The Mauritius Financial Services Commission (FSC) is actively engaging with industry experts and the general public to explore the integration of the metaverse into the country’s financial sector. Throughout the month of November, the FSC is dedicated to gathering feedback and insights to understand the potential impact and opportunities offered by the virtual ecosystem in the financial realm.

The metaverse, a digital universe where individuals interact, create, and conduct business, poses exciting possibilities for Mauritius’ financial landscape. Recognizing its significance, the FSC aims to ensure a seamless transition into this new digital frontier. This initiative follows the FSC’s recent emphasis on strategic innovations to enhance the country’s financial services ecosystem, highlighting the regulator’s commitment to informed decision-making for the industry and the public.

In preparation for the global surge in metaverse adoption, the FSC has proactively studied metaverse-focused initiatives in several jurisdictions, including China, Dubai, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, the European Commission (EU), and the United Kingdom. Drawing inspiration from these experiences, the FSC is keen on reshaping Mauritius’ financial services collaboratively. To this end, the regulator has posed seven pivotal questions to the public, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in aligning financial services with the metaverse.

The FSC’s proactive approach showcases its dedication to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology. The commission’s goal is to establish a regulatory framework that not only supports the metaverse but also fosters innovation and growth within Mauritius’ financial sector. Mauritius aims to be a trailblazer in the metaverse revolution, particularly in Africa, and the FSC has set a deadline of November 30 for respondents to provide their input on these crucial metaverse-related questions.

These insights will form the foundation of a diverse working group, guiding future policy and regulatory decisions concerning the metaverse initiative and other innovative technologies. Additionally, there are reports suggesting that Mauritius is gearing up to launch the pilot phase of its digital rupee in November 2023. While an official announcement is pending, Harvesh Kumar Seegolam, the governor of the Bank of Mauritius, has prioritized central bank digital currency (CBDC) development during his tenure, indicating the nation’s commitment to embracing advancements in financial technology.