MAPUTO, Sept 1 – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has appointed Waldemar Fernando de Sousa as Governor of the Bank of Mozambique, replacing Rogerio Zandamela after eight years at the helm of the country’s central bank.
President Daniel Chapo also appointed Felisberto Dinis Navalha as Deputy Governor. The two officials are scheduled to be sworn in on Wednesday, September 2, at a ceremony chaired by President Chapo at his office in Maputo.
De Sousa succeeds Zandamela, who served as Governor of the Bank of Mozambique from August 2016 through August 2026. His appointment places De Sousa at the centre of Mozambique’s monetary and financial policy at a time when the central bank continues to play a key role in maintaining economic and financial stability.
As Governor, De Sousa will chair the central bank’s board of directors and represent the institution before the Mozambican government as well as domestic and international organisations. He will also oversee the bank’s senior management and its activities.
Navalha, as Deputy Governor, will serve on the board of directors and assume the governor’s responsibilities in the event of his absence or incapacity. He will also carry out other functions assigned or delegated to him under Mozambican law.
The Bank of Mozambique is responsible for several core functions within the country’s financial system. These include conducting monetary and exchange-rate policy, managing Mozambique’s foreign assets and supervising financial institutions.
The change in leadership therefore comes with significant responsibilities for the incoming governor, whose mandate will include overseeing the central bank’s approach to monetary stability, foreign-exchange management and financial-sector supervision.
De Sousa and Navalha’s formal swearing-in on September 2 will mark the beginning of their respective mandates and the start of a new leadership period at Mozambique’s central bank.
