BCI reinforces its commitment to the economic empowerment of women

BCI reaffirmed its commitment to the economic empowerment of women, highlighting financing, market access, and integration into value chains as essential factors in transforming women's economic potential into concrete opportunities for income generation and development. This position was shared during the VIII National Conference on Women and Gender, held on September 9th and 10th in Maputo, which brought together more than 500 women from different parts of the country, representatives of national institutions, cooperation partners, and international panelists.

As a sponsor of the Conference, the Bank participated in the panel dedicated to the theme "Economic Empowerment through Rural Value Chains and Climate Resilience - Policies, Financing and Market Access", bringing to the debate the perspective of the financial sector on ways to increase women's participation in the economy.

Representing BCI, Maiasse de Deus, the Bank's Women Champion and Director of the Trading Room Office, highlighted the importance of creating conditions so that more women have access not only to financing, but also to instruments, markets and opportunities that allow them to develop sustainable and competitive businesses.

In this context, BCI's experience in financing agribusiness was highlighted, a sector in which the Bank has been active for over two decades, supporting different stakeholders and phases of the production cycles. In a country where women play a key role in agricultural production, processing and marketing, facilitating access to financial resources also means creating conditions to generate income, employment and greater dynamism in local economies.

Among the instruments presented are the Mutual Guarantee Fund, the BCI Sustainable Credit Line, the BCI-FINOVA Agribusiness Credit Line, and FECOP - the Portuguese Cooperation Business Fund, designed to meet the diverse needs of companies and projects, including initiatives related to value chains and sustainability.

Held around the themes of "Zero Violence" and "Liberation from Poverty," the VIII National Conference on Women and Gender provided a platform for dialogue and reflection on the challenges that still hinder the full participation of women in the economy and development of the country.

By joining this initiative, in a year in which it celebrates 30 years of presence and commitment to Mozambique, BCI reaffirms a conviction that runs throughout its history: promoting the economic autonomy of women means strengthening the productive capacity of families, energizing communities and contributing to the construction of increasingly inclusive and sustainable development.