In an exclusive interview with Profile, Germano Nhabinde, Head of Treasury Capital Management at Standard Bank, shares his vision of the CFO (Finance Executive Summit), a global event that promotes the exchange of knowledge between finance professionals, highlighting the importance of ethics and governance in financial leadership.
Nhabinde, discusses the specific challenges faced by CFOs in Mozambique and explores the growing role of the CFO in integrating ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices in the financial sector, stressing the importance of compliance with international standards and continuous development to achieve excellence in business management.
Profile Mozambique: Who is Germano Nhabinde?
Germano Nhabinde: I am a professional specialized in accounting and finance, with a career that began at British American Tobacco, a multinational company where I acquired extensive experience in various areas of accounting and finance.
For six years, I developed skills in financial reporting, controlling, management accounting and financial accounting. Later, I was invited to join Standard Bank Mozambique, where I worked in three roles: financial control, Asset and Liability Management, and currently as Director of Treasury and Capital Management. I believe in continuous development as an essential factor in achieving excellence in business management.
PM: What is the main objective of the CFO or Finance Executives Summit?
GN: The CFO, also known as the Finance Executives Summit, is a global community of finance professionals, especially CFOs, who come together to exchange ideas and share experiences.
This concept exists in many parts of the world. Although I didn’t know it was being launched here, the model is already replicated in several countries, such as South Africa. Huruda D’Castro, who is leading this process, maintains contact with other international communities. The central proposal is to create a platform for mutual learning and knowledge exchange.
PM: What was your thematic contribution to the CFO Forum?
GN: At this Finance Executives Summit, I addressed the topic of ethics and governance in financial leadership, a crucial topic for financial managers, who are often seen as the guardians of shareholder value.
To create value in a sustainable way, it is essential to operate within ethical standards and follow best governance practices. This includes strict compliance with laws, policies and procedures, as well as adopting international standards at various levels.
International certifications in accounting and finance are especially a relevant requirement for professionals operating in a multinational environment, whose transparency and comparability are fundamental to the global market.
PM: What challenges and opportunities do CFOs encounter in the Mozambican context, looking at the current situation?
GN: I believe that one of the main challenges is the issue of training. During the workshop, the importance of international certification was widely discussed. To be recognized as an accounting or finance professional, it is essential to have solid training.
In multinational environments, especially in leadership positions, it is common for this qualification to be required. Companies are looking for professionals who meet international standards of competence, ensuring that they can trust the individual to protect their assets.
PM: There has been loud talk about the impacts that can arise from exchange rate variations. How does exchange rate volatility impact Mozambican companies, especially those dependent on imports?
GN: Recently, there has been an increase in discussions about the risks associated with exchange rate volatility in Mozambique. In the last two to three years, we have seen a certain stability in the exchange rate. However, exchange rate risk remains a concern for an importing country like ours.
When there are significant fluctuations, this directly impacts businesses and companies, especially those with costs indexed to foreign currencies. Examples such as Malawi and Nigeria, where currencies have devalued by more than 50%, illustrate how such instability can drastically affect the value of importing companies. In Mozambique, this exposure to exchange rate risk is almost unavoidable in the current conditions of a mainly importing country.
PM: How does the CFO play a crucial role in integrating ESG practices into the financial sector?
GN: Throughout the discussions, it became clear that the role of the CFO is increasingly intertwined with compliance and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices. ESG is currently a central theme, especially in the financial sector.
Regulators around the world require banks to adopt ESG standards, which includes financing sustainable projects and reducing support for activities that negatively impact the environment. While complying with these requirements comes at a cost, it can also add value to companies, positioning CFOs as leaders in promoting more responsible and sustainable business.
