Fundação Fernando Leite Couto and Moza Banco Announce the Winner of the 8th Fernando Leite Couto Literary Prize

Moza Banco and Fundação Dom Cabral hosted a high-level debate this Wednesday in Maputo under the theme “How to Finance Mozambique’s Growth: The Role of the Development Bank and Commercial Banking”, bringing together representatives from the financial, business and academic sectors, as well as development partners, for a strategic discussion on the challenges and opportunities of financing the country’s economic growth.
The event provided an open platform for dialogue on the role of the various stakeholders in mobilising resources for productive investment, highlighting the need for closer coordination between the Government, commercial banks, the future Development Bank, the private sector and international development partners.

In his opening remarks, Professor Carlos Braga shared international experiences on development banks, emphasising that such institutions can play a decisive role in economic transformation when founded on sound governance principles, financial sustainability and complementarity with the existing financial system.
The panel discussion, moderated by Moza Banco’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Henrique Cossa, featured Manuel Soares, João Macaringue, Omar Mithá and Olamide Harrison. The panellists examined the main constraints to financing economic growth in Mozambique and shared perspectives on solutions capable of accelerating investment, productivity and the competitiveness of the national economy.

Throughout the discussion, participants agreed on the importance of strengthening long-term financing mechanisms, supporting private sector development and creating the conditions necessary to transform the country’s economic potential into sustainable and inclusive growth.
On the occasion, Moza Banco and Fundação Dom Cabral also symbolically signed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, reinforcing their joint commitment to leadership development, business capacity building and the promotion of initiatives that contribute to Mozambique’s economic growth.

The event also formed part of the celebrations marking Moza Banco’s 18th anniversary, highlighted by the presentation of a corporate video showcasing the institution’s key milestones, growth and transformation throughout its history.
For Moza Banco, the country’s sustainable development requires not only access to finance but also platforms for reflection that foster practical solutions to national economic challenges. In this context, the Bank reaffirms its commitment to promoting initiatives that strengthen the private sector, enhance knowledge and contribute to building a more dynamic, inclusive and resilient economy.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen.

Moza Banco Reaffirms Its Commitment to the Promotion of Mozambican Culture and Intellectual Thought

Written by Crimildo Matola, has been awarded the 8th Fernando Leite Couto Literary Prize. The winner was announced during a ceremony held at the premises of the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto in Maputo.

Dedicated to the literary genre of prose, the 2026 edition brought together five shortlisted works from different parts of the country, demonstrating the vitality of Mozambican literary creation and the emergence of new voices capable of enriching the nation’s cultural heritage through literature.

Established by the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto, with the support of Moza Banco, the Portugal–Mozambique Chamber of Commerce and the Municipality of Óbidos, Portugal, the Prize has established itself as one of the most significant platforms for encouraging literary production in the Portuguese language, contributing to the discovery, recognition and international visibility of Mozambican authors.

On the occasion, Manuel Soares, Chief Executive Officer of Moza Banco, highlighted the role of literature in shaping collective identity and strengthening critical thinking, stressing the importance of continuing to create opportunities for emerging writers to develop and share their talent.

“Literature is more than artistic expression. It is memory, identity and a way of interpreting the world. Through literature, stories are preserved, experiences are recorded, and new perspectives on reality and the future are created. At Moza Banco, we deeply recognise and value this contribution, which is why we reaffirm our commitment to initiatives that promote talent, creativity and critical thinking, particularly among younger generations,” said Manuel Soares.

As a longstanding partner of the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto, Moza Banco has consistently supported initiatives that promote the arts, literature and culture, believing that Mozambique’s sustainable development also depends on strengthening intellectual production, creativity and knowledge.

In congratulating Crimildo Matola on winning this year’s edition, Moza Banco also extends its congratulations to all the finalists and to the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto for its continued work in promoting Mozambican literature and creating spaces that encourage intellectual debate, reflection and the appreciation of the country’s cultural heritage.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen.

Moza Banco has once again been distinguished as one of the best companies to work for in Mozambique, under the Elite Employer 2026 award, promoted by Tempus Global Group.

This distinction marks the fifth consecutive year in which the Bank has been included among organisations recognised for their people management practices, having achieved a Top 10 placement in four editions of the initiative.

The award assesses different dimensions related to employee experience, including the working environment, organisational culture, benefits, career development and work-life balance.
In the 2026 edition, the distinction was received by Moza Banco’s Human Resources Director, Márcia Silva, and Executive Committee Member, Sérgio Ribeiro.

For the Bank, this recognition reflects its ongoing investment in valuing human capital, strengthening organisational culture and creating a workplace environment focused on development, collaboration and sustainable growth.

“This distinction represents important recognition of Moza Banco’s ongoing commitment to valuing its people and strengthening an organisational culture based on talent development, collaboration and sustainable growth. We will remain focused on creating an environment capable of attracting, developing and retaining professionals who actively contribute to the transformation and evolution of the Bank,” states Moza Banco.

In recent years, the Bank has also strengthened initiatives related to technical training, leadership development, the promotion of young talent and the consolidation of teams aligned with the challenges of transformation in the financial sector.

The distinction comes at a time when Moza Banco is also continuing to consolidate its positioning in the areas of innovation, digital transformation and social responsibility, reinforcing an integrated vision of sustainable growth and people development.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen.

Moza Banco has been distinguished by Global Banking & Finance Review with the awards Best CSR Bank Mozambique 2026, Best Bank for HR & Recruitment Mozambique 2026 and Best Banking Technology Implementation Mozambique 2026, reinforcing the institution’s positioning in the areas of social responsibility, talent management and technological transformation.

The awards represent international recognition of the work the Bank has been carrying out in consolidating its institutional strategy, with a focus on technological modernisation, the enhancement of human capital and the promotion of initiatives with social impact.

In the Best CSR Bank Mozambique category, Moza Banco was recognised for its commitment to initiatives in financial inclusion, social development and support for projects with community impact, reinforcing a vision of banking oriented towards the creation of sustainable economic and social value.

The distinction Best Bank for HR & Recruitment Mozambique recognises the Bank’s ongoing investment in valuing its people, strengthening organisational culture and developing talent, within a context of transformation and institutional growth.

Meanwhile, the Best Banking Technology Implementation Mozambique award highlights the implementation of one of the most significant technological transformations in the Bank’s recent history, including the modernisation of its technological infrastructure, the strengthening of digital channels and the improvement of the customer experience.

For Moza Banco, these distinctions represent external validation of the strategy being implemented and of the Bank’s ability to build a more modern, innovative institution prepared to respond to the challenges of the financial sector.

“These distinctions represent important international recognition of the transformation journey that Moza Banco has been consolidating. They reflect our continued investment in our people, in technological modernisation and in an approach that is increasingly focused on creating sustainable value for our clients, communities and for the development of Mozambique. We receive these awards with a sense of responsibility and as encouragement to continue building a Bank that is closer, more innovative and prepared to respond to the challenges of the future,” said Manuel Soares, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Moza Banco.

With these awards, Moza Banco reinforces its positioning as an institution focused on the next generation of banking experience in Mozambique.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen

Moza Banco has joined the third edition of the charitable concert “Vibrações e Esperança”, promoted by musician Arnaldo Manhice in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in Mozambique and Spanish Cooperation, an initiative dedicated to raising school supplies for children in underprivileged schools.

The event, recently held at the Mozambican Musicians Association, brought together musicians, institutional partners and members of civil society around a social cause centred on the promotion of education, inclusion and solidarity.

The concert featured several national artists, including Hélio Beatz, Roberto Chitsondzo, Wakambule, Natural Macuácua, Xavier Machiana and Mister Avalanche, reinforcing the role of music and culture as tools for social mobilisation and community transformation.

Moza Banco’s participation in this initiative is aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which recognises Mozambican culture as one of the fundamental pillars for human development, youth empowerment and the strengthening of national identity.

The initiative is fully aligned with the “Sonhar o Amanhã” programme, launched in 2023, which aims to bring knowledge and essential resources to thousands of primary school children. Through this programme, the Bank has been distributing kits with school and educational materials to vulnerable children across the country, as well as delivering educational talks on essential practices related to saving, budgeting, financial management and sustainability.

Over recent years, the Bank has supported various cultural and educational initiatives in the country, including projects developed in partnership with the Fernando Leite Couto Foundation, through the sponsorship and promotion of literary works, as well as different initiatives led by Arnaldo Manhice, including the launch of his music album and other social and artistic activities.
Through this support, Moza Banco reaffirms its commitment to promoting national culture, education and the creation of opportunities for future generations.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen.

Literary initiative at the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to the holistic development of Mozambican children.

As part of the Children’s celebrations, which mark International Children's Day and Moza Banco recently organised a literary initiative for children at the premises of the Fundação Fernando Leite Couto. Held within the framework of the partnership between the Bank and the Foundation, the event featured a dramatized reading of  by renowned Mozambican author Mia Couto. The programme also included a book-signing session, interactive activities, games and other recreational experiences, providing participating children with an educational, enriching and memorable occasion.
The choice of literature as the central theme of the celebration was deliberate. Moza Banco believes that reading plays a fundamental role in shaping future generations by fostering creativity, critical thinking, imagination and learning skills. By encouraging children to engage with books from an early age, the Bank seeks to nurture a lifelong love of reading as an essential tool for both personal and academic development.

This initiative forms part of Moza Banco’s broader strategy to promote education and capacity building among children and young people. Over recent years, the Bank has implemented a range of financial literacy initiatives aimed at younger audiences, notably the  programme, which has provided school kits and educational support to thousands of children across the country. Beyond teaching children how to save money, the programme promotes a culture of responsible and sustainable resource management—including the responsible use of natural resources—thereby helping to develop more informed, responsible and resilient future citizens.

For Moza Banco, investing in children is an investment in Mozambique’s future. Guided by this conviction and as part of its ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility, the Bank continues to develop initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for learning, values-based education and active citizenship for the generations to come.

Moza Banco. Making It Happen.

Moza Banco shareholders have just appointed Mr Henrique Constantino Pedro Cossa as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors (PCA), by resolution of the Ordinary General Meeting.
Henrique Cossa takes over the leadership of the Board of Directors, replacing Manuel Soares, who had held the dual roles of Chairperson of the Board and Chairperson of the Executive Committee since 2025, and who will now return to the exclusive role of Chairperson of the Executive Committee (PCE).
Henrique Cossa is a senior executive with extensive experience in the public and private sectors, with a professional career spanning more than three decades in strategic areas related to engineering, public policy, natural resources and institutional governance.
Throughout his career, he has held positions of high responsibility within the Government of Mozambique, notably as Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing, Permanent Secretary at the same ministry, and Adviser to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, where he contributed to the formulation of strategic policies and the development of structural initiatives in the extractive sector.
In the business sector, he has also held governance roles in leading institutions, including at Ecobank Mozambique, where he served as Chairperson of the General Assembly, and with ENH/KOGAS, further strengthening his experience in institutional management and strategic oversight.
He holds a degree in Mining Engineering from Bergakademie Freiberg in Germany and a Master’s degree in Poverty Reduction and Development Management from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
The appointment of Henrique Cossa reflects the commitment of Moza Banco’s shareholders to strengthening governance, institutional robustness and the continuity of the institution’s sustainable growth strategy.
The Board of Directors of Moza Banco would like to express their gratitude to Manuel Soares for his contribution during the period in which he held the dual roles of Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, ensuring leadership stability and continuity at a strategic moment for the Bank.
With this new configuration of its governing bodies, Moza Banco strengthens its vision for the future, maintaining its focus on operational excellence, innovation and boosting its position within the Mozambican financial system, whilst continuing to support the country’s economic development and the creation of value for its customers, partners and society at large.
Moza Banco. Making it happen.

Moza Banco closed the 2025 financial year with an improvement in key operational and risk indicators, strengthening the robustness of its balance sheet in a challenging economic environment marked by a contraction in domestic economic activity.
In this context, the Bank adopted a prudent and disciplined approach, focused on the structural strengthening of its financial position and the improvement of the quality of its assets.
Operating performance remained positive throughout the financial year. Gross Operating Profit grew by 47.6%, reaching MZN 1.739 billion, compared to MZN 1.178 billion recorded in the previous year, demonstrating the Bank’s ability to consistently generate operating value.
The customer base continued to grow, with the addition of over 43,000 new customers, bringing the total to 305,571 customers, representing an increase of 16.5% compared with the same period last year. At the same time, customer deposits grew by MZN 3.5866 billion (+7.1%), reaching MZN 53.782 billion, demonstrating customers’ continued confidence in the institution.
In terms of digital transformation, the Bank recorded a 15.6% increase in the number of active users and a 26.3% rise in transaction volume, as a result of investments made in technological modernisation, including the launch of the new Internet and Mobile Banking platform, which enhanced the customer experience and contributed to operational efficiency gains.
Digital transformation remains a strategic pillar, supporting the continuous improvement of services, strengthening customer relationships and modernising its business model.
In terms of risk management, Moza Banco significantly strengthened its provisioning and intensified credit portfolio management, focusing on enhancing coverage levels as well as reducing higher-risk exposures, as part of a deliberate strategy to optimise the balance sheet, in line with best prudential practices.
In 2025, pursuant to Notice No. 16/BdM/2013 from the Central Bank of Mozambique, Moza Banco aligned its credit asset regularisation policy, adopting more prudent and timely criteria based on the effective recoverability of exposures. This update focused primarily on historical transactions that had already been fully provisioned, with no material impact on the Bank’s operational activity, liquidity, own funds or prudential ratios.
As a result of this action, the non-performing loan ratio (EBA NPL) fell from 12.50% in 2024 to 3.94% at the end of 2025, reflecting a significant improvement in the quality of the Bank’s assets and its risk profile.
The loan portfolio decreased by 29.4%, as part of a deliberate effort to optimise the portfolio and adopt a more selective approach to lending. Nevertheless, the Bank maintained its commitment to financing the economy, granting new loans totalling MZN 1.9206 billion, whilst continuing to actively support businesses and individuals.
Prudential ratios remained solid, with the capital adequacy ratio standing at 14.46% and the liquidity ratio at 47.29%, both above regulatory levels, confirming the Bank’s financial strength and its ability to absorb extraordinary shocks.
The net loss for the year, amounting to MZN 3.9195 billion, reflects primarily extraordinary and non-recurring measures to strengthen risk coverage and optimise the balance sheet, aimed at positioning the Bank more solidly for the coming growth cycles.
It is important to note that the Bank’s operational activity remained positive throughout the financial year, with the Bank choosing to use this capacity to strengthen its financial position and prudently accommodate impacts associated with exposures from previous periods.
According to Manuel Soares, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Moza Banco:
“2025 was a year of responsible and structural decisions. We have significantly strengthened the quality of our assets and the robustness of our balance sheet, enabling us to enter a new cycle with a stronger, more resilient Bank that is better prepared to grow sustainably.”
Moza Banco thus reaffirms its commitment to a model of responsible growth, based on prudence, discipline and the creation of sustainable value for its customers and shareholders, actively contributing to the development of the national economy.