Today (12 August), the Governor of the Banco de Moçambique, Rogério Zandamela, chaired the 7th Meeting with Branch Directors, held in the Municipal Town of Metangula, Niassa Province.

In his opening remarks, the Governor said that the meetings with branch directors, launched in 2018, are aimed at strengthening coordination between the Banco de Moçambique’s headquarters and its branches, while ensuring increasingly coordinated implementation of the central bank’s mandate.

Moreover, Rogério Zandamela stressed that the branches “are not merely territorial representation units, but strategic extensions of the Banco de Moçambique, vital to ensuring the Bank’s institutional presence, cash management, the collection of economic and financial information, coordination with local stakeholders, and the implementation of the Board of Directors’ guidance on the ground,” he said.

Highlighting the strategic importance of the meeting with branch directors in improving management processes, Rogério Zandamela pointed to several reforms implemented by the Banco de Moçambique as a result of these meetings, namely the review of the standard staffing framework and procedures manual, improvements to the staff recruitment model, and the delegation of greater authority to the branches.

Other achievements highlighted by the Governor include the modernisation of vaults, automation of processes, enhancement of security mechanisms, infrastructure maintenance and the introduction of new technological solutions, as well as an improved capacity to anticipate operational challenges and address them in a coordinated manner.

Rogério Zandamela also referred to the topics to be presented during the meeting, namely “Modernisation of Cash Cycle Management,” by Edmundo Juvane, Director of the Currency Issuance and Treasury Department, and “Impact of Digital Transformation on the National Payment System,” to be presented by Gabriel Massinga, Director of the Banking Services and Payment Systems Department.

According to Rogério Zandamela, modernising the cash cycle is a strategic priority for the Banco de Moçambique, which is committed to ensuring that good-quality banknotes and coins reach all parts of the country safely, efficiently and reliably. Branches play a pivotal role in this process, given their proximity to credit institutions and their first-hand knowledge of local economic conditions.

Turning to the second topic, concerning the digital transformation of the National Payment System, the Governor said that Mozambique “is building a faster, safer, more innovative and inclusive payment system.” As evidence of this progress, he highlighted the adoption of real-time settlement systems, the consolidation of SIMOrede, advances in interoperability, the recent launch of METIX and the expansion of digital channels, which have been driving financial inclusion.

Before wrapping up, Rogério Zandamela encouraged branch directors to carry out “their mission with a strong sense of responsibility, leadership, and service,” stressing that “the branches are the eyes and ears of the Banco de Moçambique on the ground”.

Furthermore, Jamal Omar, Board Member responsible for Banking Operations, Currency Issuance, and Payment Systems Oversight, and the Director of the Lichinga Branch echoed Governor Rogério Zandamela’s remarks, underscoring the importance of the forum as a management tool.

Jamal Omar added that the meeting provides a valuable opportunity for open discussion of matters of common interest, closer coordination among branch directors, and the continued improvement of working processes.

On the sidelines of the 7th Meeting with Branch Directors, Rogério Zandamela held courtesy meetings with the Administrator of Lago District, José Assane, and the President of the Municipal Council of Metangula, Paulo Chicomaussico.

Also in attendance at the event were the branch directors and Paula Libombo, adviser to the Governor of the Banco de Moçambique.