News

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.

This is the second time that Moza has reaffirmed its position in the Top 10 best companies to work for in Mozambique.

Over the last three years, regular studies carried out by Tempus Global Group, with the aim of identifying and recognising organisations that offer a great working environment for their employees, have praised the Bank among over 100 companies listed in the surveys.

In this way, Moza is among the organisations with the greatest capacity to retain and attract the best professionals in the sector in which it operates.

Based on the results obtained, Tempus Global awards the "Elite Employer" certification to organisations having evaluated four basic aspects of the survey, namely: Compensation and Benefits; Work Environment; Career and Culture.

For Moza Banco's Human Resources Director, Márcia Silva, this recognition is the result of a collective commitment involving all employees, thus creating a familiar and welcoming working environment.

"It's really gratifying for us when internationally recognised institutions rate us positively for our efforts to offer good working conditions and a welcoming and friendly environment for our employees. After all, at Moza Banco we are one big family," Márcia Silva said.

Winning the Elite Employer award once again has highlighted the assertiveness of policies for involving employees in Moza's internal strategies for growth, stimulus, innovation and transformation.

As part of Mozambican Women's Day celebrations, Moza launched the Moza Women project in Maputo on Friday (12^th April), through which the bank intends to publicly convey its recognition of the importance of women in all social and development spheres in the country.

This is a project based on the Mozambican social panorama, characterised by an environment in which, despite representing the majority of the population, women continue to face difficulties in establishing themselves for a variety of reasons, including socio-cultural issues.

Through this project, Moza intends to bring together all the banking solutions aimed at women, including subsidised financing lines created specifically to boost empowerment, in a joint package that will be called Moza Women.

While the promotion of the initiatives linked to Moza Women will take place throughout this year on an ongoing basis, the project includes a social and reputational component, serving as a "public shout-out" from the Bank so that every woman knows she can count on Moza, regardless of her position, category or social status.

During the ceremony to launch the project, the Chairperson of Moza's Executive Committee, Manuel Soares, expressed his admiration for the resilience of women, particularly praising their ability to overcome obstacles.

"On a daily basis, we see Mozambican women getting up and following their dreams, undeterred by the obstacles that come their way. We see the manifestation of resilience and desire in a social group that drives the economy at various levels. And precisely because we admire and value the struggle of women, we always try to be among them," the CEO said emphasising that "at Moza, women are in every position. They lead, they make decisions, they guide and are also guided, in a clear demonstration of versatility and talent, thus contributing to placing our brand in increasingly top positions in the national financial panorama."

Through the Moza Women project, the Bank also aims to empower vulnerable women and girls, ensuring that they can dream and achieve, with Moza as one of the main foundations for realising their life goals and objectives.

For Moza, the greatest gratification that will come from this project will be the significant increase in the number of women contributing more and more to achieving the country's global and structural goals, within the framework of the struggle for economic and social development.

Today is World Down Syndrome day.

Generally speaking, people with this condition are very loving and sympathetic. They are sensitive, easily pleased and always willing to convey happiness. Kisses and intimate hugs characterise their particularly kind way of showing their affection. But does society return the affection with the same intensity?

It was with the response to this question in mind that Moza has decided to join forces with the Mozambican Association for the Support of People with Down Syndrome (APSDM), which has been developing various projects for the social and professional integration of people with this condition for over six years. This is a non-profit organisation that supports the psycho-motor development of these citizens, ensuring that they have the practical skills to take up the job opportunities that emerge on the market.

According to the President of APSDM, Ermelinda Nhantave, with the support of Moza and other partners, the association will this year implement the second phase of a training project, with certification, which will enable beneficiaries to have the aptitude to work in a variety of areas including: Human Resources, Cutting and Sewing, Hospitality, Cookery and Handicrafts.

Some of the beneficiaries of the first phase of this project are now employed in public and private institutions that have a partnership with APSDM and which, like Moza, believe in the potential of people with Down Syndrome.

"APSDM's work also involves a lot of social education to raise public awareness of the need to see people with Down syndrome as people capable of learning, knowing and doing, just like anyone else whose physical and mental condition is considered 'normal'. Seeing these people employed, with families, married and happy is, in fact, our great purpose," Ermelinda Nhantave highlighted.

In fact, as well as supporting adults of working age, the association also helps families who have children with this condition.

"Assistance, especially in the embryonic phase of growth, is extremely important for people with Down syndrome, because, just to give an example, a child with Down syndrome can already walk when properly assisted by the age of four, but when this assistance is not given, the child doesn't start walking until the age of nine or ten. As an association, we want to avoid such a delay," explained the President of APSDM, an organisation that brings together around 300 people with this condition and more than 100 with various disabilities.

In fact, 21^st March was conceived internationally to invite humanity in general to reflect on the issues surrounding people with Down syndrome.

According to the CEO of Moza Banco, Manuel Soares, Moza is marking this anniversary by once again demonstrating that it is in favour of the inclusion of all Mozambicans.

"As a Bank, we will always support causes that have noble and unifying objectives. We are a family that stands for inclusion and that's why we believe that supporting the training and professional integration of people with Down syndrome contributes to the country having even more professionals available to carry out the various professions that contribute to national development. We are all equal and that's why we should have equal opportunities," Manuel Soares said.

As a bank for Mozambicans, Moza promotes inclusion and equal opportunities for all, thus helping to build a more empathetic, resilient society that respects diversity.

About APSDM:

The Mozambican Association for the Support of People with Down Syndrome (APSDM) was created in 2018 by Mozambican journalist Ermelinda Nhantave following a particular episode that significantly marked her life. When she gave birth to her daughter seven years ago, the doctor in charge informed her that the child had been born with Down syndrome. Impacted by the news, Ermelinda carrried out exhaustive research and learnt more about the condition, its signs and its occurrence in Mozambique. However, as her daughter grew up, Nhantave realised that, in the end, the child didn't have the typical characteristics of the syndrome. Following a new medical assessment, it was discovered that, in fact, her daughter did not have Down syndrome. Even so, Ermelinda decided to make an effort to identify and support people with the condition. This gave birth to APSDM, which today brings together around 300 people with Down syndrome in Mozambique. The association works to offer support and improve the quality of life for these individuals and their families.