Crown Agents Bank’s trade finance initiative in Mozambique exemplifies the transformative power of financial inclusion and the absolute importance of providing the most vulnerable communities access to the global financial system. Faced with the dual pressures of grain shortages and a strained global financial system unwilling to facilitate local demand, Mozambique found itself in a humanitarian crisis in large part caused by financial exclusion. While Crown Agents Bank addressed an immediate emergency, it also strengthened a new pathway into the global financial system for institutions and communities that have long been left behind by other Western financial institutions.
10
Mozambique's population faces acute food insecurity
22
Million dollars trade finance to facilitate the importation
60000
Metric tons of grain was delivered into Mozambique
380000
Mozambicans had access to their daily nutritional needs
Awards
Won the Digital Banker: Global Sustainability Finance Awards 2025
Outstanding sustainable finance – trade finance initiative category
Shortlisted at the GTR Leaders in Trade Finance Awards 2025
ESG category
Shortlisted at the PAY360 Awards 2025
Best ESG Initiative
Background
Ten percent of Mozambique’s population faces acute food insecurity, meaning they are unaware where their next meal will come from. A collaborative partnership between FCB Mozambique, local industry and global grain exporters sought the support of Crown Agents Bank trade finance solutions to facilitate the financing of grain imports, aiming to elevate significantly more Mozambicans out of food insecurity and expand trade finance opportunities.
Facilitating grain importation
Over the previous year, Crown Agents Bank Trade Finance successfully provided financing that helped over 380,000 more people in Mozambique gain access to sufficient grain to meet their daily dietary requirements, creating a substantial, positive social impact. The financing enabled more than 60,000MT of grain, imported from all over the world to be sourced to alleviate shortages faced in the region. This achievement is significant given the global instability in grain transactions, largely due to ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, creating an increasingly risk adverse operating environment.
Crown Agents Bank’s value
Through direct relationships, Crown Agents Bank have the network, knowledge, language skills and experience to successfully operate in Mozambique and other African markets. This capability is what enables successful trade flows, and delivers direct positive impact in communities, with more than $22 million USD in credit provided.
Strengthening trade finance partnerships
Crown Agents Bank has cultivated trade finance partnerships that empower smaller groups to participate in trade finance. These efforts have created opportunities for more Mozambican communities to engage with the global economy. By enabling economic diversification in an emerging market, Crown Agents Bank is helping to reduce single produce dependency and deliver mass social benefit. Crown Agents Bank take pride in supporting communities in Mozambique by providing financing for essential grain needed to feed families. Such targeted trade finance partnerships help enable increased opportunity for the communities to connect into the global economy