Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) was the company that paid the most dividends to the state shareholder in 2023, in the order of 4,643.3 million meticais, according to last year's Balance of the Economic and Social Plan and State Budget (PESOE), made public recently.

The value of the 2023 dividend represents an increase of 42.5% compared to the previous year, in other words, the cake distributed to the state grew in absolute terms by 1.384 million meticais in one year, reports RM quoting the document.

HCB's contribution constitutes half (50%) of the dividends paid out by the State Business Sector, ahead of the companies Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) - 1,382.2 million meticais -, Companhia Moçambicana de Papeline - 1,250.6 million meticais - and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) - 577.7 million meticais.

Another indicator that demonstrates HCB's robustness is concession revenue, with the company contributing the most significant amount.

According to the document, the energy production company paid 2,323.9 million meticais, an increase of 37.8% compared to 2022.

The total concession revenue accounts for 44%, followed by Sociedade de Desenvolvimento do Porto de Maputo (MPDC) - 24% - and Corredor de Desenvolvimento do Norte - 9.3%.

In an interaction with Tomás Matola, Chairman of HCB's Board of Directors, he assured that "the company's contributions in 2024 will be even greater, largely due to the forecast net results for 2023, which could be historic records with structural impacts on dividends and the concession fee".