Luísa Dias Diogo, former Prime Minister of Mozambique, has died in Portugal at the age of 67, after a long illness. She died at the Champalimaud Clinical Centre, where she had been in hospital for several months for medical treatment. Her death closes a singular chapter in Mozambique's recent history.
An economist by training and a leading figure of the Frelimo Party, Luísa Diogo was the first woman to hold the posts of Minister of Planning and Finance and, later, Prime Minister, leaving a firm mark on the national political and economic landscape. Her work was decisive for macroeconomic stability in a period of particular demands for the consolidation of public finances and State institutions.
A native of Tete province, she built a career that extended beyond politics. In recent years, she chaired the Board of Directors of Absa Bank Mozambique, reaffirming her importance in the financial sector. She was distinguished by her technical rigour, strategic clarity and a strong sense of public responsibility — qualities that earned her respect across the board in Mozambique and abroad.
Recognised by Forbes magazine as one of the most influential women in the world and singled out by Time Magazine among the 100 most influential people globally, Luísa Diogo was a tireless voice for gender equality, having taken part in several United Nations forums and panels, where she advocated inclusive development policies and strengthening the role of women in decision-making spaces.
Her passing is a profound loss for the country, especially for Mozambican women, who found in her a symbol of competence, firmness and leadership. Her legacy lives on, as an example for future generations.
Xonguila Magazine extends its heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
