Sustainability is often discussed through ambitious targets, long-term commitments and environmental figures. At MCB Group, the latest Sustainability Report tells a more tangible story: one that can be seen in solar panels installed on rooftops, electric vehicles on the road, locally grown produce reaching the market and communities benefiting from greater access to finance.
Released on 4 November 2026, the report reflects a year of initiatives aimed at supporting a more sustainable and inclusive economy. With the ocean serving as its central theme, it also brings together the Group’s environmental, social and economic commitments, illustrating how finance can help turn responsible ambitions into practical outcomes. The report opens with a collection of artwork by Mauritian and regional artists, placing the Indian Ocean at the heart of the narrative. Beyond the figures, it presents a picture of sustainability shaped by people, businesses and communities, and by the everyday decisions that contribute to long-term progress.
Sustainable finance delivering tangible results
One of the most significant developments highlighted in the report is the growth of MCB Group’s sustainable finance portfolio. Launched in 2023 with an initial allocation of Rs 10 billion, the facility was fully utilised ahead of schedule, having supported more than 200 projects. It has since been increased to Rs 25 billion, reflecting growing demand for financing that supports environmental responsibility and sustainable economic activity.
The impact is already visible across several sectors. Financing has supported 1,809 electric and hybrid vehicles, alongside the installation of 21.5 MW of solar capacity. This includes 7 MWp of solar installations on the rooftops of the Mauritius Freeport at Mer Rouge.
The portfolio has also supported a commercial-scale fresh mushroom production project in Mauritius, helping reduce reliance on imports, as well as the launch of a recycling facility capable of processing up to 100 tonnes of glass annually. These initiatives illustrate how sustainable finance can extend beyond environmental considerations to address broader economic priorities, including local production, resource efficiency and the transition towards cleaner energy.
Jean Michel Ng Tseung, Chief Executive of MCB Group, reflected on the principles guiding this approach: “The past year has strengthened a conviction that lies at the heart of our strategy: our long-term success will depend on our ability to anticipate change with determination, act as one Group and remain true to our purpose,” said Jean Michel Ng Tseung, Chief Executive of MCB Group. Success Beyond Numbers, c’est cela : making finance a positive force for our clients and our communities.”
Putting people at the heart of progress
While environmental investments form an important part of the report, MCB Group’s sustainability agenda also places considerable emphasis on people and communities. During the year, more than Rs 130 million was invested in over 60 organisations, benefiting more than 90,000 people. Employee participation in community initiatives also increased, with 454 employees taking social leave to contribute their time, compared with 357 in the previous year.
The Group’s cultural initiatives continued through the Blue Penny Museum, founded by MCB in 2001. During the reporting period, the museum welcomed 28,600 visitors and organised Artizan Lamer, an exhibition dedicated to artisanal fishers that brought more than 200 young people into its workshops. It also digitised 98% of its collection and offered free admission on Saturdays throughout June 2026.
The museum remains the only place in the world where the two original, unobliterated 1847 Blue Penny and Red Penny stamps can be seen together. Within the organisation, investment in employees and workplace development remained a priority. MCB renewed its Great Place to Work® certification for the second consecutive year, while participation in its employee engagement survey rose to 90%, up from 83% previously.
The Group also maintained its EQUAL-SALARY certification, which MCB was the first bank in Africa to obtain. A further Rs 114.7 million was invested in employee training, and 270 employees received support to obtain professional certifications, compared with 124 in the preceding year. Launched in June 2026, the new employer brand, Beyond, reflects the Group’s ambition to create an environment in which employees can continue to learn, develop their capabilities and progress in their careers.
Supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening local businesses
Access to finance remains a significant challenge for many small business owners, particularly those who lack collateral or an established banking history. Through MCB Microfinance, the Group has been working to address this gap in Mauritius since 2016 and in Rodrigues since 2017.
Over the past decade, the initiative has supported 4,339 micro-entrepreneurs and provided 9,321 loans, including 1,002 in Rodrigues. More than Rs 2.1 billion has been disbursed, with women accounting for approximately 41% of the loans. Beyond financing, beneficiaries receive personalised follow-up support and an introduction to business management, helping them strengthen their capacity to manage and develop their enterprises. Support for businesses also extends to the wider small and medium-sized enterprise sector. Outstanding credit to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises reached Rs 14.4 billion, representing growth of approximately 10.4%.
Through the Lokal is Beautiful programme, launched in 2019, MCB has mobilised Rs 452.8 million to support businesses involved in local production, innovation and manufacturing. One notable development has been the support that enabled O-Formulation to acquire Esprit Vert, the country’s largest greenhouse vegetable producer. The acquisition strengthens local agricultural production and contributes to food security. Innovation also remains part of the Group’s support for emerging businesses. Through Punch by MCB, delivered in partnership with La Plage Factory, 13 founders were selected from 42 applications.
Extending sustainable finance across Africa
MCB Group’s sustainability ambitions also reach beyond Mauritius, reflecting the importance of regional cooperation in addressing climate change and supporting economic development.
In April 2026, the Group announced a USD 100 million, ten-year facility arranged by Proparco alongside DEG and FMO. The facility is intended to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation projects across Africa. The Group also launched a USD 1 billion facility to support regional trade, strengthening its commitment to economic connections across African markets.
Investment in nature forms another part of this approach. In June 2026, MCB joined the LCF4 fund, which has a total value of €150 million, with a commitment of €3 million. The fund supports the restoration of forests, mangroves and agricultural soils, with more than 500,000 beneficiaries targeted across rural communities. An initiative supported by the preceding fund, LCF3, aims to help 11,000 cocoa-producing households in Ghana become more resilient to the effects of climate change.
The ocean at the centre of a sustainable future
For Mauritius, the ocean is far more than a defining feature of its geography. It is a source of livelihoods, a foundation of economic opportunity and an essential part of the country’s natural heritage. This makes the development of the blue economy an important area of focus in MCB Group’s sustainability strategy.
In 2026, the Group established a new partnership with the Odysseo Marine Foundation, contributing Rs 2 million towards the Ocean Restoration Economic Centre. The initiative aims to support the development of Mauritius’ blue economy and includes plans for an incubator dedicated to blue-economy start-ups.
The University of Mauritius and Odysseo marine station, launched in January 2026, also provides a space for researchers to pursue marine research. In addition, MCB commissioned a study examining the potential of the blue economy and supported a conference with the Charles Telfair Centre that brought together around 100 decision-makers to discuss financing the future of the western Indian Ocean.
Environmental awareness and conservation initiatives complement these efforts. The educational caravan Bis Lamer, supported in partnership with REEF Conservation, reached 13,073 people during the year, compared with 10,436 in the previous reporting period. In Rodrigues, coral fragments were replanted in collaboration with Shoals Rodrigues. Young people were also engaged through Deba Klima, a climate debate competition conducted in Kreol Morisien and open to secondary school students. Fifteen debates were broadcast on national television, generating 4.4 million impressions. By combining research, education, conservation and support for emerging businesses, these initiatives seek to strengthen awareness of the ocean’s importance while encouraging the development of economic activities that respect and protect marine resources.
Vanessa Doger de Spéville, Head of Sustainability, Reputation and Engagement at MCB Group, highlighted the importance of remaining close to customers and understanding their realities: “Making a difference means staying close to our clients, understanding their reality, and seeing how financing can help them invest and move forward in a responsible way. Progress will not always be linear. We prefer to be open about this and continue taking action alongside our clients, partners, and communities,” says Vanessa.
A broader view of sustainable growth
The Sustainability Report 2026 presents sustainability as an ongoing process rather than a destination. Its initiatives span renewable energy, waste management, local food production, entrepreneurship, employee development, community investment and the protection of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
The figures provide a measure of progress, but the initiatives behind them reveal a broader ambition: to make finance relevant to the challenges faced by businesses, individuals and communities. For Mauritius, this means supporting the transition towards cleaner energy, strengthening local production and helping entrepreneurs access the resources they need to grow. At the regional level, it means contributing to climate resilience, encouraging trade and supporting the restoration of natural ecosystems. The report also recognises that meaningful progress requires collaboration. Businesses, financial institutions, public organisations, researchers and local communities each have a role to play in building an economy that is more resilient and inclusive.
As MCB Group continues to develop its sustainable finance initiatives, the focus remains on translating commitments into practical action, while recognising that progress will require continued investment, partnership and adaptation.
