Maputo, Aug. 29, 2025 (Lusa) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has made €10 million available to support small and medium-sized businesses led by women in Mozambique, Moza Banco, the Mozambican banking institution that will manage the fund, announced on Friday.

In a statement, Moza Banco said that the money from the EIB is to support small and medium-sized enterprises owned by women operating in the industry, transport, agriculture, health and services sectors and is part of the ‘Moza Women’ project, the bank's initiative dedicated to sustainable economic growth and gender equality in the country.

Financing for companies is conditional on their ‘strong female representation’ in management, share capital, workforce, as well as the nature of the products and services offered and that ‘promote female empowerment’.

Moza Banco says that the funding will reduce barriers to accessing financial resources and encourage investment, business expansion and consolidation, according to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mozambican bank.

"We have taken on the mission of making a difference every day, contributing to Mozambique's success. The EIB line, created in partnership with the European Investment Bank, is more than financial support: it is an empowerment movement that puts women at the centre of economic and social development," said Manuel Soares, quoted in a statement from the bank.

Moza Banco is 66% owned by Kuhanha - Sociedade Gestora do Fundo de Pensões dos Trabalhadores do Banco Central de Moçambique, followed by Arise B.V., with 30.7%, among other shareholders.

PME/ADB // ADB.

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