[ACCI-CAVIE] As the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), a bicentennial institution and a flagship of regional finance, rolls out its ambitious Vision 2030, a key partner stands out: the African Centre for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI). The presence of its chief expert, Dr Guy Gweth, in Port-Louis from 20 to 27 September 2025 for a strategic mission is not an isolated event, but a confirmation of a privileged and long-standing partnership that began in 2020.
The objective of this mission is clear: to strengthen the capabilities of MCB’s various branches in holistic intelligence on African markets. This approach is essential to achieving Vision 2030, the five-year plan recently unveiled by CEO Jean Michel Ng Tseung, which aims to make MCB “a leading Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) and Private Bank (PB) in Africa.”
The ACCI: The Aladdin of African Competitive Intelligence
For a decade, the ACCI has established itself as the benchmark for authentic African competitive intelligence. Created ten years ago, the Centre is to major African banks what the genie of the lamp, Aladdin, is to a global finance titan like BlackRock: an actor capable of collecting, processing, and disseminating the most crucial and strategic information.
The ACCI’s secret lies in its unique mechanisms: holistic monitoring (covering competition, finance, commerce, technology, regulation, politics, and social trends) across all markets, sharp strategic intelligence, and a team of seasoned investigators capable of legally accessing highly sensitive information within competitive timelines. This approach goes beyond data collection; it also includes vital elements of analysis, advisory services, training, and team mentoring. It is precisely this expertise that MCB, with over 4,200 employees worldwide, has fully integrated to refine its expansion strategy.
A Strategic Partnership for Africa’s Best
MCB’s appetite for Africa is palpable. Without aiming to become a retail bank – it does not plan to open branches and favours a strategy of hubs and representative offices (Nairobi, Lagos, Dubai, Johannesburg, and potentially London and Abidjan) – the bank focuses on segments of excellence: Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) for specialised ecosystems (energy, commodities, investment funds) and Private Banking (PB) targeting Africa’s high-net-worth individuals.
To succeed in Africa and become a leading institution in CIB and PB, MCB must have a comprehensive understanding of its clients’ needs. This is where the ACCI comes in, supporting the banking group in establishing itself across Southern, Eastern, and Western African markets. The partnership, strengthened for Vision 2030, will allow MCB to integrate a more complete and cohesive suite of solutions across global markets, transactional banking, investment banking, and wealth management.
For Jean Michel Ng Tseung, Vision 2030 has clarified where the bank wants to be in five years: “Beyond our domestic markets, it is in Africa that we feel relevant, meaningful, and impactful.”
An Impressive Ten-Year Track Record
Visits to Port-Louis are a routine practice for the ACCI, whose model has won over fifty references across fifteen countries over the past decade. Its clients include leading financial institutions such as Afriland First Group, BEAC, BGFI Group, BNP Paribas Fortis, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations of Senegal, and Ecobank, as well as public-sector actors (Presidencies of Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, etc.) and the non-profit sector.
The Editorial Team