Moza Banco voted best regional bank in Africa

 Between 2023 and 2024, Moza Banco reinforced its commitment to financial inclusion by expanding the "Conta com o Moza" (“Count on Moza”) radio programme, an initiative that aims to promote financial education among people in rural and remote regions of the country, using local languages.

It is estimated that around one million people have benefited in 10 districts in the centre and north of the country, namely in Chimbunila and Majune (Niassa), Memba and Murrupula (Nampula), Derre (Zambézia); Gondola, Machaze and Vanduzi (Manica) and Tsangano and Zumbu (Tete).

The programme was carried out through 10 community radio stations, in seven local languages, in particular Ndau, Sena, Emakwa and Yao.  

The majority of the population covered is engaged in subsistence farming, and who until the time the project was implemented had little knowledge of savings and investment, so it was necessary to use accessible and detailed terms and language to build a new mentality about money within the communities.

According to the population, "Conta com o Moza not only raised their level of financial literacy, but also encouraged the responsible and conscious use of financial services and products, fostering conscious decisions about the use of money for individual and collective development". 

 However, the usefulness and innovation of 'Conta com o Moza' has not only been recognised in the communities it covers. In 2023, for example, the programme earned international recognition by winning Bronze in the Branded Content on Radio category at the prestigious Lusophone Creativity Awards 2022-2023.

It was a recognition that reinforced the relevance of the project, especially in the communities already taking part.

By promoting concepts, best practices and tips on financial security in local languages, Moza Banco's ambition is to contribute to improving the quality of life and well-being of rural populations, ensuring that they know how to save and invest their resources, generating wealth for themselves and the community.

The Director of Information Management at Moza Banco, Camilo Amarcy, has argued for the need to take a contextualised look at the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the country, as a way of ensuring greater assertiveness when drawing up support strategies for national Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

Amarcy was presenting this Tuesday in Maputo at the conference on the "Finance Code for Women Entrepreneurs (We Finance Code)", a World Bank initiative that is intended to be implemented in around 30 countries, including Mozambique. Through this mechanism, it is hoped to considerably increase access to financing lines and services for MSMEs which are mainly owned by women.

Asked at the time about the need to disaggregate customer data in order to expand access to finance for MSMEs, Camilo Amarcy emphasised that "disaggregated data can help financial institutions and support entities identify which entrepreneurs need more support and which mechanisms can be most effective for each profile. However, before using only disaggregated data, it is important to understand the context of each entrepreneur. An entrepreneur in Niassa may have very different challenges from an entrepreneur in Maputo," he explained.

Still according to Amarcy, one of the solutions for segmenting data that is of particular interest to financial institutions could be to consult population studies and censuses.

"We could first exploit existing public data, such as population censuses and analyses from the National Institute of Statistics, the World Bank and other sources, to build a more accurate segmentation model," Camilo Amarcy added.

In Mozambique, the meeting was organised in partnership with FSDMoç, under the theme: "Challenges and Opportunities for Data Disaggregation for MSMEs in the Financial Sector". At the conference, various entities operating in the financial sector signed an agreement formalising their commitment to supporting female Entrepreneurs.

Moza, for its part, has been implementing various initiatives to support women since last year, through its Moza Women project, in which the bank promotes businesses run mostly by women and works with partners to provide financing lines that respond to the needs of female entrepreneurs. This year, the bank has the ambition to create specific products that meet the needs of women, in the light of the same project.

The Bank recognises the role of women in Mozambique's economic development at all levels and is therefore committed to creating diverse solutions that help ensure that women remain at the forefront of Mozambique's economic growth.

In a country where agriculture is often seen as a sector of high financial risk, Moza Banco continues to strengthen its belief in the country's agricultural potential, especially in terms of export capacity. Last Thursday, 20/02, in Maputo, the Bank took part in a workshop on International Trade and Access to Financing for Exports, organised by ExportaMoz, an entity dedicated to promoting exports of national products to major global markets.

The event, which brought together dozens of representatives from small and medium-sized Mozambican companies, most of them linked to the agribusiness sector, was also attended by international institutions, including the British High Commission in Mozambique, which presented some solutions for accessing the UK market.

On behalf of the Bank, Edson Pandze and Higino Machango presented various funding lines specifically designed to boost the export capacity of national agricultural companies, all with competitive, attractive and differentiated interest rates.

Of the seven funding lines presented, three were created by the Bank itself: the Portuguese Cooperation Business Fund (FECOP), the Food Security Fund (FSA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The remaining four are the result of inter-institutional partnerships, especially with the Mozambican government.     

"As a bank run by Mozambicans for Mozambicans, we understand the complexity of agribusiness and always seek to Win Together, creating alternatives to minimise risks and establishing attractive interest rates, often with the possibility of sharing the risk with potential funders," Edson Pandze said.

In response, the businesspersons welcomed Moza's readiness, while emphasising the need for greater delivery of information about these and more funding lines among the agricultural business community.

By investing in agribusiness, Moza is not only living the ambition of contributing to the country's economic growth, but also helping to reduce its trade deficit.

For Moza Banco, in a country with over 36 million hectares of land suitable for agriculture, investing in the sector is unavoidable and necessary for holistic and sustainable development, boosting the well-being of all Mozambicans.

Moza Banco´s Chairman, João Figueiredo, wants Mozambican entrepreneurs and leaders to be agents of change towards a more sustainable and environmentally efficient world. During the recent CEO Business Lunch held in Maputo, João Figueiredo argued that sustainability should no longer be seen merely as corporate social responsibility, but should be regarded as one of the key guiding principles in companies' operations within the market.

"Sustainability is not just a choice; it is the commitment of today to ensure tomorrow," stated Figueiredo, emphasising that the financial sector, in particular, plays a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable economy. "As a financial institution, we have the responsibility to lead by example and be catalysts for change in the Mozambican market."

For Figueiredo, the Mozambican financial sector is facing a unique opportunity to lead the sustainable transformation of the economy. "As business leaders, we have the power to turn global challenges into opportunities for our institutions and for the country. This is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity to maintain relevance and competitiveness in the modern market," he concluded.

For Moza, the issue of sustainability has always been a priority, especially since the bank is led by a group of committed Mozambicans engaged in environmental causes, promoting the implementation of various actions aimed at protecting the ecosystem.

Among the many ongoing initiatives, the project "Let’s Plant Trees", created by the bank’s social arm, Clube Moza, stands out. The goal of this initiative is to plant at least one million trees along the Mozambican coast.

To date, the Xefina Islands in Maputo and the coastal area of the city of Maxixe, in Inhambane, have been included in the project, with hundreds of casuarina seedlings already planted by the bank's employees.

Moza reaffirms its commitment to sustainable development goals, positioning itself as an institution determined to make the necessary transformation in the financial sector. The bank lives the ambition to be a catalyst for positive change, from the design of sustainable financial products to the implementation of internal practices that promote eco-efficiency, demonstrating that it is possible to combine economic development with environmental responsibility.

This Thursday 20^th June, and for the second year running, Moza hosted a debate on the challenges of the global economy and their impact on Mozambique, at a meeting attended by international experts from the world's fifth largest business school, the Dom Cabral Foundation.

The approaches proposed in the discussions touched on biodiversity, a topic that has become increasingly in vogue on the world agenda, brought to the meeting by the environmentalist Carlos Serra, who came to present the topic of "Environmental Sustainability as a Pillar of Economic Resilience: Challenges and Opportunities for Mozambique". 

Among the keynote speakers was Marcos Troyjo, an Oxford University academic with leadership experience at the head of renowned Brazilian and international institutions, most notably the fact that he was the first Westerner to head an international organisation based in Asia, and also the first Brazilian to chair a multilateral development bank.

Troyjo, who discussed the challenges facing the world economy in 2024, new opportunities for emerging economies, emphasised, among other things, the growth of the world’s population and Africa's role in the new world dynamics.

According to Marcos Troyjo, the African continent, particularly Mozambique and sub-Saharan African countries, must be ready to respond to the world’s needs, "exploiting their vast potential for the benefit of their own economy, generating more and more wealth for the country and its people".   

Carlos Serra, meanwhile, believes that there can be no development without observing the basic precepts of sustainability.

According to Serra, only with human beings increasingly aware of the ecosystem can environmentally friendly policies be developed and implemented, "capable of reconciling economic growth and the protection of biodiversity".

Likewise, on the occasion, the Chairperson of Moza's Board of Directors, João Figueiredo, made it clear to those in attendance that the Bank is also committed in the long run to protecting the environment, implementing concrete actions to minimise the impact of climate change. 

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Moza's Executive Committee, Manuel Soares, turned the moment into an opportunity to celebrate the Bank's 16^th anniversary, valuing the commitment from employees to Moza's success.

The conference on the Challenges of the Global Economy in 2024 and their Impact on Mozambique was also attended by the Ambassador of Brazil, Ademar Seabra Júnior and the representative of the Dom Cabral Foundation (FDC), Viviane Barreto.

The meeting also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Moza and FDC for the implementation of an educational programme called "Pra Frente" (Going forward), through which small and medium-sized national companies working with Moza will benefit from training in entrepreneurship and management.

Yesterday, Thursday, in Maputo, a press conference was held to launch Moza Banco's institutional campaign, through which Moza has reaffirmed its position as a bank that believes in and invests in Mozambique and Mozambicans.

On this occasion, the Bank established a partnership with the Clarisse Machanguana Foundation (FCM), an organisation that actively works to empower women and girls, especially those in vulnerable situations.

The meeting with journalists and project partners also served as a platform for public recognition of Clarisse Machanguana's career, particularly her international career, having been the first Mozambican to play in the biggest basketball league in the world: the WNBA.

The agreement between Moza and FCM will lead to a fundraising campaign that should benefit the Foundation, boosting opportunities in sport and education for underprivileged girls and young women across the country.

During her speech, Clarisse Machanguana emphasised the fact that the Foundation's project includes teenagers and young dreamers who face challenges that she herself once faced.

"I was young once too and I've faced different barriers along the way, so the journey of the girls the foundation supports is very similar to mine. It's extremely satisfying for me to see the results of what we're doing. That's why I want to reiterate once again that help from everyone is key to the success of this project," Clarisse Machanguana said.

For Moza's Executive Committee Chairperson (CEO), Manuel Soares, the successes that have been achieved through Clarisse's project point to the transformative power of sport and education in the process of building a more equitable society, in which women dream and Make It Happen.

"For us it is a duty and at the same time a privilege to support causes that drive the progress and sustainable development of our nation, particularly that of women. I salute everyone who believes in the power of social transformation, particularly the institutions that have identified with this project and joined us on this journey to Make the Dream of Young Mozambican Women Happen," said Manuel Soares, who proceeded to thank the campaign's current partners, namely Rádio Moçambique, Televisão de Moçambique, Sociedade de Notícias and Hotel Meliã.

With the aim of praising women, helping them to believe in their potential and fulfil their dreams, Moza defined 2024 as the year of the Mozambican woman, and since its inception the bank has been materialising various initiatives in favour of women, most notably the Moza Women project. 

Dozens of children admitted to Inhambane Provincial Hospital (HPI) celebrated Children's Day on 1^st June with employees from Moza Banco, who came to the health centre with various food items, clothes and toys for the little ones.

These are children suffering from various illnesses, including malaria, diarrhoea, diabetes and malnutrition, who are currently dependent on 24-hour care from their mothers and the health professionals at the largest hospital in Inhambane province.

On the occasion, Moza employees interacted with the mothers and the children themselves, with the aim of conveying comfort and the atmosphere of joy that characterises the 1^st of June all over the world.  

According to the General Practitioner, Belinha Manhice, the support provided by Moza minimises the hospital's needs, especially when it comes to guaranteeing decent food for the children in the paediatric ward. "We have received food products with good nutritional value that will help us minimise our needs. The hospital always needs this kind of support, especially here in the paediatrics department, where we have children admitted," she underlined.

According to Abdul Alegy, Moza's manager for Inhambane province, this is not the first time that the bank has been involved in social responsibility activities in the region.

"We work closely with communities. We know the issues that concern people and we always make an effort to help in any way we can. We've done this in the past and will continue to do so. As part of the Children's Fortnight celebrations, we will be making another donation to mark Moza's 16th anniversary on 16^th June," Abdul Alegy said.

Fully aware that children represent the country's future, Moza is showing its concern for this social stratum who, according to the late President Samora Machel, are "flowers that never wither". Through this action, it is hoped not only to alleviate the immediate needs of the hospital and the children admitted, but also to convey a message of hope, affection and responsibility, reinforcing the Bank's key role in building a fairer and more equal society for all Mozambicans.   

In a clear sign of permanent growth, Moza Banco has recorded positive results for the second year running. The economic and financial performance was assessed during the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, held last Tuesday (16^th April 2024), at which the Management Report and Financial Statements for the 2023 financial year were approved.

Despite the challenging scenario, fuelled by the international economic climate and the economic slowdown due to restrictive monetary policies adopted by the main Central Banks to combat inflation, the 2023 Financial Statements have reinforced the market's confidence in Moza, thus reaffirming its position among the main players in the market.

Without dispensing with the required caution and rigour in its activities, in a year in which Moza celebrated its fifteenth anniversary, the Bank maintained its commitment to supporting families and companies, granting various loans totalling around 5.2 billion meticais.

At the same time, the Bank stood out for its capacity for resilience and adaptation, reinforced by the growing confidence of its customers, who increased their deposits by 22.5 per cent, reflecting an increase in the deposit portfolio of 7.8 billion meticais. 

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) of Moza Banco, João Figueiredo, the bank recorded a significant 24 per cent growth in its assets "standing at 11.3 billion meticais, with a considerable growth in its operating profits, of around 39 per cent, representing an increase of 634 million meticais compared to last year".

To optimise its operational efficiency, Moza implemented strategies to boost its operating and investment costs, as well as those to increase revenue, resulting in more assertive control of the cost-to-income ratio, which fell to 66.8%, compared to 74.3% in 2022.  

The list of measures implemented over the past year contributed to a net profit of 102 million meticais, an increase of 13 per cent compared to the same period in 2022.

Moza also maintained solid and robust prudential ratios, with a Solvency Ratio of 19.92% and a Liquidity Ratio of 38.86%, both above those set by the Regulator, reflecting its financial solidity and ability to adapt to market dynamics. In addition, there was a reduction in the non-performing loans ratio to 11.2 per cent, compared to 15.6 per cent in 2022, thanks to the strengthening of the Bank's risk management and loan recovery policies.

Also in line with the 2022 - 2026 Strategic Plan, a capital increase of 1.2 billion meticais was carried out, which strategically consolidated and strengthened Moza's balance sheet.

"The shareholders' decision to increase the Bank's capital has demonstrated their confidence in our management and in our potential for growth on a stable, gradually rising basis," the Board Chairman underlined.

Over the past year, Moza has also launched digital transformation initiatives, reinforcing its position as an innovative and future-orientated financial institution. Highlights include the implementation of Moza Connect and the 3D Secure security system, setting new standards of interconnectivity and security for customers and reinforcing its commitment to offering secure and convenient banking solutions.

As a result of its strategy to increase the value of its labour force, in 2023 the Bank was distinguished as one of the best institutions to work for in Mozambique for the second year running. Likewise, Moza received the Local Content Bank Award by the Enermina Awards.

As a Bank that Makes It Happen, Moza believes that the public recognition it receives are in fact a reflection of its internal cohesion and desire to contribute to the country's sustainable development, anchored in its commitment to not only meeting financial needs, but also actively promoting social well-being.