In the dynamic landscape of Mauritius' economy, Absa Mauritius stands as a pivotal partner for businesses seeking to expand both locally and across African markets. Aslam Taher, Head of Wholesale Banking; Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), discusses how Absa Mauritius' tailored financial solutions and strategic insights empower local businesses to navigate growth opportunities and overcome challenges in today's competitive environment.
Q1: The local industry, which plays a significant role in the country's economic growth, needs funding to achieve this. How does your institution support local businesses in their activities?
Absa Mauritius is invested in the stories of our local businesses. We understand that every client has unique needs, which is why we offer a comprehensive suite of financial solutions within our Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) division.
We act as long-term partners, supporting businesses on their growth journey. We also support our clients looking to expand into Africa, where Absa has deep market knowledge and on-the-ground presence. This unique position enables us to offer insights and solutions that truly make a difference in navigating the complexities of the African market.
In addition, Absa’s dedicated research desk provides fundamentals-based macro and market strategy insights on over a dozen sub-Saharan African markets. Backed by a top-rated team of analysts, the research covers economic trends, capital markets, industry sectors, and risk analysis, equipping clients with data-driven intelligence to make informed investment and business decisions both locally and across the continent.
Locally, we continue to support businesses with tailored financial solutions, enabling their growth and market expansion.
- The recent IPO of a major player in the TMT sector on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius demonstrates our dedication to driving meaningful collaboration. As Lead Transaction Advisor, we successfully navigated the complexities of the listing, reinforcing our position as a trusted capital markets partner.
- Absa Mauritius had the privilege of acting as the sole Corporate Finance Advisor to a client in the real estate sector, successfully assisting them in raising over MUR 3bn through their notes issuance in the local capital markets. This is one of the largest local currency capital raises ever in Mauritius, marking a significant milestone, particularly in the real estate sector.
These initiatives not only fuel the ambitions of local enterprises but also contribute to the broader development of Mauritius’s financial markets.
With tailored financial solutions, expert guidance, and a commitment to fostering economic growth, Absa Mauritius empowers businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
At Absa Mauritius, we also go beyond banking by empowering communities through initiatives like the Absa Women Forward Programme, supporting women entrepreneurs, equipping them with AI-driven tools, hands-on training, and personalised coaching to accelerate business growth. By fostering innovation, sustainability, and digital skills, we help entrepreneurs thrive in a dynamic marketplace while driving broader economic and social impact.
Q2: What about the contribution of digital tools such as online platforms, mobile applications, or artificial intelligence in your offerings? Has it become a necessity to offer cutting-edge digital solutions for businesses?
Digital transformation is at the core of our strategic ambitions, alongside CX transformation, ESG, and people. In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, Absa Mauritius continues to lead the way in financial innovation, ensuring businesses stay ahead in an increasingly tech-driven world. The bank’s commitment to cutting-edge digital solutions has been recognised at the Middle East & Africa Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024, where Absa Mauritius was honoured for Excellence in Digital Innovation.
With platforms like Absa Access Online and Trade Management Online (TMO), Absa empowers businesses with real-time portfolio analysis, personalised insights, and seamless trade finance management. These solutions enhance operational efficiency, decision-making, and overall client experience, transforming digital banking from a convenience into a necessity.
The global digital transformation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, driven by the rapid adoption of advanced technologies. According to DataReportal’s latest insights, this trend is reshaping industries worldwide.
Recognising this digital imperative, Absa Mauritius has introduced a fully online onboarding platform for both onshore and offshore clients, streamlining processes and reducing paperwork. This digital-first approach ensures that businesses benefit from secure, efficient, and future-ready financial solutions—reinforcing Absa’s leadership in shaping the future of banking.
Q3: What are the main financing solutions offered to businesses, and how are they relevant in the current economic context?
In today’s dynamic economic environment, businesses face unprecedented challenges, from market volatility and climate risks to the growing demand for sustainable practices. To thrive in this context, companies need innovative and adaptable financing solutions that not only address immediate financial needs but also align with long-term sustainability goals.
At Absa Mauritius, we offer a comprehensive suite of financing solutions designed to empower businesses in navigating these complexities. Absa Mauritius CIB encompasses Corporate Banking, Investment Banking, Global Markets, and Investor Services (Custody Solutions).
Our core Corporate Banking financing solutions include:
- Working Capital Financing – Short-term loans, overdrafts, and trade finance to support daily operations.
- Term Loans & Asset Finance – Funding for capital expenditures, expansion, and business growth.
- Structured Finance & Syndicated Loans – Tailored solutions for large-scale funding needs.
- Sustainable financing - Absa Mauritius has established a dedicated Sustainable Finance team working closely with our CIB division to drive sustainable development finance in Mauritius and across Africa. We also invest significantly in capacity building across the bank to ensure sustainability is well knitted into the fabric of our day-to-day decision-making process. Absa has a sustainable finance framework in place, which guides the evaluation of loans and investments in accordance with international best practices and guidance issued by bodies such the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) and Loan Market Association (LMA).
- Our Global Markets business offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to manage our clients’ financial and investment needs - forex Solutions, Investment Solutions, Structured products, Hedging Solutions and government Instruments.
- Absa’s Investment Banking division provides a full suite of capital markets and advisory services, including Equity Capital Markets (ECM) and Debt Capital Markets (DCM), to support businesses, governments, and institutional clients locally and across Africa.
By combining expertise in traditional and sustainable financing, Absa Mauritius ensures businesses have access to the resources, strategic insights, and long-term support necessary to grow responsibly and successfully. Our solutions are not just about meeting today’s needs but also about building a sustainable and prosperous future for businesses and the communities they serve.
Q4. How do you plan to continue innovating to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurs and large companies?
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies require more than just financial solutions—they need a banking partner that supports digitisation, streamlined processes, insights into market trends, and the ability to navigate the complexities of the African continent. Absa Mauritius is part of a Pan-African Group which continues to innovate by integrating digital transformation, customer experience enhancement, and a strong people-focused culture into its strategic roadmap. By blending cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of business needs, Absa ensures that entrepreneurs and large companies have the tools, insights, and talents necessary to thrive in an evolving financial landscape.
Absa is also committed to accompanying our clients on their journey across the continent, leveraging our on-the-ground presence across Africa, deep sector expertise, and tailored financial solutions to unlock growth opportunities in Africa’s dynamic markets.
Absa Mauritius is positioning itself as a strategic partner by providing clients with access to key regional and international leaders, equipping them with insights to make informed decisions.
A prime example of this was the recent launch of the Sustainable Trade Finance Facility, which is about goods and services which either lead towards a larger Green or social project or involve goods and services which are themselves environmentally sustainable. Absa sees significant opportunities in trade finance to drive a low-carbon economy and support Mauritius in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The expectation is that incentivizing sustainable trade will also create further stimulus for long-term green projects.
Absa Mauritius has recently been certified as a Top Employer 2025 by the Top Employers Institute (TEI), marking our debut on this prestigious list. This achievement underscores our commitment to building a future-fit, diverse, and empowered workforce, reinforcing Absa’s purpose of Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together.
By fostering a culture of belonging, excellence, and innovation, we equip our people with the skills and mindset to anticipate and respond to the evolving needs of entrepreneurs and large businesses in a rapidly changing world.
Through a proactive and innovative approach, Absa remains a trusted partner, ensuring that businesses can adapt, grow, and remain resilient in a constantly evolving economic environment.
