Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, Africa’s only female head of state, is to quit over a financial row.

Gurib-Fakim has been accused of using a bank card provided by an NGO, to make personal purchases.

She is to step down after ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of the island’s independence on March 12.

“The President of the Republic told me that she would resign from office and we agreed on the date of her departure,” Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said, “The interests of the country come first.”

Reports allege that Gurib-Fakim had spent thousands of dollars on the card on clothing and luxury items.

However, she denied any wrongdoing and said she had refunded all the money.

“I do not owe anything to anybody. Why is this issue coming up now almost a year later on the eve of our independence day celebrations,” she said on March 7, Reuters news agency reported.