Mauritius Digital Payments Hit Rs 2,375bn vs Rs 20bn in Cheques

Mauritius is rapidly leaving the cheque book behind. New figures published on 20 October 2026 by the Bank of Mauritius in its monthly statistical bulletin show that digital and automated banking transactions now outweigh cheque payments by a staggering margin, a sign of how quickly payment habits are shifting across the island.

In September 2026, the national Cheque Clearance system processed 240,466 cheques with a combined value of approximately Rs 20.46 billion. That works out to roughly 11,451 cheques per day, with a daily average value of around Rs 947 million. While those numbers may still sound large, they look modest alongside the Rs 2,375 billion recorded through digital and automated banking channels during the same period.

To put the cheque decline in perspective, the Bank of Mauritius data shows a clear downward trend over the past two years. In October 2024, banks processed 326,127 cheques worth Rs 24.34 billion. By October 2025, that had already fallen to 305,433 cheques worth Rs 22.73 billion. September 2026 marks a further drop both in volume and value.

The pattern holds consistently throughout 2026. In January, 188,267 cheques worth Rs 15.99 billion were processed. By April the figure rose slightly to 230,052 cheques and Rs 20.49 billion, and in August 211,743 cheques were cleared for Rs 19.32 billion. The overall trajectory is unmistakably downward.

What this means: For ordinary Mauritians, this shift reflects everyday reality. More people and businesses are paying via bank transfers, mobile banking apps, card payments and other electronic channels rather than writing or depositing cheques. Cheques still play a role in certain property transactions, salary payments at some smaller firms and inter-business dealings, but their dominance is clearly fading. For the banking sector, fewer cheques mean lower processing costs and faster settlement times. For regulators and the Bank of Mauritius, the data confirms that investment in digital payment infrastructure is paying off. The central bank has been actively promoting the modernisation of payment systems in line with broader financial inclusion goals. Businesses and individuals still relying heavily on cheques may find themselves at a practical disadvantage as banks continue to streamline and prioritise digital services.

The Bank of Mauritius, the country's central bank headquartered in Port Louis, publishes its statistical bulletin monthly. The data covers all commercial banks operating in Mauritius and provides a broad picture of money flows across the economy.

Source: ION News