Approval of Prudential Regulatory Instruments by the Bank of Mozambique

Notices No. 5/GBM/2025, No. 6/GBM/2025, No. 7/GBM/2025

On 21 October 2025, the Bank of Mozambique issued Notices No. 5/GBM/2025, No. 6/GBM/2025 and No. 7/GBM/2025, which aim, respectively, to: establish the terms for sending the information necessary for compiling statistics on emissions, transactions and securities positions, distribution of the network of branches of credit institutions and financial companies, interest rates in the system, loans and deposits, the external sector and the National Payment System; to approve the Climate Risk Management Guidelines; and to define the guidelines on the policy of equitable access to and use of financial products and services.

1.      Notice No. 5/GBM/2025

The Notice arises from the need to broaden the statistical information base with a view to monitoring the various forms of fund transfers between resident and non-resident economic agents

and non-resident economic agents, as well as the volumes, values, instruments and payment obligations and the evolution of the national financial system.

1.1.  Scope

 The Notice applies to:

a)      Credit institutions and financial companies;

b)      To participants in the National Payment System.

c)      Public or private legal persons subject to foreign exchange legislation.

1.2. Reporting obligations

Institutions covered by the Notice must submit information electronically to the Bank of Mozambique, observing the applicable frequency (monthly, quarterly or annually). The report must be detailed, complete and structured, including:

a)      Securities by investor and country of residence;

b)      Network of branches, banking agents, ATMs, POS and digital services;

c)      Customers, accounts, cards and mobile/internet banking transactions;

d)      Intrabank transactions, SWIFT, remittances, fraud and service unavailability;

e)      Detailed interest rates by type of transaction and customer;

f)       Loans and deposits by sector, purpose, gender, age group and region;

g)      Foreign exchange transactions, imports/exports, capital transfers, CDIS and balance of payments.

h)      Data relating to persons with special needs, by type of product or service.

Entities must provide, whenever requested by the Bank of Mozambique, clarifications or additional information on the data reported.

1.2.  Entry into force

The Notice shall enter into force ninety days after the date of its publication, i.e. on 21 January 2026.

2.      Notice No. 6/GBM/2025

The notice arises from the need to establish guidelines for the incorporation of mechanisms for managing and mitigating the impact of climate risks on financial institutions, affecting financial and non-financial risks.

2.1.  Scope

The Notice applies to credit institutions, financial companies and other institutions supervised by the Bank of Mozambique, hereinafter referred to as "institutions".

2.2.  Climate risk management

Institutions must:

a)      Identify, measure, control and monitor physical and transition risks that impact results, capital and liquidity.

b)      Adopt a strategic approach, aligned with risk appetite and internal policies.

c)      Incorporate climate risks into the Risk Management Programme approved by Notice No. 4/GBM/2013.

2.3.  Governance structure

The Notice establishes governance responsibility for climate risk management.It includes:

a)      Competencies of the governing body: approve policies, set limits, supervise and receive reports;

b)      Top management responsibilities: implementing policies, internal controls, reporting systems and resource allocation;

c)      Role of internal audit: verify the effectiveness of the climate risk management programme.

2.4.  Internal Control and Policies

The Notice defines the need for structured internal frameworks and formal policies:

a)      Implementation of the three lines of defence model;

b)      Written policies and procedures for identifying, measuring and mitigating climate risks;

c)      Annual review of climate risk tolerance;

d)      Establishment of metrics for technical and executive reporting.

2.5.  Disclosure of Information

Institutions must disclose information on climate risks with an impact on financial and non-financial risks in their market discipline reports.

2.6.  Entry into force

The Notice shall enter into force 180 days after the date of its publication.

3.      Notice No. 7/GBM/2025

The Notice arises from the need to establish guidelines to promote financial inclusion with gender equality, ensuring that men and women have equal opportunities to access and use financial products and services, contributing to reducing inequalities and increasing female participation in the productive sector.

3.1.  Scope

The Notice applies to credit institutions, financial companies and microfinance operators, covering all branches and service channels, including agents and representatives.

3.2.  Policy on Equitable Access to and Use of Financial Products and Services

Under the Notice, institutions must:

a)      Approve and implement policies that ensure gender equality in access to financial products and services;

b)      Appoint an internal officer (Women Champion) to monitor and oversee the implementation of these policies;

c)      Develop financial products tailored to women's needs, simplicity, flexibility, digital inclusion and sustainability;

d)      Ensure financial education, training, and engagement strategies to increase women's active use of products.

3.3.  Monitoring and Reporting

Institutions should:

a)      Prepare publicly available annual monitoring reports on progress in gender financial inclusion;

b)      Send the report to the Bank of Mozambique by 31 March each year.

In turn, the Bank of Mozambique will consolidate and publish an annual report on the promotion of financial inclusion with a focus on gender.

3.4.  Penalty Regime

Violation of the provisions of the Notice constitutes a misdemeanour punishable under Law No. 20/2020 of 31 December, the Law on Credit Institutions and Financial Companies.

3.5.  Entry into force

The Notice shall enter into force ninety days after the date of its publication, i.e. on 21 January 2026.

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