Maria Benvinda Levy


Maria Benvinda Levy is a Mozambican jurist and politician who has been the 16th Prime Minister of Mozambique since her appointment by President Daniel Chapo in 2025. Prior to her tenure as prime minister she was Minister of Justice from 2008 to 2015, and a judge in Maputo.

Early life

Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi was born in Maxixe, Mozambique, on 24 March 1969.

Career

Levy was director of the Legal and Judicial Training Centre, the main place of training for jurists in Mozambique. She was a judge on the city court of Maputo. Levy was an advisor to President Filipe Nyusi.
President Armando Guebuza removed Esperança Machavela as Minister of Justice and replaced her with Levy on 11 March 2008. Levy served as Minister of Justice until 2015.
President Daniel Chapo appointed Levy as Prime Minister of Mozambique on 15 January 2025. She was the second woman to serve as prime minister and her cabinet consisted of 12 people. Levy blamed the 2024–2025 Mozambican protests for a 4.87% decline in economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2024. She attended the papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV.

Political positions

Levy promoted internal development in 2025, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a suspension of the $400 million in aid the United States gives to Mozambique. She noted that the aid was not formally cancelled as there was a deadline of 85 days. She stated that the loss of foreign aid from the United States would harm the health of the country as $250 million of the $400 million is dedicated to Mozambique's HIV/AIDS programme.

Works cited

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