Mozambique's Ministry of Finance convened a public consultation debate in Maputo on the proposal to create the Mozambique Development Bank (Banco de Desenvolvimento de Moçambique, BDM), a presidential initiative intended to strengthen the national financial system and support sustainable economic growth. The session formed part of the ongoing consultation process on the model and functions the future bank should perform in the economy. Finance Minister Carla Loveira linked the project to the National Development Strategy 2025–2044 and the Government Five-Year Plan 2025–2029, positioning the bank as a mechanism to mobilise domestic and international capital for structural projects in agriculture, health, education, industry, housing and information technologies. The proposed mandate includes addressing market failures by expanding access to medium- and long-term credit, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, diversifying funding sources and reducing foreign-exchange risk through the use of local currency. Loveira cited constraints including limited access to credit, market concentration among a few institutions, and a non-performing loan ratio of 8.24% compared with an international limit of 5%, while Maputo’s municipal representatives and the city’s Secretary of State underscored the role of the BDM in financing priority and social-impact projects and indicated support for its implementation.

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