make the island Africa's reference point for digital finance.
Six Pillars for Five Years
The strategy rests on six complementary pillars: a regulatory framework conducive to innovation, enhanced digital infrastructure with a cybersecurity component, local talent development, investment and innovation promotion, international collaboration, and financial inclusion with consumer protection.
Priority application sectors include digital payments — both public and private — open banking, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and sustainable finance. These choices are deliberate: they position Mauritius at the intersection of two major global financial transformation waves.
High-Level Governance
The strategy was jointly presented by Minister of Financial Services Jyoti Jeetun and Minister of Technology and Innovation Avinash Ramtohul — a sign of its cross-government nature. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is also involved, helping to develop a continental-scale regulatory framework. A national FinTech governance council and technical working groups will oversee implementation.
A High-Potential African Market
The logic behind the strategy is compelling: Africa still has 57% of its population unbanked, and mobile payments on the continent are growing at double-digit rates. Mauritius, with its bilingual legal system, competitive taxation, and double taxation agreements with around fifty countries, holds rare structural advantages to emerge as a regional FinTech pivot.
Why It Matters
This strategy consolidates a repositioning that Port Louis has been pursuing for several years, moving beyond its traditional role as an offshore financial jurisdiction. By integrating open banking and digital assets into a clear regulatory framework, Mauritius aims to attract FinTech startups, funds, and Africa-focused data processing centres. The Côte-d'Or Technopole — already designated a special economic zone for artificial intelligence in the 2026-2027 budget — becomes the tangible symbol of this digital ambition.
Source: Mauritian Government (press release, June 25, 2026), Maurice-Info, CapMad.