MBA Conference 2026
From Competitiveness to Sustainability: The Banking Imperative
Purpose
This thought leadership forum aims to highlight a banking sector that is dynamic, innovative and evolving – going beyond traditional financial structures to actively shape Mauritius’s economic, digital and sustainable future.
Wednesday
28 th January 2026
8:30 AM
4:00 PM
Caudan Arts Centre,
Port Louis
Special Guests
Dr. the Honorable Jyoti Jeetun
Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning
Honorable Dhaneshwar Damry
Junior Minister of Finance
Dr. Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor
Governor, Bank of Mauritius
About our Special Guests
Dr. the Honorable Jyoti Jeetun
Dr. Jyoti Jeetun is the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning of Mauritius, bringing over 25 years of senior leadership across investment banking, economic development and academia. Former CEO of Mont Choisy Group, she is driving the vision of Mauritius as a trusted and innovative International Financial Centre anchored in strong governance and resilience.
Honorable Dhaneshwar Damry
Honorable Dhaneshwar Damry is Junior Minister of Finance, with a background in fintech, digital economy, and entrepreneurship. A former private sector leader, he supports national fiscal policy, budget implementation and governance reforms while actively promoting transparency, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
Dr Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor
Dr Priscilla Muthoora Thakoor is the Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, with deep expertise in macroeconomic policy and financial stability. A former IMF economist with over 16 years of international experience, she is recognised for her work on fiscal policy, inclusive growth and capacity building in emerging economies.
Key Discussion Themes
Growth opportunities for the Mauritian banking sector
Competitiveness and strategic positioning
Digitalisation: what the digital bank of tomorrow looks like
Sustainable finance: the role of banks in bridging the finance and expectation gaps
Emerging opportunities and the sector’s readiness to respond
View the detailed agenda here（https://mba.mu/mba-2601-agenda/）
Meet Our Panellists
PANEL 1: The Mauritius IFC
François Gamet
Chief Executive Standard Bank (Mauritius) Limited
François Gamet is Chief Executive of Standard Bank Ltd since September 2021, with over 25 years’ experience in private equity and investment banking across the US, UK, China, Russia, and Africa. He has held senior roles within Standard Bank Group, including Head of Asia and CEO of Standard Advisory (China) Ltd.
Thierry Hebraud
CEO The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited
Thierry Hebraud is CEO of MCB Ltd since January 2024 and previously led Corporate and Institutional Banking at MCB. With 35 years of experience across Europe, Asia, and North Africa at Crédit Agricole, he is skilled in managing large teams in multicultural environments. He is currently Deputy Chairperson of the Mauritius Bankers Association.
Sangeetha Ramkelawon
CEO BCP Bank (Mauritius) Limited
Sangeetha Ramkelawon is CEO of BCP Bank Ltd, with over 20 years of global banking experience. She has held senior roles at Deutsche Bank and BPCE and serves as Vice Chairperson of Mauritius Finance and Deputy Chairperson of the Mauritius Bankers Association.
Ben Lim
CEO Intercontinental Trust Limited
Ben Lim is CEO of Intercontinental Trust Ltd and a leading figure in Mauritius’s international financial services since the 1990s. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, he focuses on inbound investment into Africa and is Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Mauritius.
MODERATOR
Daniel Essoo
CEO Mauritius Bankers Association Limited
Daniel Essoo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mauritius Bankers Association (MBA), the industry association for the Banking sector. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, in the UK and Mauritius. He currently also serves on the councils of Business Mauritius and of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Board of the SADC Banking Association, and on a number of consultative councils on Financial Services.
PANEL 2: Digitalisation
SPOKESPERSON
Abrar Anwar
CEO Standard Chartered Bank (Mauritius)
Abrar Anwar has been CEO of Standard Chartered Mauritius since April 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience in corporate and investment banking across Asia, the UK and Bangladesh. He previously served as CEO of Standard Chartered Malaysia and Bangladesh, and has held senior roles at Citibank and ANZ Grindlays. Known for his expertise in country franchise management and corporate banking, he first joined Standard Chartered in 2011 and steadily rose through the ranks. He is currently Chairperson of the Mauritius Bankers Association.
Nick Woodruff
Chief Strategy Officer Trust Bank (Singapore)
Nick Woodruff is Chief Strategy Officer at Trust Bank and a founding executive team member. With 20+ years in Europe, Africa, and Asia, he leads Trust Bank’s Generative AI strategy and drives innovation in banking through technology and data platforms.
PANELLISTS
Ramsamy Chinniah
Second Deputy Governor Bank of Mauritius
Ramsamy Chinniah is Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius and former Director of Supervision with 40+ years at the central bank. He has shaped regulatory and supervisory frameworks, AML/CFT rules, and risk-based oversight in Mauritius and Africa.
PANELLISTS
Prashant Kumar Babhale
MD & CEO SBI (Mauritius) Limited
With over 25 years of experience in banking, Mr. Prashant Kumar Babhale serves as MD and CEO of SBI Mauritius Ltd since April 2025. His career spans corporate and retail banking, international operations, trade finance, and risk management, including leadership roles at SBI Canada and in project finance. He holds a Master’s degree in Science and certifications in banking, AI, business analytics and leadership.