Italy Inaugurates Cooperation Office in Lusaka, Strengthening Partnerships with Zambia and Malawi

On September 12, 2025, at the Embassy of Italy in Lusaka, the new Italian Cooperation Office/AICS was inaugurated, a strategic hub to strengthen development partnerships in Zambia and Malawi.

The opening took place as part of the Global Gateway Fact-Finding Mission: African Climate Summit & Lobito Corridor, highlighting Italy’s strong commitment to sustainable development in Southern Africa. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Enrico De Agostini, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia; Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS); Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of the AICS Maputo Office; members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Zambia; representatives of Italian Civil Society Organizations; delegates from the Global Gateway Mission and senior officials of the Government of Zambia. Representing AICS were also Paola Abenante, Desk Officer for Africa, Luciana Andreini, Manager of the AICS Office in Lusaka and Miguel Almeida, Communication Officer, AICS Maputo Office.

Italy and Zambia share a partnership that predates Zambia’s independence in 1964, rooted in landmark initiatives such as the Kariba Dam, built in the 1950s by a consortium of Italian companies, the FIAT assembly plant in Livingstone and the Indeni Refinery, built by AGIP. Alitalia also played a pivotal role in establishing Zambia Airways and training its pilots.

Bilateral ties have grown even stronger in recent years. The visit of President Sergio Mattarella in 2022 stated Italy’s commitment to Zambia, which was confirmed by President Hichilema’s return visit to Rome in November 2023. In June 2024, following a visit by a high-level Italian delegation led by Director General Stefano Gatti, the country was designated a priority partner for the Italian Cooperation and placed under the coordination of the AICS Maputo Office.

In his welcome speech, the Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, H.E. Enrico De Agostini, said that “While the signature of a bilateral Framework Cooperation Agreement is still pending, we are already pressing ahead with concrete initiatives, fully aligned with the principles of the Mattei Plan”.

Director AICS – Marco Riccardo Rusconi

Among these initiatives is a €6 million investment in the Northern and Copperbelt provinces, within the Lobito Corridor region, focused on restoring biodiversity in degraded ecosystems, strengthening value chains such as honey, legumes, and mushrooms, and promoting inclusive business models. Complementing this, the AIM Zambia Project will address the severe impacts of El Niño by strengthening resilience through agriculture, nutrition, water and sanitation, and social inclusion interventions.

The new Lusaka office will also be responsible for initiatives funded by the Italian Cooperation in Malawi, where it is supporting projects in sustainable agriculture, coffee sector development, and health.

As underlined by Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of AICS: “Italy has been active in Zambia for over sixty years, but what has been missing in the last 30 years was development Cooperation and a dedicated physical space to coordinate our growing engagement. Today, with the opening of this office, we mark a new chapter.”

Miguel Almeida- Communication Officer AICS Maputo and Luciana Andreini – Manager of the AICS Lusaka Office

AICS Maputo showcases projects and collaborations at the 60th edition of FACIM

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) – Maputo Office took part in the 60th edition of the Maputo International Fair (FACIM), the country’s largest private sector event, held from August 25 to 31 in Marracuene. The AICS stand was featured in the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), alongside 15 Italian companies, showcasing the know-how and excellence of Made in Italy.

For FACIM, AICS prepared a diverse cultural agenda. On August 26, Agriculture Day, the panel “From Bean to Cup: The Mozambican Coffee Value Chain and the Mattei Plan in Action” was held. The event was attended by AICS Deputy Head Maria Cristina Pescante, Simone Santi, President of the Italy–Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, Paolo Gozzoli, ICE Representative in Mozambique, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, UNIDO, and Amocafé.

During the session, the Maputo Coffee Hub was presented—a center for the promotion and valorization of Mozambican coffee to be established at FEIMA under the MAIS VALOR 2 project, implemented by UNIDO and financed by the Italian Government through AICS.

On this occasion, Maria Cristina Pescante emphasized: “We want to revitalize Mozambican coffee through an approach focused on quality and sustainability, ensuring that small producers have real access to opportunities.”

The meeting concluded with a coffee cupping session, allowing participants to taste over eight varieties of Mozambican coffee, promoting excellence and highlighting the potential of the country’s coffee sector.

On August 27, Health Day, 71 people underwent free screenings for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. In collaboration with Radio Mozambique, awareness messages on preventing non-communicable diseases were broadcast. Additionally, a 30-minute physical activity session reinforced the importance of exercise in preventing these illnesses.

Finally, on August 29, Employment Creation Day, Deputy Head Maria Cristina Pescante delivered a presentation on AICS and prospects for collaboration with the private sector. This was followed by the panel “Connecting Education, Innovation and Enterprises in Mozambique”, featuring Paolo Gozzoli, ICE Director, Luís Neves Domingo, Director of CIUEM, and Inácio Ticongolo, professor at ISUTC – Higher Institute of Transport and Communications.

The event concluded with a pitching session by four start-ups, selected among the 35 supported by the Eduardo Mondlane University business incubator, established through the Coding Girls and ICT4DEV programs.

The AICS stand attracted numerous visitors, including entrepreneurs, students, journalists, and others eager to learn more about Italian Cooperation projects in Mozambique. A highlight of the week was the visit of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Daniel Chapo, who expressed his appreciation for AICS’s contribution to the country’s sustainable development during the official opening.

DELPAZ continues to consolidate fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient communities

Over 100 participants from 14 districts where DELPAZ is being implemented, in the provinces of Sofala, Manica, and Tete, together with partners, gathered yesterday in Chimoio (Manica) to reflect on four years of program implementation. They agreed that DELPAZ is consolidating fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient communities.

At the reflection seminar on experiences, lessons, and good practices of social inclusion, dialogue for peacebuilding, and gender balance in local development, participants emphasized that the most relevant experiences are focused on valuing diversity and promoting dialogue.

They highlighted greater participation of women, the recognition of local voices, the strengthening of community dialogue – which acknowledges and values local languages – equity of opportunities, reintegration of historically marginalized groups such as ex-combatants and conflict victims, as essential pathways to building a fairer, more peaceful, and more resilient society.

Speaking on the occasion, Osman Cossing, Program Coordinator at the Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) – which organized the event – stated that “Peace is real when it is inclusive and voices are heard and valued,” stressing that “democracy begins with dialogue.”

Tony Mossio, DELPAZ coordinator for the local governance component through the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), noted that support was provided at all levels in an inclusive, participatory process, sensitive to cultural, gender, and ideological differences, despite initial challenges due to limited understanding of the program.

Meanwhile, Pedrito Cambrão, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at UniZambeze University, when addressing the theme “Peace, governance and inclusive local development in a post-conflict context”, underlined that without peace, everything is unstable and fragile. He insisted on the need for educational practices that heal the wounds of the past, consolidate dialogue, reconciliation, forgiveness, listening, and sharing.

“The rope that is not well tied comes undone with the first rain,” he remarked, alluding to the fact that if commitments in the Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) process of Renamo ex-combatants are not treated seriously, “we risk reopening old wounds and losing the delicate thread that holds us together.”

Quoting the proverb “the river does not drink its own water”, he appealed to the executive power not to act for its own benefit and reinforced that “there is no peace that can endure without the people.”

Community Champions

The voices of community champions, who shared the transformations experienced in their lives and communities, were one of the highlights of the presentation of DELPAZ’s historical results, delivered by Giulia Zingaro of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). AICS implements DELPAZ in the provinces of Manica and Tete, with the support of Helpcode leading the NGO consortium in Manica and Save the Children in Tete.

Isac Cerveja, president of Ponto Verde in Báruè, Manica district, earned strong applause when he proudly declared: “We were small farmers, and now we are small entrepreneurs,” thanks to a broadened vision that recognizes agriculture as a driver of development.

“The expansion of Ponto Verde to five hectares enabled the purchase of an irrigation motor pump with our own resources from agricultural product sales, and now DELPAZ has provided a system capable of irrigating up to 60 hectares of farmland,” he said, also highlighting new market linkages, including participation at FACIM last year and again this year, as a key element for financial sustainability.

Similarly, Alcélia Aristide Saimon, another DELPAZ champion, explained that after completing a tailoring course, she now sews clothes to sell in remote communities with little access to clothing. In the poorest areas, she exchanges garments and school uniforms for maize, ensuring that children can attend school.

Armando Taunde expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of his children in vocational training across several practical fields, noted that their activities are progressing, and appealed for the program to be extended to other districts not yet covered by DELPAZ.

Independent consultants Luís Taiado and Nelson Moda presented preliminary results of a study focused on lessons and good practices of social inclusion, gender empowerment, dialogue for peacebuilding, and equitable local development. They pointed to broader and more active participation of women, including DDR beneficiaries, and emphasized that DELPAZ has successfully rooted itself in communities.

However, they cautioned that despite progress achieved, challenges remain, such as weak coordination among partners, local governments, and communities during DDR implementation, as well as perceptions of stigmatization and marginalization among some DDR members who still do not fully identify with the program.

Given the complexity of the Mozambican context, marked by periods of armed conflict and socio-political tensions, an appeal was made to strengthen dialogue, which has proven to be an indispensable tool for building sustainable peace.

The Secretary of State of Manica Province, Lourenço Lindone, who opened and closed the event, praised the engagement of cooperation partners in seeking resources to fund programs that improve the social lives of the population in the three provinces.

“The main lines of intervention of DELPAZ, [a program of the Government of Mozambique funded by the European Union] have complemented the efforts of central and local government in promoting good practices for harmonious social coexistence in communities,” stressed Lourenço Lindone.

Harare (Zimbabwe) – Launch of Two Cross-Border Projects Between Mozambique and Zimbabwe

Harare, 14 May 2025 – Today, the official launch of two cross-border projects between Mozambique and Zimbabwe took place in Harare. The projects are funded by the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The event was attended, among others, by His Excellency the Ambassador of Italy to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati; the Head of the AICS Office in Maputo, Paolo Enrico Sertoli; the FAO Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, Patrice Talla Takouman; as well as representatives of the governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. These included, on the Zimbabwean side, Secretaries of State from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development; and on the Mozambican side, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries, and the Ambassador of Mozambique to Zimbabwe, Carvalho Muária.

Signed in July 2024 and officially launched today in Harare, the two cross-border projects have a combined budget of €8.5 million and are being implemented in shared border areas between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. These initiatives aim to improve ecosystem health, strengthen agricultural value chains, and increase the participation of local communities in national, regional, and international markets.

The first project focuses on the sustainable management of the Miombo woodlands, one of the largest dry forest ecosystems in the world, stretching across 2.7 million square kilometres in Southern Africa and covering Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These forests are vital to millions of people in rural areas, providing essential resources such as firewood, food, and water. The initiative aims to directly benefit 5,000 families in selected areas, promoting gender equality and youth participation. It aligns with the regional commitment made in August 2022, when eleven SADC Member States, including Mozambique and Zimbabwe, signed the Maputo Declaration on the Miombo Forest, setting priorities for the sustainable management and governance of this ecosystem’s natural resources. Through this initiative, Italy proudly positions itself as one of the first donors to have invested in the issue in response to the Maputo Declaration.

The second project, titled “Agricultural Value Chain and Trade Development Between Mozambique and Zimbabwe (ATDP Zim-Moza),” aims to enhance agricultural value chains and trade between the two countries. By improving market access, developing production practices, and promoting cross-border collaboration, the project intends to strengthen the economic prospects of smallholder farmers and agri-businesses. Targeted value chains include citrus, pineapple, banana, coffee, macadamia nuts, maize, and various vegetables. A strong synergy is expected with the Manica Agro-Food Centre (CAAM) initiative, which is part of the Italian Government’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

The Ambassador of Italy to Zimbabwe, Umberto Malnati, stated that “these projects reflect a shared vision: to contribute to the resilience, sustainability, and regional integration of Southern Africa by promoting the inclusive and equitable use of natural and productive resources through strengthened partnerships between the two countries.” He further noted that the initiative aligns with the Mattei Plan for Africa, which promotes a renewed model of cooperation based on listening, mutual partnership, and the enhancement of local potential.

For his part, the Head of AICS Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, affirmed that “these projects are not just opportunities for technical collaboration but represent a concrete platform to strengthen ties between our countries, fostering economic growth and human development while respecting and protecting the rich biodiversity that unites our territories.”

Patrice Talla, FAO Regional Coordinator for Southern Africa, emphasized that “the Miombo woodlands are among the largest dry forest ecosystems in the world” and that, “when managed sustainably, they mitigate climate shocks, conserve biodiversity, prevent land degradation, and strengthen food and energy security.”

Later in the day, the first steering committee meeting of the two cross-border initiatives was held, with the participation of representatives from the governments of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. During the meeting, the Terms of Reference for the implementation of the projects were approved.

The initiatives launched today represent a concrete step by Italy to reinforce its commitment to sustainable environmental management, the promotion of inclusive and resilient agricultural value chains, and deeper regional integration between Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Macfrut 2025: Mozambican Producers and CAAM at the Heart of the Debate on Cooperation and Innovation

On May 6, 2025, the 42nd Edition of Macfrut kicked off – the leading trade fair for the fruit, vegetable, and poultry sectors – taking place in Rimini from May 6 to 8, 2025.

As in previous years, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – Maputo Office participated in the event, together with other AICS Field Offices and under the coordination of the AICS Headquarters.

As part of its initiatives, the Maputo Office supported the participation of Mozambican producers (Cooperativa Frutas de Barué, Agro-Pecuária Frutas de Révué, Fundação Micaia, Associação de Produtores do Café do Ibo, Café Vumba), particularly in the dried fruit and coffee sectors, showcasing local excellence in a prominent international context.

On the first day of the fair, a panel titled “Opportunities of the Beira Corridor and the Manica Agro-Processing Centre (CAAM): Sustainability and Innovation for Local Development” was held, organized by the Maputo Office. The session focused on the Beira Corridor and the CAAM, which is an integral part of the Mattei Plan for Africa.

The panel featured the participation of Jaime Chissico, representing Mozambique’s Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP); Maurizio Forte, Central Director for Export Sectors at ICE; Renzo Piraccini, President of Macfrut; Fabio Riccio, Deputy Director of FederUnacoma; Chiara Scaraggi, value chain expert at UNIDO; Christian Maretti, President of LegaCoop Agroalimentare; and Zacarias Fole, President of the Barué fruit and vegetable producers’ cooperative.

Through open dialogue and a focus on building strategic partnerships, the panel provided a space for reflection on the possible synergies between sustainability, institutional cooperation, and private sector initiative, with the goal of generating lasting and replicable impacts for Mozambique’s agricultural development.

The session concluded with remarks from AICS Director Marco Rusconi, who emphasized that “The Manica Agro-Processing Centre (CAAM) is one of AICS’s flagship initiatives in Southern Africa.” He added, “As part of the Mattei Plan, CAAM is designed to be a key infrastructure for enhancing national agricultural production and integrating small-scale producers into regional and international markets.”

International Education Day

Today we celebrate International Education Day, with this year’s theme: Artificial Intelligence and Education: Preserving Human Autonomy in a World of Automation.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has played a key role in strengthening the educational system in Mozambique, with particular focus on the university sector. Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), the largest and most important in the country, is one of AICS’s main partners. This support aims not only to improve UEM’s institutional capacity but also to address one of Mozambique’s biggest challenges: high youth unemployment[1].

In 2023, as part of efforts to increase employability, promote entrepreneurship, and stimulate innovation, a business incubator was inaugurated at UEM. This initiative is part of two AICS-funded projects: Coding Girls[2] and ICT4DEV[3].

In the incubator, which has already welcomed 33 start-ups in various sectors such as online education, microfinance, and agro-processing, young people have access to hands-on training in digital marketing, business plan development, and digital entrepreneurship. Additionally, they can take advantage of a network of contacts that facilitates the expansion and strengthening of their ideas. According to Leila Mutuque, coordinator of the incubator, a major investment has been made in the tech sector. “Since technology and artificial intelligence represent the future of the world, we have placed special emphasis on this sector, and we believe this is the ideal moment for the development of innovative solutions” she says.

One of the start-ups supported by the incubator is Credit Flow, a fintech[4] company that seeks to promote financial education and financial inclusion in Mozambique. The start-up uses an innovative platform that facilitates the provision of credit, connecting small businesses and individuals in need of financing with banks and other financial institutions. Additionally, the start-up has developed a mobile application available for Android and iOS devices. Through the app, users can request credit quickly and securely. “Through this application, we aim to stimulate entrepreneurship and, consequently, increase employability among young people,” says José Matingue, founder of Credit Flow.

“Education opens the doors and windows of imagination,” says Julia Delfino Cossa, one of the co-founders of the start-up Maria EBB, which is dedicated to online education in the university sector as a means to expand access to learning in Mozambique. “With our online platform, anyone can learn from anywhere, with flexible hours,” she adds. The content available on the platform is developed by university professors and undergoes a rigorous verification process.

For the development of the platform, the team was inspired by business models of globally recognized platforms like Duolingo and Babbel, adopting a similar monetization approach: a free version complemented by advanced features available via paid subscription, in addition to ads.

The great strength of Maria EBB is the integration of new technologies and artificial intelligence to personalize the learning experience. The platform uses resources like bionic reading and robotic reading, adapting to the individual needs of each user. “We know that there are different types of people who learn in different ways. That’s why we want to offer personalized education,” explains Julia.

The start-ups Maria EBB and Credit Flow are examples of companies using new technologies to promote education, both in the academic and financial sectors. Both aim to increase the skills of young people, contributing to addressing the high unemployment rate in the country.

As Leila Mutuque explains, in the Mozambican context, many young people continue to prioritize finding employment rather than considering entrepreneurship as an alternative to create and generate their own work. However, she observes a gradual change in this reality: “We are already seeing the creation of businesses through start-ups that are seeking solutions to the country’s problems, while also generating self-employment.”

The UEM business incubator, inaugurated with the support of AICS, is an important first step in this process. It provides the necessary support for young people to develop their ideas and initiatives, acting as a safe space where start-ups can grow and test their solutions.

[1] According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the youth unemployment rate, particularly for young people aged 15-24, is around 40%.

[2] The Coding Girls project, with a funding of 1.4 million euros, promotes (and partially supports) university study choices and courses in technical-scientific disciplines (particularly Computer Science) for secondary school girls. The initiative introduces participants to digital programming, after refining the basics (MS Office package), with courses held at the delegations of the National Institute of Electronic Government (INAGE) in 9 provinces, lasting approximately 2 months.

[3] The ICT4DEV project – Training of students, teachers, and researchers in the field of Technology, has a funding of 1.2 million euros. In collaboration with the Computer Center of UEM (CIUEM) and the DEIB of the Polytechnic University of Milan, training activities in ICT are being implemented for students, researchers, and teachers in the STEM area. The overall goal of the initiative is to contribute to the increase of scientific research, the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and to promote innovation.

[4] Fintech (financial technology) is a technological approach used to provide financial services digitally. The term Fintech is used both to identify start-up companies in the financial sector and the digital products they offer, such as applications, software, and other technologies.

Seed Distribution in the District of Tambara as a Response to Food Insecurity

On January 13, 2025, in the localities of Nhacalapo and Miteme, in the district of Tambara (Manica Province), AICS-Maputo carried out the distribution of seed kits for maize and beans (totaling one ton), benefiting 67 small-scale producers, more than half of whom were women. This activity was part of the response to food insecurity caused by the El Niño phenomenon, developed by AICS in collaboration with the Government of Manica Province and the District of Tambara.

Manica Province is facing the effects of El Niño, which caused severe drought, affecting approximately 1.8 million people. February 2024 was the driest month in the last 100 years (source: OCHA 2024). The figures confirm this alarming scenario, with 166,126 people facing acute food insecurity and around 49,384 in emergency situations in Manica Province. This results in 39.1% of children under five years old suffering from chronic malnutrition.

In response to this alarming situation, AICS joined efforts with the Government of Mozambique to fight hunger and increase agricultural production in Manica Province, both through today’s seed distribution and through projects aimed at improving food security in the region. Additionally, at the request of the Provincial Secretary of State, AICS had already delivered 1,100 kg of bean seeds in May of the previous year.

The distribution in Tambara district is part of the initiative “More Resilience, More Communities: Strengthening the Resilience of Communities Most Exposed to Environmental Disasters in Manica and Tete,” implemented by a consortium led by WeWorld GVC, in collaboration with CUAMM and AIFO, in partnership with the local NGO SEPPA.

The project started on October 1, 2024, and aims to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in areas most affected by extreme climate events, with a gender-sensitive and inclusive approach, in line with the health-climate nexus. The project covers the districts of Tsangano and Doa in Tete Province, and Guru and Tambara in Manica Province, focusing on the restoration of essential health, agriculture, and infrastructure services, as well as strengthening local governments in disaster preparedness and early disaster management, such as in the case of the El Niño phenomenon.

Evelina, Afonso Dhlakama’s former cook who used certified seeds for the first time

By family tradition, Evelina Zacarias had stored some of the maize kernels from her harvest in the barn to use them as seed for the next farming season in 2023, but climate change, which has caused drought in her village, has called this practice into question.

“We always kept the kernels that looked healthier. It’s a tradition that goes back to my grandparents, but as the rainy season waned, the seeds sprouted and withered immediately due to the sun at this stage, and so we lost most of the production, with one ear or the other surviving” in the field, which was then harvested and stored for planting, she explains.

The former guerrilla of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) was reintegrated after her recent demobilisation in the village of Zivale, a locality in the interior of Muda Serração, in the district of Gondola, in the province of Manica, where, in addition to her family, she cultivates to support herself.

She joined a farmers’ association as part of the disarmament, demobilisation and social reintegration (DDR) process and received certified seed for the first time thanks to a DELPAZ support line.

“We received the certified seeds and I planted them in the field for the first time. Wary, I set aside a plot where I sowed traditional seeds, but everything that sprouted died because of the sun. All the food I have today comes from certified seed,” she explained.

“The certified seeds have greatly improved my income from field production. I had no idea that the drought was caused by climate change and that we had to react with new farming techniques and improved seeds that DELPAZ technicians are teaching us,” she remarks, as she rearranges the bundles of hay that will cover a new barn.

Evelina Zacarias, 50, reintegrated in Zivale, fought for the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) guerrillas for 18 years, serving as a carer for the historical leader’s children and then as Afonso Dhlakama’s cook, and has been demobilised twice, most recently in June 2020.

Evelina was recruited into guerrilla warfare at the age of seven in 1981, during the 16-year civil war, and was demobilised a first time in 1994 by the UN peacekeeping mission in Mozambique (Onumoz). After 18 years of civilian life, she rejoined the guerrillas to ‘fight for democracy’ in 2012, when Afonso Dhlakama summoned and regrouped former guerrillas in the Gorongosa mountain range in Sofala.

“I was recruited with my father in Mpunga and from there with General Ossufo (Momade) we left for Gorongosa, then for a base in Maringue and then for Massala,” a journey that took months on foot, the woman recounts, pointing out that it was in Massala that she was first demobilised.

Now the mother of eight children, all born during the intervals of the conflicts, she initially received military training for combat but was then assigned to look after the children of President Afonso Dhlakama, who later also served as cook.

“There were houses where the leader’s wives and children were and we looked after them. We washed their clothes in the rivers and cooked for them until the end of the war. President Dhlakama always came there where the wives and children were and assured us that one day the war would end, and this went on until we were demobilised for the first time in 1992,” she says with an enviable energy in her gestures.

The former guerrilla recalls that on her first demobilisation she returned to her home village of Búzi with a machete, an axe, a hoe and a bank cheque, which she never cashed because it burnt down in the hut where she lived during a fire.

She was demobilised again as part of the Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) process – which stems from the peace agreement signed in 2019 – and is now devoting her life to her family and farming.

“We are learning to overcome the drought with new production methods and this will improve our income, so we can take care of our family,” says Evelina, her usual discreet smile highlighting the dark features that cross her face.

She hopes to one day mechanise farming and abandon the hoe he uses to cultivate his two hectares of land, dedicated exclusively to growing maize and sesame.

The ex-guerrillas are among the thousands of beneficiaries of the DELPAZ Programme, which ensures the economic and social reintegration of all ex-combatants, their families and rural communities affected by the conflict, in order to achieve lasting peace in Mozambique.

Eneida, the young electrician who wants to transform her quiet village with smart lighting

Driven by her love of electricity, Eneida Piedade Domingos, 24, was inspired to transform her quiet village in the interior of the Guro district with smart lighting, after having benefited from the electrical installation course promoted within the DELPAZ programme.

The daughter of a former Renamo guerrilla fighter, she says that the armed conflict in her district has slowed development, but also the form of lighting, which is not in tune with the harmony of light compared to developed cities in the country and the world.

‘This was the opportunity I found to take a course,’ she says, emphasising that this gave her the knowledge she needed to realise her dream of seeing her village use technology to light its houses and streets. Eneida points out that although this technique is already applied in other parts of the world, it is still little used in her district.

‘The example of using photocells in houses makes it possible to flip the switch at a certain time and light up a room without the need for human presence,’ as well as the use of app-controlled smart bulbs to save energy consumption in homes, he explains enthusiastically.

She emphasised that ‘the course helped me to come up with ideas for changes in my district, such as the use of objects that many people already use’ in advanced cities.

Eneida finished compulsory schooling without having had the opportunity for vocational training, especially in the field of electricity, her passion since childhood, and sees this opportunity as a window of change for her social life as well.

‘I am a woman and I was able to take the electricity course; therefore, I encourage other women to take this type of training and find a job,’ to achieve economic independence and “not just wait for men to work”.

She insists that women should be able to support the family on their own and ‘not just wait for the man, wait for money from someone, so having an education is important to be able to support one’s family,’ she notes, thanking DELPAZ for its efforts in providing training opportunities for young people.

‘I am very happy that the DELPAZ programme has given us this opportunity to study, I am really grateful, because even though not all the young people in my district were able to take the course, I will reach out to other young people to teach and together transform our district,’ says Eneida Piedade Domingos.

A total of 100 young people has already benefited from vocational training in carpentry, metallurgy, construction, mechanics and tailoring in the five districts where DELPAZ is implemented in the province of Manica.

The DELPAZ programme pays special attention to creating opportunities for young people, women, ex-combatants and their families.

In all five districts of Manica Province, thousands of people have already benefited from DELPAZ, which is implementing projects in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure and entrepreneurship to ensure the economic and social reintegration of all ex-combatants, their families and rural communities affected by the conflict, in order to achieve lasting peace in Mozambique.

The Mozambican government’s programme is funded by the European Union, and together with UNCDF is implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), which implements DELPAZ in the provinces of Manica and Tete, and by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in Sofala.

Marcos Augusto: personal transformation and creating opportunities for the youth of his community

Marcos Augusto, with a trajectory like that of many young people in his village of Mudima, in the northwestern interior of Gondola, Manica province, finished 10th grade and spent many years waiting for a job opportunity in the public sector.

He only had one year left of ‘hope’ for his dream job in the state – as the age limit for admission is 35 – when, earlier this year, he applied for a carpentry training position under DELPAZ, a Mozambican government programme implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), which pays special attention to creating opportunities for young people, women, ex-combatants and their families.

‘I applied and was selected in the two phases before the training and, together with other trainees, we were admitted to a training course that started on 15 May 2024, and I chose the area of carpentry,’ explained Marcos Augusto, who is doing a one-month internship.

He emphasised that training in carpentry was the push he needed to take the lead in his career. Since then, he has started to ‘write’ his own story,’ says Marcos Augusto, ’embracing with dedication the opportunity to train in carpentry, a trade with which he intends to create self-employment and help his remote community.

‘From where I live to the town of Gondola is 18 kilometres, and for those who need coffins for burials, or to have windows, doors and other items built, getting there is quite expensive. That is why I thought of becoming a local carpenter,’ he said.

Learning the trade, he said, was essential for him to think about building a successful career, one that will focus on helping many young people in his village get out of unemployment, taking refuge in crime and drug use.

‘There are young people who are not working, so if I bet on self-employment, with the kit they will give me in this training and some money, I will take young people and employ them in my carpentry workshop. That way, these young people won’t steal, and they won’t have dependencies. They will work in my company, which I want to grow,’ he said.

This training was quite advantageous for him. It would have taken him a lot longer to become a carpenter, a desire, however, that he had also long had to follow in the footsteps of his uncle, a carpenter.

‘I would like the project to provide me with manual and electronic equipment, because electrical equipment produces furniture faster than manual equipment, which would really help me achieve my goal of employing many young people in my area who are not working,’ he said.

Thanks to the development of skills and confidence, Marcos Augusto is grateful for the opportunity provided by DELPAZ and hopes that the programme will reach other young people in the provinces affected by the armed conflict.
A total of 100 young people have already benefited from vocational training in carpentry, blacksmithing, construction, mechanics and tailoring in the five districts where DELPAZ is implemented in Manica province.