What were the key performance highlights for Cim Finance over the past year? This year has been a milestone in Cim Finance’s journey, defined by reaching the MUR 1bn profit mark – a symbol of our collective efforts and strategic direction. Despite the challenges of previous years, our traditional businesses in consumer finance and leasing have continued to deliver strong results, reaffirming our role as a partner of choice for businesses and individuals. This achievement has also reinforced a sense of pride and shared accomplishment among our teams, inspiring us to push further in driving financial inclusion and supporting economic progress. Cim Finance recently experienced a leadership transition. Could you provide some insight into how the company is navigating this change? Our leadership transition reflects the stability and continuity valued at Cim Finance, with Ambrish Maharahaje, a trusted in-house leader, stepping into the role of Group CEO in April 2024. Having served as Group Chief Operating Officer since 2019, Ambrish has been a key figure in strengthening the foundations of our business. His appointment reflects our confidence in homegrown leadership, ensuring the continuation of a strategy carefully built over the years. On behalf of the Board, I congratulate Ambrish on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to the progress we will achieve together under his leadership. How do you view the evolution of the financial services industry? Rapid advancements in technology, a competitive labour market, and rising sustainability imperatives are guiding the evolution of the financial services industry, requiring agility and continuous innovation. Cim Finance is well-geared to navigate these shifts, both financially and operationally. We have been proactive in advancing our digital strategy, embedding responsible practices in our operations, and fostering an environment that motivates and retains talent. How is Cim Finance positioned to adapt to this landscape? Our governance framework, designed to be dynamic and future-ready, has been strengthened significantly to support these IT- and people-related risks and transformations. This year, we appointed Mrs Jenny Chan to the Board, bringing valuable IT expertise to strengthen our digital backbone. We also formed an IT & Digitalisation Committee to ensure proactive and effective technology integration. Complementing these efforts, we further consolidated the leadership team in key areas such as Human Resources and Sustainability by bringing in seasoned professionals to drive progress. The diversity of our Board of Directors, and their eagerness to deepen their understanding of complex issues, further strengthens our ability to approach issues with a broad and informed perspective. This year, training on key topics such as cybersecurity, sustainability, and AML/CFT was a priority, ensuring all Board members have the necessary skills and controls to address emerging challenges. The recent acquisition of Loinette has opened up prospects for growth in East, Southern, and West Africa, particularly in leasing. While expansion in this region presents its own complexities, we believe it is an avenue worth exploring with experienced teams in place and carefully aligned partnerships. While our operations in Kenya have encountered some challenges, we are still refining our approach and drawing on our learnings to find the right path forward. These past years have been uncertain, but we have remained steadfast in our commitment to delivering shareholder value, as evidenced in the increased dividends distributed this year. Looking ahead, we will continue to do everything in our remit to ensure our shareholders see meaningful returns on their trust. You mentioned that the financial services sector is facing labour challenges, likely to intensify in the year ahead. How is Cim Finance addressing this? The labour market is indeed increasingly challenging, with rising costs, talent shortages and heightened competition for skilled professionals – particularly acute in the financial services sector. At Cim Finance, our caring approach underpins everything we do, ensuring we prioritise the needs and aspirations of our workforce. In addition to the many engagement and retention initiatives outlined in the Human Capital Report (page 53), we extended the Employee Share Options Scheme (ESOS) to include senior managers, determined to recognise the contributions of our teams and nurture a culture where our people feel valued and fulfilled. In line with our ‘Phygital’ strategy, we are also increasingly adopting digital technologies to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and fill workforce gaps. How is Cim Finance driving social impact and advancing its environmental agenda? Sustainability and inclusivity are central to our mission and business model. Cim Finance’s business is deeply rooted in the Mauritian economy, with a strong focus on retail and SME financing to serve the needs of the mass market. This focus reflects who we are – a business born to serve people, facilitating their progress at key stages of their life, from purchasing their first car to starting a business, or even supporting life’s unexpected expenses. We have expanded our support to SMEs through Fundkiss and Noubiznes, providing entrepreneurs with resources and opportunities to scale. Housing and education remain key focus areas in our community-driven activities. Our Cité CIM project has already helped numerous families by providing safe and stable housing, allowing them to take an active role in shaping their futures. Additionally, inspired by our work with Ecole Renganaden Seeneevassen, we are initiating an educationfocused project in Rodrigues to empower the youth in underserved communities to create better opportunities for themselves. The past year also marked genuine progress toward elevating sustainability as a central priority. A dedicated ESG sub-committee, chaired by a Board member, was established to ensure alignment between policies and their practical implementation. Our green bond, an industry first, has been highly successful, driving demand for green loans and sustainable products, and paving the way for further impact in sustainable finance. What are Cim Finance’s prospects looking ahead? The year ahead is filled with opportunities to strengthen Cim Finance’s position. Building on solid foundations in consumer finance and leasing, we are now focused on consolidating our operations in Mauritius, leveraging the acquisition of Loinette, and expanding our footprint across the region. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our shareholders for their continued confidence, to our Board of Directors for their steadfast guidance, and to our team members for their dedication in navigating a pivotal year. With our growing engagement in ESG principles, and with continued support from all our stakeholders, we are committed to supporting the broader economic development of the country and the region, striving to make financial growth as accessible as possible, and remaining a positive force for the society we represent. 27 Introduction Group Overview Leadership Strategy & Performance Risk Management Corporate Governance Statutory Disclosures Financial
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