The network of automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals continues to lose ground in Mozambique, while electronic money services are emerging as the main driver of financial inclusion in the country, according to data from the Bank of Mozambique (BdM) released in the 2025 Financial Inclusion Report.
According to the document, cited by Lusa, Mozambique had 482,359 access points to financial services in 2025, a 36% increase compared to 2024. The increase was driven primarily by the expansion of non-bank agents linked to Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs).
At the end of 2025, the country had 446,604 non-bank agents, compared to 315,005 the previous year, representing a 41.8% increase. These agents, who provide services via mobile phone, have become the primary channel for accessing financial services.
In contrast, the traditional network saw a decline. The number of ATMs fell from 1,391 to 1,383, while POS terminals decreased from 35,486 to 32,236, a 9.2% reduction.
“The year 2025 was marked by a continued positive trend in financial inclusion, driven by digitalization and the further expansion of services offered by electronic money institutions (EMIs),” states the BdM report, highlighting the growing importance of digital channels.
According to the central bank, the expansion of electronic money agents represents a structural shift in how Mozambicans access financial services, with mobile digital solutions gradually replacing part of the traditional banking infrastructure. The reduction in POS terminals is primarily due to the decommissioning of inactive terminals deemed unprofitable.
The growth in e-money accounts also outpaced that of traditional banking. In 2025, the number of accounts at e-money institutions reached 1,313 per 1,000 adults, up 20% from 1,093 in 2024, while bank accounts grew by only 2%, rising from 330 to 337 per 1,000 adults.
Among women, the increase was even more significant, with e-money account ownership growing by 24%, rising from 924 to 1,144 per 1,000 adult women. However, inequality in access to credit persists, with female participation rising from 31% to 34%, while male participation increased from 59% to 66%.
The report also highlights improvements in financial coverage in provinces with a smaller banking presence, such as Niassa, Cabo Delgado, and Zambézia. In Cabo Delgado, the Financial Inclusion Index rose from 23.3 to 25.8 points, while MFI accounts increased from 835 to 1,081 per 1,000 adults. Despite the expansion of digital services, the national index remained at 36.4 points, which the BdM considers moderate.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article:https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/07/24/economia/banca/relatorio-do-banco-central-aponta-perda-de-espaco-dos-atm-e-pos-face-a-moeda-electronica/
