By Shruti Menon Seeboo
On 22nd July 2025, the prestigious Intercontinental Hotel Mauritius, Balaclava, proudly hosted the second annual FinWise Investment Summit. While the day was filled with insightful discussions and expert presentations, it was the concluding remarks of Rajiv Lutchmiah, the Summit’s main organiser, that truly encapsulated the event’s essence and cast a forward-looking gaze on the future of investment in Africa. His closing address served as a powerful synthesis of the day’s learnings, reinforcing Mauritius’s pivotal role as a global financial hub and igniting anticipation for future editions.
The FinWise Investment Summit convened a distinguished assembly of investment professionals from across the globe. Under the theme “In the Pursuit of Growth,” the event aimed to foster collaboration and strengthen the financial ecosystem by addressing information asymmetry and showcasing Africa’s financial talent. Lutchmiah, in his opening, articulated FinWise’s mission: “to impact the lives and prosperity of every African through enhanced financial inclusion and wealth creation.” The day featured three experts – Ajay Tyagi, CFA, from UTI Asset Management, Adarsh Juwaheer from MCB Capital Markets, and Édouard Taieb–Duymedjian from Necker Finance (Switzerland) – each presenting unique investment strategies. It was against this backdrop of rich dialogue that Lutchmiah delivered his concluding thoughts.
Returning to the podium, he began his closing address by expressing profound gratitude to the speakers and all who contributed to the Summit’s success, specifically acknowledging Ajay, Adarsh, and Édouard Taieb–Duymedjian for their “quality of delivery.” His appreciation also extended to the teams from UTI, Necker Finance, MCB Capital Markets, and the various sponsors and partners.
Lutchmiah’s central message resonated with a compelling call for diversification. Reflecting on the presentations, he offered a powerful takeaway: “I believe the answer is actually all three. All three strategies should fit in a portfolio.” This holistic view, he explained, is crucial for navigating the multifaceted investment landscape.
He delved into the merits of each approach. Adarsh Juwaheer’s strategy, described as a “time and tested strategy where it’s different as an allocation,” actively manages across sectors, geographies, and currencies. Lutchmiah stressed the critical importance of the human element behind the numbers: “People matters when you invested in any firm, who’s a team, how long it been to go and do research, check their balance sheet, their profitability? You may have managers showing big returns, but can they maintain the managers over time? Because you don’t just buying a number, you’re supporting, also a team.”
Turning to Édouard Taieb–Duymedjian’s actively managed strategies, Lutchmiah noted their “very focused” nature and the “perspective of managers that actually outperforms the index.” He acknowledged the challenge of outperformance in efficient markets like the US and Europe, but highlighted how Édouard’s approach demonstrated “this little benefit of active management.” For investors seeking a “sleep and buy and hold” approach, a manager adept at timing and risk management for active allocation could be highly beneficial.
Finally, Lutchmiah praised Ajay Tyagi’s distinctive “only India” approach, drawing a parallel with the Mauritian market. He posited that these markets can be “fairly inefficient at times,” creating unique opportunities for managers with deep local knowledge. “When you have access to the CEOs of companies, you have your own research teams, you have a history, you’re able to generate that alpha and select the best companies,” Lutchmiah affirmed, lauding UTI’s consistent team, likening them to a well-coordinated “football team.” Their “bottom-up selection, choosing the companies based on return on capital and high-quality companies that are high price,” he concluded, “this combination has true fitness of time.”
Lutchmiah’s synthesis underscored that there isn’t a single “best” strategy, but rather a complementary set of approaches that, when combined thoughtfully, can create a robust and resilient portfolio. He expressed his pride in having “all three managers” present, showcasing the breadth of expertise available.
Before formally concluding, Lutchmiah made practical announcements, inviting attendees to complete a survey and engage further with participants. He also confirmed that certificates for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points would be issued.
The Second Annual FinWise Investment Summit proved to be a resounding success, fostering a collaborative spirit within the investment community. As the echoes of insightful presentations and networking conversations fade, the FinWise Annual Investment Summit leaves a lasting impression: a commitment to enhancing financial inclusion, driving wealth creation, and solidifying Mauritius’s role as an indispensable gateway for global capital into Africa. The success of this edition only heightens the anticipation for what comes next. We eagerly look forward to the next edition of the FinWise Annual Investment Summit, where the pursuit of growth will undoubtedly continue to inspire and connect the brightest minds in finance. The stage is now set for continued growth, innovation, and shared prosperity.
For more information about FinWise events and magazine, please visit www.finwise.mu
