Mauritius officially launched its National Fintech Strategy 2026-2030 on June 25, 2026, in the presence of more than 200 representatives from the financial and technology sectors. The stated ambition is clear: to make the island «Africa's trusted platform for digital finance», building on its position as Sub-Saharan Africa's leading financial centre.
Six Pillars to Structure the Transformation
The strategy is built around six pillars: (1) regulatory framework and innovation, (2) digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, (3) talent and skills development, (4) innovation, investment, and market development, (5) international collaboration and positioning, and (6) financial inclusion and consumer protection. A National Fintech Governance Council oversees implementation, supported by technical working groups.
Flagship initiatives include: the Electronic Transactions (Amendment) Bill 2026, which modernises the legal framework for digital operations; an Open Banking Framework to enable secure financial data sharing between institutions; and a high-tech Special Economic Zone at Côte-d'Or to host innovative companies.
A Partnership with the UN Economic Commission for Africa
The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is associated with the initiative — a sign of the project's institutional seriousness and its ambition to have continental reach. Mauritius also draws on its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and FAIR AI guidelines to govern the use of AI in finance.
On the energy side, Mauritius also strengthened its cooperation with India this week to accelerate its renewable energy transition — a dimension that complements the sustainability angle of this digital strategy.
Why It Matters
Mauritius has already proven its ability to attract capital through a favourable regulatory framework. By adding a structured fintech layer, the island is positioning itself to capture a growing share of Africa's digital finance flows — a market estimated at several tens of billions of dollars by 2030. The Côte-d'Or Special Economic Zone could become the «Silicon Lagoon» of the Indian Ocean, if the strategy is executed with consistency.