In January this year, three young Mozambicans began a journey of professional development through the FNB Young Talent Development Programme, launched by FNB Mozambique.

This programme aims to identify, attract and train young local talent for a successful career in the banking sector, with a focus on innovation, technology and a deep understanding of the financial market. The initiative, which will last 12 months, was implemented by the FirstRand Group and covers several of the bank's subsidiaries in countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Zambia.

The first edition of the programme selected three young graduates aged between 23 and 29. Emerson Carlos Tivane, @Agostinho Massango and Niels Achimo, graduates in Computer Engineering and Data Science, were selected from more than 300 candidates who went through a rigorous selection process that included interviews, aptitude tests and group dynamics.

For these young people, the opportunity to join FNB is an important milestone in their careers, offering them a unique platform to grow professionally.

The initiative goes well beyond practical training in the banking sector, providing graduates with an international experience. During the first part of the programme, the young people took part in an event in South Africa, where they had the opportunity to interact with young graduates from other countries, thus broadening their perspectives and acquiring valuable knowledge about the banking sector.

Niels Achimo, one of the graduates, emphasised the importance of this exchange of experiences and was very grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in this journey.

"When we had the opportunity to go to South Africa to interact with colleagues from other subsidiaries, it was very good for me. I want to make the most of this opportunity to develop not only my technical skills, but also my personal abilities," he says.

Graduates' objectives and expectations of the programme

The main aim of the FNB Young Talent Development Programme is to prepare graduates to work in various areas of banking, such as finance, risk management and technological innovation. The programme seeks not only to train professionals, but also to bring new perspectives to the institution.

Agostinho Massango, another graduate, emphasised the importance of cultural exchange and team learning during his induction in South Africa.

"It was a very professional experience. The exchange with other colleagues was very interesting, because there I learnt that we should work on our personal skills, create our brand. As for my expectations of the programme, I hope to grow as a professional and learn as much as I can about banking, while also applying the knowledge I gained as a student."

FNB's strategy and technological innovation for graduates

One of FNB Moçambique's goals is to expand its presence and interact more efficiently with its customers, given the growing digitalisation of banking. This is why the programme places special emphasis on technology and digital innovation, in line with the bank's strategy of adapting to new market trends.

Emerson Tivane, for his part, emphasised his desire to contribute to improvements in FNB's banking processes, focusing on the customer experience.

"We sometimes see customers complaining about bank services, especially when opening accounts or visiting branches to make deposits. This is not because banks don't offer good services, but because of the processes involved behind these operations. However, I always believe that we can improve, and I hope to be able to do so. For example, in the process of opening accounts, we can develop ways to speed up the process and thus improve the customer experience," he points out.

According to Melba Jorge Nhamithambo, FNB's Director of Human Capital, in order to ensure a better understanding of how the banking sector works and to provide practical exposure, the graduates will go through various areas of the bank, including the branches. As is customary in the sector, ‘banking starts at the branches’, so in the first two weeks of the programme, the graduates were challenged to go through this fundamental stage. They had the experience of interacting directly with customers, understanding the processes of opening accounts and other essential banking services.

‘This experience in the branches is crucial for them to have a complete overview of how banking operations take place, preparing them to face the challenges of the sector in a more informed and efficient way.’

Graduates' contribution to FNB's future

The impact that graduates can generate within FNB is not only limited to the learning they will acquire but also to the new ideas they can bring to the institution. Niels Achino, for example, believes that his fresh and inquisitive vision can contribute significantly to the bank's evolution.

"Whenever I see something for the first time, I try to question it and identify things that perhaps people who have been with the bank longer haven't been able to spot. This makes me believe that I can contribute with my ideas, proposing new ways of doing things to further improve the dynamics and quality of the services provided by the bank," concluded the young man.

The FNB Young Talent Development programme is a platform for young Mozambican talent looking to stand out and develop careers in the banking sector, especially in a market increasingly marked by new technologies.

With FNB's support, the graduates are being prepared to contribute to the Bank's evolution, bringing new ideas and perspectives and a vision characterised by innovation.