BCI and BIOFUND renew partnership for biodiversity conservation in Mozambique

On Monday (9), the Commercial and Investment Bank (BCI) and the Foundation for Biodiversity Conservation (BIOFUND) signed an addendum at BCI Headquarters in Maputo to continue a shared vision that, for more than eight years, has transformed an everyday banking instrument into a vehicle for environmental citizenship with the Bio Card, a means of payment that has allowed part of the revenue from annual fees and transactions to be channeled to biodiversity conservation projects in the country. The Bio Card is a common banking solution, but with a significant difference: when used daily, part of the value is converted into funding for environmental projects in Mozambique, making each POS purchase help protect nature. The resources generated have already supported initiatives such as the protection of rhinoceroses and sea turtles, the preservation of a rare palm tree in the Bobole Botanical Reserve, the monitoring of sea turtles, and the reduction of conflicts between elephants and communities in Moamba, demonstrating how a simple gesture can have a direct positive impact on biodiversity conservation and the well-being of communities.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee of BCI, Francisco Costa, reaffirmed that the partnership constitutes an important pillar of the Bank's social responsibility strategy. "It is a partnership that we want to continue to develop and maintain, and that we wish to see grow, hand in hand, with BIOFUND," he stated, underlining the importance of protecting Mozambique's vast biodiversity. Francisco Costa highlighted The three central challenges of the cooperation agreement now signed are: BCI's commitment to increasing the card's user base to generate more resources for conservation; BIOFUND's responsibility to ensure the effective impact of these funds; and the collective, but above all local, challenge of harmonizing environmental conservation with the acceptance and well-being of communities. "We are the silent and distant partners, but we want, as far as possible, to be as close as possible and continue to support," he stressed.

In turn, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of BIOFUND, Carlos dos Santos, praised the maturity and solidity of the cooperation, stating that the addendum “updates the relationship between the parties, consolidates duties of transparency and integrity, and reinforces environmental and social safeguards,It provides mechanisms for risk and complaint management."And it explicitly outlines contributions and responsibilities that provide predictability and solidity to the partnership." Carlos dos Santos also highlighted the transformative role of the initiative, which has already raised more than 37 million meticais and has more than 45,000 users, allowing support for projects ranging from the protection of endangered species to the mitigation of conflicts between communities and wildlife.

With the renewal of this partnership, BCI and BIOFUND reinforce their commitment to environmental conservation, demonstrating that the financial sector can be a strategic ally for the common good and that every citizen, through their daily choices, can be part of this cause.