The 2nd FinWise Annual Investment Summit, held on 22 July 2025, at the Intercontinental Hotel Mauritius, Balaclava, successfully concluded, uniting high-caliber investment professionals from both domestic and global business. This exclusive gathering, themed “In the Pursuit of Growth,” ignited vibrant discussions and strategic networking, shedding light on innovative approaches shaping the future of global investment.
The event brought together 130 senior investment leaders—including asset allocators, wealth managers, pension fund trustees, family office principals, and regulated investment professionals—participated. The program equipped attendees with expert market intelligence, featuring insights from leading investment houses closely connected to the Mauritius International Financial Center (IFC).
“Today’s presentations reaffirmed the importance of diversified allocation across different managers, geographies and investment styles. In addition to adopting a broad-based approach to investing such a ‘fund of funds’ approach, one may include enhanced passive investing in efficient markets like the US and Europe, alongside active management in emerging markets and select market segments. At FinWise, our mission is to drive prosperity and financial inclusion across Africa by fostering a spirit of “coopetition”—encouraging collaboration, not just competition, among industry players. We bring together asset managers, banks, and fiduciaries to share best practices, elevate standards, and expand access to investment opportunities for all. By connecting experts, supporting financial education, and bridging gaps between markets and investors, FinWise empowers individuals and communities to build wealth, participate confidently in economic growth, and shape a more inclusive, vibrant financial future for the continent.” – Rajiv Lutchmiah, Founder of FinWise and Organiser of the Summit.
Mauritius, a sophisticated investment destination
A strong testament to Mauritius’s growing prominence as a global financial hub and its commitment to fostering robust investment dialogue was evident throughout the Summit.
“Gavekal Wealth Mauritius, as the successor company to IPRO and active in Mauritius since 1992, is incredibly proud to have sponsored the FinWise Investment Summit,” said Philippe Koch, Chief Investment Officer at Gavekal Wealth . He went onto add, “Gavekal Capital chose Mauritius as its global hub outside the US, a testament to our country’s growing reputation as a sophisticated investment destination. We manage in excess of $600 million for wealth management here, and we firmly believe that investment is not only a science but also an art. This conference, excellently organized by Rajiv and Sonia Lutchmiah, was a fantastic opportunity to connect with both familiar and new faces, reinforcing our commitment to both international and local clients through our diverse offerings.”
Adarsh Juwaheer, Senior Fund Manager from MCB Capital Markets emphasised the importance of strategic diversification in today’s volatile markets. “At MCB Investment Management, we believe that robust, long-term portfolio performance is built on thoughtful diversification across asset classes, geographies, and currencies,” said Adarsh. “In a world shaped by de-globalisation, digital transformation, and shifting demographics, it’s about continuously evolving our strategies while maintaining core principles of quality and consistency. Our aim is to provide stable, risk-adjusted returns which compound over time, ensuring our clients’ investments grow effectively against inflation.”
Navigating market cycles to foster growth
Édouard Taieb-Duymedjian, Chief Investment Officer, Necker Finance (Switzerland) highlighted their unique, quantitative approach to navigating market cycles. “Markets are incredibly tough to predict, and that’s precisely why our strategy for the Avedis US Equity Strategy fund focuses on capital appreciation while diminishing volatility and tail risk through rigorous, algorithm-driven trend following,” commented Edouard TD “Our goal isn’t just to capture bull markets, but critically, to avoid significant bear markets. This approach has historically delivered higher returns with significantly lower volatility and drawdowns than the broader market, offering long-term investors a robust way to stay invested while mitigating major risks. It’s about respecting the market’s trend and diligently applying our model to protect our clients’ capital.”
Ajay Tyagi, Head of Equities at UTI Asset Management , underscored India’s compelling economic trajectory and UTI’s enduring investment philosophy. “India’s journey since 1991 has been one of consistent, steady growth, driven by unleashed market forces and a significant demographic advantage with a young, educated workforce,” Tyagi stated. “Our approach at UTI, as the oldest asset manager in India, is to identify quality, growth-oriented businesses that are poised to benefit from this structural expansion. We are long-term, patient investors, focusing on businesses that generate economic value, rather than short-term market mispricing, to ensure sustained compounding for our clients. It’s crucial for investment professionals to choose a methodology and, more importantly, stick to it during periods of stress. Our experience shows that consistency across cycles ultimately leads to significant outperformance over the long run.”
The Summit underscored Mauritius’s strategic position as a gateway for investment into Africa and its growing role in the international financial community. Discussions delved into critical trends, evolving challenges, and new opportunities, emphasizing the pursuit of sustainable growth in dynamic global markets.
About FinWise
FinWise is a pan-African, trusted, content-led platform dedicated to supporting smarter capital allocation through strategic publications and events that connect regulated and professional investors across the continent. Founded by Rajiv Lutchmiah, our mission is simple: being the voice of African financial markets and helping them grow together by providing a unified, independent platform where fund managers, institutional investors, and financial professionals can share insights, build trust across borders, and enhance capital flows. FinWise delivers institutional-grade content through its flagship FinWise Exchange Magazine, FinWise Chronicle newsletter, exclusive FinWise Connect events, and its annual investment summit, all designed to offer in-depth analysis of investment strategies, market trends, and cross-border opportunities while promoting financial literacy and broadening inclusion across Africa’s financial landscape. Our platform stands on two pillars—independence and inclusivity—blending on-the-ground knowledge of African markets with the hard-won experience of home-grown champions and carefully chosen global perspectives, creating a comprehensive resource for sophisticated investors seeking actionable intelligence and meaningful connections in Africa’s evolving capital markets. More information about FinWise is available at www.finwise.mu
