The recent Club of Executives’ Autumn Forum, organized by MCB Consulting in collaboration with the Club of Executives of Banks and Credit Institutions in Africa at the Caudan Arts Centre, focused on the theme of “Accelerating the Emergence of Pan-African Banking Champions.”
Jean Michel Félix, CEO of MCB Consulting, set the tone by urging participants to unite their efforts for a common mission: “creating a stronger and more prosperous future for the African continent.” He underlined : ” we have more than 30 bankers hailing from 14 different countries – what better way to nurture Pan-African banking champions while staying true to today’s themes? Together, we can and, in fact, must forge a stronger and more prosperous future for the African continent. From my perspective, this is only achievable through a partnership grounded in our respective strengths and genuine mutual trust, echoing the well-known African proverb: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,’ as underscored.”
Alain Le Noir, the co-founder of the Club, highlighted the innovative nature of Mauritius in the banking sector, stating, “It is a miracle that the Club still exists in Africa, given that the operating conditions of French-speaking Africa were entirely different in the past.” He also mentioned the shift towards internal resource utilization over foreign expertise.
According to Jean Michel Ng Tseung, the CEO of the MCB Group, this conference was indeed “a perfect illustration of the fraternal solidarity of the African continent.” He continued by reaffirming the voluntary commitment of all participants to implement ideas and viewpoints that define the financial sector in the region. Jean Michel Ng Tseung described the attendees as drivers of change, opportunity creators, and custodians of the vision whose role is to stimulate innovation, contribute to the economic growth of the continent, and address fundamental challenges such as infrastructure development, financial inclusion, and digital transition. This is a challenge that the MCB Group has also undertaken. “We aspire to participate, to the extent of our financial capabilities, in the energy transition in Africa and support development financing institutions and all other local and international investors in their development strategies on the continent,” he emphasized.
Jean-Paul Mergeai, President of International Sales at Temenos, discussed the latest technological trends and challenges in IT transformation, emphasizing the rise of integrated finance. He stated, “Today, technological innovation and evolving customer needs have given rise to what is called integrated finance, where financial services are directly integrated into applications and platforms. Banks aim to play a significant role in evolving business models to stay connected with consumers.” He further highlighted the significance of cloud technology in the financial sector.
Jean-Michel Félix delved into the importance of qualified and competent human capital, considering technological advancements, generational differences, and the need to establish a clear value proposition for the banking sector.
Patrick Roussel, President of Orange Bank Africa, discussed the disruptive nature of Orange Bank Africa for the African continent and its implications for the market. He emphasized the role of digitalization in creating a more inclusive and efficient banking world.
Drudeisha Madhub, Commissioner for Data Protection in Mauritius, shared insights into technological advancements aimed at enhancing the efficiency and scope of banking services, while emphasizing the importance of data protection. She stated, “Mauritius is well-positioned in terms of data protection and cybersecurity due to robust regulations, including the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act, aligning with the Budapest Convention.”
Thierno Sy, CEO of Nourou Financial, raised a crucial question regarding the need for African banks to reconsider universal banking models. He discussed the advantages and disadvantages of universal banking and its role in financing essential projects in Africa.
Amédée Darga, President of the Club of Business Mauritius-Africa Facilitator, provided valuable perspectives on lessons to support the growth of Pan-African banking institutions.
Jonas Siliadin, Advisor at the Think Tank of the Club of Bank Executives, explored strategies for enhancing operational efficiency in terms of skills, data, processes, and management.