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BCI, headquartered in Maputo, Mozambique wins an Achievement in CSR award for its innovative use of a system that captures funds for social purposes every time the bank’s daki debit cards are used. With no extra cost to the customer, a percentage of each transaction is put towards worthy causes.
In January the bank was able to make a substantial donation to flood victims in northern Mozambique from the proceeds of this fund.
“The social dimension of the bank’s role is more than a buzzword. It is a commitment that is publicly assumed and enshrined in our mission. We want to contribute actively to the economic and social development of Mozambique in a socially responsible and sustainable way,” says CEO Paulo Sousa.
Aside from the daki card, BCI is involved in two big projects at the moment, the restoration of the Gorongosa National Park and a scheme called ‘Rebuilding Mozambique’.
Within the national park residents live in poor conditions, something the bank is hoping to change.
“Providing education for children and young people of these communities means providing them with the tools for a brighter future in a labour market which is increasingly competitive and therefore more demanding,” explains Sousa. “This programme aims to empower young people to enter new professions and keep them away from the illegal actions that destroy the natural resources of the park.”
In August as part of the Rebuilding Mozambique project, BCI was a partner in the restoration of a kindergarten in a poor area of the city of Maputo. The Inhagoia kindergarten was in an advanced state of disrepair, says Sousa, but it was restored and now provides safe learning conditions for the children of the neighbourhood. During the restoration work, which lasted three months, about 20 members of the community were given jobs, which also eased the unemployment problem in the area.
The part of the bank’s CSR programme of which Sousa is most proud is the building of a network of Mediatecas (media libraries). These spaces consist of a reading area and an audiovisual space. Users can also access the internet. Currently, BCI has three Mediatecas in Maputo, Beira and Nampula.
The public response to the media libraries has been positive. By December 2014, the Mediateca of Maputo received more than 640,000 visitors, Beira more than 290,000 and Nampula 13,000.
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“The social dimension of the bank’s role is a commitment that is publicly assumed and enshrined in our |
