January 2026, Club de Madrid Members, Advisors, and the Secretariat are deeply saddened by the passing of Luisa Dias Diogo, former Prime Minister of Mozambique and a valued Member of Club de Madrid.
Prime Minister Diogo was a trailblazing leader whose life and public service embodied a profound commitment to inclusive development, economic reform, and the advancement of women in political leadership. As the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Mozambique, she broke historic barriers and opened new paths for women across Africa and beyond, demonstrating that effective leadership and gender equality go hand in hand.
Before assuming the premiership, Prime Minister Diogo served as Minister of Planning and Finance, where she played a decisive role in shaping Mozambique’s economic transformation. During this period, she led critical reforms aimed at combating poverty and hunger, strengthening national development planning, and redefining cooperation frameworks with international partners, including bilateral and multilateral institutions and civil society organizations. Her work laid important foundations for sustainable growth and social progress in Mozambique.
Throughout her distinguished career, Prime Minister Diogo was widely recognized for her leadership and global influence. She was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2004 and was listed by Forbes Magazine among the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in both 2006 and 2008. Her expertise and moral authority also led her to serve on several high-level international bodies, including the United Nations High-level Panel, the African Union’s Panel of the Wise, and the Strategy Panel of the African Development Bank.
As a Member of Club de Madrid, Luisa Dias Diogo remained deeply engaged in global dialogues on democracy, development, and governance, generously sharing her experience and insights with peers and younger generations of leaders. Her legacy as a reformer, a consensus-builder, and a champion of women’s leadership will continue to inspire those committed to building more just, inclusive, and resilient societies.
Club de Madrid extends its deepest condolences to Prime Minister Diogo’s family, friends, and the people of Mozambique. She will be profoundly missed, but her leadership, courage, and vision will endure.
