Mozambique President, Joaquim Chissano, has appointed Finance Minister, Luisa Diogo, as the country's new Prime Minister (17 Feb 2004). Luisa Diogo graduated from the University of London in 1992 with an MSc in Financial Economics. She was one of the first students to study for the postgraduate degree through the University's External Programme.
Diogo's appointment is being heralded as the beginning of a new generation of leaders. She was born in 1958 and is now just 46 years old. She takes over from 60-year-old Pascoal Mocumbi, relieved from post at his own request in order to take up a senior position with an international medical body. Diogo will combine the posts of Prime Minister and Finance Minister.
Forbes lists Luisa Diogo as the 73rd most powerful woman (external link) in the world.
Education: Diogo is from the western province of Tete and attended primary school at Dona Maria in Tete city until 1970. She went on to study at the Tete Commercial School until 1974. Completing her mid-level education after independence at the Maputo Commercial Institute, she studied economics at Maputo's Eduardo Mondlane University. She obtained her bachelor's degree in 1983. Diogo graduated in 1992 with a masters degree in Financial Economics from the University of London.
Professional Career: Diogo began working in the Finance Ministry in 1980 and became a department head in 1986. Between 1989 and 1992 she was National Budget Director. From 1993-1994, Diogo was World Bank Programme Officer in Mozambique. After the 1994 general elections, she accepted Chissano's invitation to leave the World Bank and join the government as Deputy Finance Minister. She was promoted to full minister after the December 1999 elections.
Diogo is married to one of the country's top lawyers, Albano Silva, and they have three children.