The Bank of Mozambique (BdM) reported that fewer cheques are circulating in the country: in 2025, issuance fell by 25% to 810,000, down from 932,000 registered in 2024. In its report on the National Payment System, the institution added that this trend is linked to the growth of faster electronic transfers.
“The continuous modernization of settlement systems has influenced the use of traditional interbank payment instruments,” the document quoted by Lusa states, noting that last year, issued cheques accounted for a movement of €3.2 billion, compared to €3.8 billion in 2024.
According to the central bank, the incidence of bounced cheques also declined in 2025, falling by 7.55%, from 3,110 clients to 2,880. There was also a reduction in the number of clients listed in the “blacklist” (−12.67%) and the “primary list” (−3.55%) compared to 2024.
In addition to cheques, traditional Interbank Electronic Transfers (TEI) also fell by 13.2% in 2025, to 2.477 million operations, worth €5.8 billion.
“The reduction in TEI reflects the consolidation of real-time settlement platforms, especially the Real-Time Gross Settlement System, as well as strengthened interoperability through the SIMO network. These advances have encouraged, among other things, migration to instant transfers, progressively reducing the use of traditional payment instruments,” the BdM explained.
In March, the Bank of Mozambique launched the Instant Payments System called Metix, a platform that allows interbank transfers between individuals in a few seconds and free of charge, announced central bank governor Rogério Zandamela.
According to the governor, the new mechanism addresses remaining challenges in the National Payment System, particularly regarding speed, convenience, and the cost of retail interbank transactions.
With Metix in operation, funds are made available immediately, allowing transfers between banks to be completed in seconds without fees for users.
The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and can be accessed via websites, mobile apps, or USSD channels provided by banks. The latter allows access through any type of mobile phone, even without internet or mobile data.
For Rogério Zandamela, the system creates conditions for citizens to carry out interbank transactions in a simpler, faster, and more affordable way, contributing to a safer, more inclusive, and more modern financial environment.
He also explained that the name Metix was chosen because it is easy to pronounce and refers to the metical, Mozambique’s national currency, while also reflecting the speed and convenience enabled by technological advances in financial transactions.
Source: Diário Económico
