\n The package <\/a>will include funded facilities and non-funded trade-finance tools such as letters of credit, confirmed letters of credit, avalised bills of exchange and guarantees. \n <\/p>\n
\n MCB said the initiative will support economic transformation by giving businesses tailored trade-finance solutions and more competitive access to capital.
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\n It will also help strengthen regional value chains and intra-African trade, in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
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\n Africa\u2019s Trade-Finance Gap Remains Wide
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\n The announcement comes as Africa continues to face a large trade-finance gap despite rising demand for cross-border commerce.
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\n The African Development Bank\u2019s latest trade-finance report <\/a>estimated unmet demand at between $74 billion and $92 billion in 2024. At the lower end, the shortfall represented 5.4% of the continent\u2019s total merchandise trade.
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\n The report also showed that commercial banks financed an average of 23% of Africa\u2019s total trade between 2020 and 2024, down from 40% during the 2011-2019 period.
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\n Foreign-currency shortages remain a major constraint, with 36% of banks identifying limited access to foreign-currency funding as a key barrier to expanding trade finance.
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\n Intra-African trade, however, is taking up a larger share of bank-financed trade. According to the African Development Bank, it accounted for 34% of all trade financed by banks between 2020 and 2024, an 89% increase from the 2011-2019 period.
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\n MCB Expands Its Africa Strategy
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\n For MCB, the new facility builds on its long-running Africa strategy.
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\n The announcement follows the bank\u2019s recent Letter of Intent with Proparco and African partner banks under the Africa AgriTrade Coalition, which aims to expand trade finance for agricultural value chains across the continent.
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\n Thierry Hebraud, chief executive officer of MCB Ltd, said intra-African trade remains a major growth driver for African economies.
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\n He added that the financing package reflects the group\u2019s commitment to supporting African companies\u2019 funding needs while contributing to wider economic integration.
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\n As of December 2025, MCB operated banking subsidiaries in Seychelles, Madagascar, R\u00e9union and the Maldives. It also maintained representative offices in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and France, giving it a presence across several key trade corridors.
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\n Mauritius Strengthens Its Financial-Hub Role
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\n The initiative also reinforces Mauritius\u2019 position as one of Africa\u2019s leading financial centres.
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\n The island nation has built a strong role in African finance through political stability, regulation, cross-border financial services and its ability to connect capital with regional and international markets.
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\n Its model is often compared with small European financial centres such as Luxembourg and Malta.
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\n Mauritius is ranked as Africa\u2019s second-richest country in the HelloSafe Prosperity Index 2026<\/a>, behind Seychelles, based on indicators such as GDP at purchasing power parity, gross national income, human development, income distribution and poverty levels.
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