On 18 May 2026, First Capital Bank officially handed over 210 school desks to Graça Machel Community School in Ponta do Ouro, Matutuíne District, Maputo Province, in an initiative that reflects its commitment to promoting education and community development.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of First Capital Bank, the school management, teachers, students, and invited guests, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between different stakeholders in promoting better learning conditions for students in the community.

Graça Machel Community School, under the patronage of Elias Sibia and Sandra Sibia, plays an important role in expanding access to secondary education in the region, bringing education closer to families and reducing the distances travelled by students. It is a community initiative aimed at strengthening access to education and supporting the development of local youth.

The school management’s address was delivered by the Pedagogical Director, Dr. Zefanias Comé, who expressed gratitude for the support provided and highlighted the importance of the contribution towards improving students’ learning conditions, stating:
“The school is our house of knowledge, where we shape the future of the country. The delivery of these school desks represents an investment in the future of our students and reinforces the hope that education continues to open doors to new opportunities.”

This was followed by remarks from Dr. Carlos Henriques, Non-Executive Director of First Capital Bank and a resident member of the Ponta do Ouro community, who provided context regarding the establishment of the school and referred to some of the challenges faced throughout the process. He also highlighted the support provided by First Capital Bank, underlining the Bank’s essential contribution, particularly through the donation of desks, towards improving the school’s conditions and the quality of the learning environment.

In his address, the Chief Executive Officer of First Capital Bank, Dr. João Rodrigues, emphasized the importance of education as an instrument of social transformation and reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to community development, stating:
“We believe that investing in education is investing in the future of communities. The delivery of these desks reflects our commitment to creating better learning conditions, as well as enhancing student motivation and performance.”

He further reinforced that First Capital Bank seeks to play an active role in the country’s social development beyond its financial activities, by supporting initiatives that have a positive impact on the communities in which it operates.

The ceremony included the reading of a message of appreciation by the students, cultural performances presented by them, as well as the symbolic handover of the desks to the school. First Capital Bank therefore reaffirms its commitment to social responsibility and to implementing initiatives that contribute to the development of education, youth, and social inclusion in Mozambique.