Embassy of Italy, AICS and TVM renew Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen communication and visibility of initiatives in the country

From left to right:Gabriele Annis, Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique; Victor Filipe Sinai Nhatitima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TVM; Maria Cristina Pescante, Deputy Director and Acting Head – AICS Maputo; and Cláudio Ilídio Jone, Executive Board Member of TVM.

On 13 April 2026, the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy of Italy in Mozambique, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) – Maputo Office, and Televisão de Moçambique (TVM) was formalized.

The agreement enters its third year of implementation, consolidating a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the visibility of initiatives promoted by Italy in the country. Through this collaboration, TVM will continue to ensure coverage and dissemination of the activities of the Embassy and AICS across all 11 provinces of Mozambique, as well as to the diaspora through its correspondents in Portugal.

The Memorandum was signed by the Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TVM, Victor Filipe Sinai Nhatitima; and the Deputy Director and Acting Head of AICS in Maputo, Maria Cristina Pescante.

During the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TVM highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that “this Memorandum represents an opportunity for TVM to strengthen its public service mission by enhancing its capacity to inform, educate and entertain.” He further emphasized that the collaboration “reinforces the role of the media as a bridge between peoples, cultures and ideas, promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and the appreciation of diversity.”

For his part, Ambassador Gabriele Annis noted that the Embassy of Italy is mobilizing efforts with RAI — Italy’s public broadcaster — with a view to the possible donation of IT equipment to TVM, thereby contributing to the strengthening of its technical capacities.

The Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank TVM professionals, both in Maputo and in the provincial delegations of Sofala, Cabo Delgado and Manica, who accompanied him during his missions to those provinces. “Your rigor, professionalism and dedication were essential in ensuring that Italy’s initiatives and work reached viewers directly,” he stated.

The renewal of this Memorandum reaffirms the joint commitment of the institutions involved to promote effective and accessible communication, in support of development and the strengthening of relations between Mozambique and Italy.

Bartolomeu, the former guerrilla fighter who lives from farming in the “desert”

Bartolomeu Tenesse, 58, fought for 13 years in the guerrilla forces of the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), in a front whose mission was to sustain the civil war, using weapons that were meant to be seized in military barracks raids. He was demobilised twice, most recently in June 2021, and is now, for the second time, living what is referred to as civilian life.

The former guerrilla is now struggling to support his community through agriculture, which he practises in the village of Casado, in Tambara, a district with a dry steppe climate, a dry winter and low annual rainfall.

The district of Tambara, in Manica province in central Mozambique, is currently being hit by severe hunger caused by a drought induced by the El Niño phenomenon, which has devastated harvests. Across the Zambezi River, Tambara borders the district of Mzimba in Malawi, which has been declared a disaster zone due to the same phenomenon.

“Food insecurity this year is alarming. There are families surviving on maize bran, wild fruits and tubers. Others go days without eating. So if I intensify farming, with good water availability, I can withstand any kind of hunger,” says Bartolomeu Tenesse, his hand on his chin and his arm resting on the handle of a hoe.

Bartolomeu was recruited into the guerrilla movement at the age of 15, in 1985, in Angónia (Tete), when he was travelling to Blantyre in search of work in Malawi, during the 16-year civil war.

“Our vehicle was intercepted; the young people were separated and taken to a place where we spent the night. At dawn, we were surprised to see that we were being guarded by armed men. They told us we had to carry out the mission of bringing democracy to the country,” he recalls, referring to his transfer for military training at the Chiriza base in Angónia.

He remained at that base until 1987, carrying out operations in Tete province, when he was called to the central base of Merece-Chamboco in the Gorongosa mountains, where he met and spoke with the historical leader Afonso Dhlakama.

“We greeted President (Afonso) Dhlakama as soldiers from Tete. From there we were divided into small groups, and I was sent to Inhaminga in Sofala. Later we operated in Dondo, Nhamatanda, Shemba, until we returned to one of the bases in Tete province.”

He added: “Our task was to fight and collect military equipment for our bases. On one of those weapon-delivery missions, I was taken again to the place where President Afonso Dhlakama was.” He was later recognised for those missions and, a few years afterwards, the General Peace Agreement (GPA) was reached in Rome in 1992.

Even “in peace, we continued to suffer, without freedom or democracy”, which led him to return to the bush in 2017 from the Nhandete base (Tambara), from where they mourned the “painful” death of Afonso Dhlakama in May 2018, until he was demobilised for the second time in June 2021 in Báruè, under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process stemming from the Maputo Peace Agreement signed in 2019.

Like most former Renamo fighters, Bartolomeu was first demobilised in 1994 by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mozambique (ONUMOZ).

He recalls that during his second demobilisation, he returned to his resettlement village in Tambara with a machete, a hoe, an axe, a variety of agricultural seeds, and a promise of development projects and a subsistence pension.

“They said projects would come, and we received the DELPAZ programme. In fact, it installed a gravity-fed irrigation system that we have been using since last year. We also benefited from seeds and support from extension workers from the programme, which is helping to significantly increase production in a place that is difficult to farm because it is a dry area,” explains Bartolomeu Tenesse.

The former guerrilla is a member of one of ten farmers’ associations supported by the DELPAZ programme, which places particular emphasis on creating opportunities for young people, women, as well as former combatants and their families.

Bartolomeu and part of his family work at the Tambara Green Point, a technology transfer field that provides agricultural technologies and smart farming practices aimed at increasing production and productivity for the ten farming associations and the wider population of Tambara.

Janete, the “warrior” who rediscovered herself at the Tsangano Women’s House

Janete Mussone’s vibrant smile spreads an energy of discovery and connection during the inauguration of the Tsangano Women’s House, the first of its kind to be delivered under the implementation of DELPAZ to a remote community in Tete Province, in central Mozambique, a region once haunted by armed conflict.

Amid dancing and applause, Janete celebrates the achievement of soon being able to sell bread made with her own hands (previously, bread was imported from Malawi) and the support she receives from 15 other women, out of the 20 members of the Women’s House that she leads, whose stories intertwine as they begin new paths and rebuild dreams, as well as reaffirm their rights.

“It is the first time we have had this house in Tsangano, which brings together many activities that will change the stories of many families in this district,” says an enthusiastic Janete Mussone, who herself has just rediscovered herself, as she explores with a determined gaze the spaces that will host the various initiatives to be developed there.

The Tsangano Women’s House is a space for shelter, listening, training, and empowerment for women and men, aimed at promoting local economic growth.

In addition to being a centre for providing support, the Tsangano Women’s House represents for each woman a place of guidance, protection, and respect. It was inaugurated on 27 March 2025, and was attended by Anne-Aël Pohu, representative of the Delegation of the European Union in Mozambique.

“Here we want to bake bread and sell it right here. We will also do some farming business activities, such as vegetable production, to be sold here. We also have a meeting room for our gatherings and for community hire, as well as a storage facility that can be rented to store agricultural products from traders,” emphasises Janete Mussone, noting how this will help address inequalities and lack of opportunity.

“I discovered that among us women [at the Women’s House] there were many hidden talents, whether in cooking or tailoring, because we are making incredible clothes that we sell to the community,” highlights Janete Mussone, adding that “before, it was only possible to buy these cape-based fashion garments in Tete or Maputo.”

The green incubator, demonstration farming field, and multipurpose water supply system—structures built adjacent to the Women’s House—will revolutionise agriculture, as well as ensure drinking water for the community and irrigation for the Women’s House fields.

“In this Women’s House farm, we will work ourselves, and the produce we harvest will be sold, and the money will be invested here in the house’s restaurant, but also to meet other needs we may have,” she notes, while listing the range of activities.

For her, the Women’s House is more than a physical space; it is a symbol of welcome, empowerment, and transformation, where women are heard, valued, and strengthened to become protagonists of their own stories.

The Women’s House is part of the DELPAZ initiative, a programme that has played a crucial role in transforming the lives of communities covered in Tete Province, specifically in the districts of Moatize, Tsangano and Dôa.

The programme brings together efforts to promote economic and social development, with visible impact on the most vulnerable communities.

DELPAZ is a programme of the Mozambican Government, funded by the European Union, implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in the provinces of Manica and Tete, and by the Austrian Development Agency in Sofala Province, with the secretariat managed by the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

Signature of the Development Cooperation framework agreement between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Zambia

H.E. Enrico De Agostini, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, and Honourable Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during the signing of the Agreement.

Lusaka, 24^th September 2026– Today, at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Zambia, the Framework Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Zambia was signed.

The Agreement was signed by H.E. Enrico De Agostini, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, and the Honourable Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The ceremony was also attended by Mr. Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of Office of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in Maputo.

The signing of the Agreement marks a significant milestone in further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Italy and Zambia. It establishes a solid framework for promoting inclusive and sustainable development, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The launch of a renewed partnership with Africa took place in January 2024, with the presentation of the Piano Mattei for Africa during the Italy–Africa Summit held in Rome. The initiative aims to establish a new model of cooperation based on partnerships among equals, supported by an initial commitment of EUR 5.5 billion.

In line with this renewed approach, Italy has strengthened its engagement with Zambia through its Development Cooperation activities, a process that has gained momentum in recent years. In June 2024, Zambia was included among the priority countries for Italian Development Cooperation and placed under the coordination of the AICS Office in Maputo. The visit of the Director General for Development Cooperation, Stefano Gatti, in July 2024 and the opening of an Italian Cooperation Office within the premises of the Italian Embassy, made this decision operational.

In addition, Italy responded positively to the Government of Zambia’s emergency appeal, to mitigate the impact of the El Niño induced drought, with a particular focus on improving the living conditions of rural communities.

In conclusion, E. the Ambassador of Italy to Zambia H.E. Enrico De Agostini stated: “As highlighted by our Prime Minister, H.E. Giorgia Meloni, in February 2026 Zambia has become a priority country for the Mattei Plan, which is the Italian investment strategy in Africa, a partnership among equals, based on true dialogue and reciprocal interest. The signing of this Agreement reflects the shared commitment among our governments to work side by side towards a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for the people of Zambia”

The Head of AICS Maputo office Mr. Paolo Enrico Sertoli said: “We aim to further strengthen our presence in Zambia, starting with the launch of a EUR 6 million initiative in the Northern and Copperbelt provinces, within the Lobito Corridor region, focused on ecosystem restoration and sustainable value chains.”

From left to right:Silvia Piccinini (Commercial and Political office- Embassy of Italy in Lusaka), H.E. Enrico De Agostini, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of the AICS Office in Maputo, Alessandro Botta, Head of the AICS Office in Lusaka.

International Water Day: highlighting the groundbreaking of the environmental sanitation programme (19 March)

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Programme of Environmental Sanitation for stormwater drainage in neighbourhoods of the city of Maputo took place on 19 March, financed by the Italian Cooperation. The project is expected to last three years and represents an investment through an aid credit of EUR 60 million (for engineering design and construction works), complemented by a grant component of EUR 1.752 million (aimed at supporting programme management by the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources).

The event was attended by high-level authorities, including the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources, Fernando Rafael, the Mayor of Maputo, Rasaque Manhique, the Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis, and the Head of AICS Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, among other distinguished institutional representatives.

Although officially launched on this date, works have been underway since September 2025 and include the construction of 14 kilometres of stormwater drainage systems, as well as the paving of more than 8 kilometres of roads in the KaMaxaquene district. Currently, approximately 8% of the works have already been completed. The works are being carried out by the Italian company Renco, with supervision by the Italian consultancy FCRR s.r.l.

These interventions play a key role in mitigating the impacts caused by extreme weather events, in a context where Mozambique ranks among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The programme is part of the Italian Cooperation’s infrastructure sector efforts to promote the development of cities and communities that are more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, in coordination with two other complementary initiatives: the Drainage Programme, currently being implemented in the KaMaxaquene district, and the Regenera Programme, underway in the Chamanculo C neighbourhood.

Together, these interventions will contribute to improving environmental and urban conditions by reducing the risk of flooding and preventing waterborne diseases (such as cholera), generating a direct and positive impact on the quality of life of beneficiary populations.

During his remarks, the Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique highlighted that “the project integrates different technical solutions, including open channels, underground drainage systems and gabion structures, which will significantly improve stormwater flow and reduce flood risk.”

The Ambassador also underlined that “this project represents, in the city of Maputo, the commitment of the Italy System and Italian companies to put their technical expertise and engineering experience at the service of sustainable development, for the benefit of communities and the environment.”

This project reaffirms the commitment of the Italian Cooperation to supporting Mozambique in the implementation of integrated solutions across the infrastructure, urban development and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) sectors, contributing to improved living conditions for communities and to strengthening urban resilience in the face of climate change challenges

Farewell Message from the Head of AICS Maputo Office

Dear Reader,

As my mandate as Head of the AICS Maputo Office draws to a close at the end of this month of March, after more than four years of intense work, the time has come to say goodbye. It is not easy to take stock of such a period, rich in challenges, experiences, and achievements.

I arrived in Mozambique in 2022, a landmark year for Italian Development Cooperation in the country. Indeed, in July 2022, the President of the Italian Republic, H.E. Sergio Mattarella, paid an official visit to Mozambique. On that occasion, the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) between Italy and Mozambique for the period 2022–2026 was signed—representing the first major concrete result of my mandate.

My arrival also coincided with a time when the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still being felt, something we must not forget. In that context, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of Italian Development Cooperation, particularly through support to the Biotechnology Centre of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM), which was at the forefront of diagnostic activities. It was also a symbolic year, marked by the celebration of 45 years of cooperation between Italy and UEM, the largest and most prestigious university in Mozambique, with which we have long collaborated in capacity building and strengthening higher education.

During my mandate, I have felt deeply proud to witness the growth of AICS and Italian Development Cooperation within the complex regional context of Southern Africa. One figure above all illustrates this: at the beginning of my assignment, the AICS Maputo Office was responsible for three countries, of which only one (Mozambique) was a priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). I conclude my mandate with responsibility for five countries, three of which are priority countries (Mozambique, Zambia, and Malawi) for MAECI, and three (Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola) within the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa.

Among the most significant moments of my mandate, particularly in terms of expanding responsibilities, were the inauguration of the Programme Office in Chimoio (Mozambique, Manica Province, in 2023)—a hub coordinating our activities in the province, especially in the agricultural sector, and playing a key role in the development of the Manica Agro-Food Centre (CAAM), a flagship initiative of the Mattei Plan for Africa—and the opening of the Programme Office in Lusaka, with responsibility for Malawi and Zambia, strengthening the presence and operational capacity of Italian Development Cooperation and AICS in Southern Africa.

Among the most emblematic achievements of my mandate, I would particularly like to recall: in September 2025, the reopening of the Natural History Museum of Maputo, a true jewel of the city and an important milestone for the protection and promotion of Mozambique’s cultural and scientific heritage; in 2024, the contribution to the organisation of the first Coffee Expo in Mozambique and the inauguration of key infrastructures, such as the start-up incubator at Eduardo Mondlane University (in 2023) and the health centre in Namaacha (in 2022); as well as, in 2023, 2024, and 2025, the organisation of delegations of agricultural producers from partner countries to the Macfrut fair, thereby strengthening knowledge exchange and opportunities in the agricultural sector.

One of the most important legacies of my tenure lies in the processes I have helped to structure and consolidate, based on an increasingly results-oriented vision and on projects designed with a regional dimension. This has been achieved by leveraging a strong team spirit across the entire “Sistema Italia”, engaging the private sector (including well-established collaborations with ENI Rovuma, Macfrut, and The European House Ambrosetti – TEHA), and enhancing communication as a strategic tool of Development Cooperation.

Over these years, I have travelled thousands of kilometres and spent countless hours in the air, which allowed me to gain a close understanding of the region, its communities, and our beneficiaries. Above all, this journey gave me the opportunity to witness the extraordinary resilience of the people and their determination to build a better future for their communities.

My special thanks go to the relevant Diplomatic Representations—the Embassies in Maputo, Lusaka, Harare, and Luanda—as well as to partner institutions, local authorities, Italian and Mozambican Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Delegations of the European Union, the United Nations Agencies, and all those who have contributed to this shared path.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to all the staff of the AICS Maputo Office. These results would not have been possible without your commitment, dedication, expertise, and team spirit.

Thank you very much. Muito obrigado. Kanimambo. Thank you.

Hipólito and Assucena: Two Paths of Inclusion and Professional Growth

Hipólito and Assucena were the first interns to be welcomed at AICS Maputo under the Italian Cooperation Programme’s inclusive internship initiative, Job Creation through ICTs, which aims to promote professional opportunities for young people with disabilities and strengthen their inclusion in the labour market.

Assucena, 26 years old and a graduate in Public Administration, was looking for a professional opportunity when she participated in a job fair. “I went to the Humanity & Inclusion stand, where they were collecting CVs from people with disabilities. Without hesitation, I submitted mine,” she recalls. A few days later, she received a call offering her the possibility of undertaking an internship at AICS, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her professional journey.

During her internship, Assucena carried out various tasks, including monitoring stock inflows and outflows and providing logistical support, including negotiating with suppliers. Among all her responsibilities, she highlights one in particular: “My favourite part is document registration, which also helps me learn Italian,” she says, underlining how this experience contributed not only to her professional development but also to her personal growth.

For his part, Hipólito, a human rights activist for persons with disabilities and sports commentator at Rádio Miramar, also learned about the opportunity through Humanity & Inclusion. At AICS, he has supported internal organisational activities, including participating in meetings, assisting with driver coordination, and using tools such as Excel. With pride, he shares the impact of this experience: “The internship gave me a new boost, a new vision and a new way of approaching things, allowing me to enrich my knowledge.”

For both, the internship represented a transformative opportunity. Assucena highlights self-confidence as her main lesson: “Not being afraid to make mistakes is the most important thing.” She also leaves a message to other persons with disabilities: “Do not limit yourselves, do not say you are not capable. If we close our minds, we will not explore many opportunities.”

Hipólito, in turn, emphasises the fundamental role of organisations in promoting inclusion: “Before offering internship opportunities to persons with disabilities, it is essential to create accessible and inclusive workplaces.”

When asked to summarise their experience in a single word, their responses clearly reflect its impact: for Hipólito, it was “fantastic”; for Assucena, it represented above all “growth.”

The AICS Maputo Office organized a farewell and appreciation gathering with the interns, expressing its recognition for the professionalism, dedication, and commitment they demonstrated throughout the internship, and wishing them every success in their future professional paths.

This initiative demonstrates how creating inclusive working environments not only promotes equal opportunities but also helps to value talent, strengthen institutions, and build a more just and inclusive society.

Mozambique – Italian Development Cooperation strengthens the resilience of communities in Marracuene (Maputo Province) and Macate (Manica Province)

On 19 February 2026, within the framework of initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change in Mozambique, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), two events were held to support populations affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding that struck the country at the beginning of the year.

The first event took place in Marracuene (Maputo Province), an area that has already benefited from significant funding from the Italian Development Cooperation, particularly through the A-GEO Programme, which enabled the creation of the country’s first “model beach” in the locality of Macaneta. This is one of the areas most affected by the recent floods, which caused the interruption of the road connection between Marracuene and Macaneta, isolating several local communities.

On this occasion, the Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis, accompanied by the Head of AICS Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, and the Mayor of Marracuene, Shafee Sidat, proceeded with the distribution of 70 food kits, containing essential goods such as flour, rice, and chicken, with the aim of supporting the most affected families.

During the ceremony, the Ambassador underlined that he was present “to bring the solidarity of the Italian people” and emphasized that “despite the distance, the Italian people and the Mozambican people are brothers.” For his part, the Mayor of Marracuene stated that “Italy has provided its support since the very first moment,” recognizing the continuous commitment of the Italian Development Cooperation in favour of the affected communities.

The second event took place in Macate District (Manica Province), where maize and bean seeds were distributed to 26 beneficiaries as part of a strategy aimed at strengthening food security and supporting the recovery of the livelihoods of affected communities. This distribution, carried out with the support of AICS, is part of a broader provincial intervention that, within the framework of the 2025/2026 agricultural campaign, will support approximately 300 beneficiaries overall.

During the ceremony, an awareness-raising session was also conducted for the beneficiaries, highlighting the importance of the proper use of the distributed seeds as essential productive inputs for the upcoming agricultural campaign.

Isaquias, community leader of Macate, expressed his gratitude for the support received and emphasized that “we are committed to using the seeds exclusively for production, following the guidance provided during the awareness session, in order to ensure good results in the current agricultural campaign.” He added that “we believe that, through commitment and joint effort, we will achieve a good harvest and contribute to the development of our community.”

Italian Cooperation’s response to the floods in Mozambique

The floods currently affecting Mozambique have already impacted more than 700,000 people since 7 January (data as of 1 February), leading to the rescue of nearly 20,000 people and causing significant damage to essential national infrastructure, including the closure of National Road No. 1 (N1) between the provinces of Maputo and Gaza.

In Marracuene, the overflow of the Incomati River has disrupted road circulation between the town of Marracuene and the tourist area of Macaneta, which is supported under the A-GEO programme, funded by Italian Cooperation.

Of the 18 lifeguards trained under the programme, 11 have taken part in search, rescue, and assistance operations for affected communities, particularly in the districts of Manhica, Boane, and Marracuene, among the areas most severely impacted by the floods. Equipment donated through the project, especially jet skis, has also been used to support these operations.

Elias Novela, one of the lifeguards trained under A-GEO, says he is “proud to be able to help my own community,” adding that “we have already rescued children in distress, persons with disabilities, and elderly people with no hope.” He also stressed that the training he received enabled him “to learn how to think quickly and act in time to save human lives.”

Giulia Natali (AICS – Health) during the distribution of hygiene kits to the Magoanine community, affected by the floods.

On Friday, 30 January, the Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis, together with representatives from the health sector, visited the reception centre in the Magoanine neighbourhood, providing support to communities hosting people displaced by the floods. In one of the most affected areas, 135 hygiene kits were distributed, including water purifiers, with the aim of preventing infectious diseases such as cholera.

In Manica Province, a seed package consisting of 1,500 kg of maize and 600 kg of beans was delivered to support farming families affected by heavy rains and flooding. The donation falls under the programme to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable communities in the provinces of Zambézia, Manica, and Tete.

It is also important to highlight that, through the Ready2ACT programme, funded by Italian Cooperation, the CIMA Foundation is providing remote support to technicians from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) and other competent institutions within the early warning system, such as INAM and DNGRH, supporting monitoring and analysis operations through forecasting and advisory tools developed under the project, including the new operations room inaugurated last year.

In parallel, under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism activated for this emergency, the arrival in the country of a flood management expert from the CIMA Foundation is expected, as part of the European Union’s contribution to support risk management.

According to Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of the AICS Office in Maputo, “we know that Mozambique is one of the countries most affected by climate change. In recent years, through projects such as Ready2ACT, we have invested strongly in risk management and in strengthening early warning systems, relying on the know-how of the CIMA Foundation and the Italian Civil Protection Department. We also acknowledge the essential role played by lifeguards trained under the A-GEO programme in safeguarding human lives and supporting communities. Italy and Italian Cooperation will continue to do everything possible to support the Mozambican population.

Lifeguards trained under the A-GEO project during search and rescue operations.

Italian Cooperation participates in the TEHA – CEO Dialogue Southern Africa and supports the presence of 11 companies from the region

The AICS Office in Maputo, in close coordination and synergy with the Embassies of Italy in Maputo, Lusaka, Harare and Luanda, with the respective Offices of ICE – the Italian Trade Agency, as well as with AICS Headquarters, participated on 20–21 November in the 12th edition of the CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa, organised by The European House – Ambrosetti in Johannesburg. AICS was recognised as a Golden Sponsor of the event.

Launched in 2014, the Forum has become the main platform in Southern Africa for business and institutional leaders interested in exchanging ideas, building partnerships and exploring opportunities for cooperation between Europe and the African continent, with a particular focus on the SADC region. Its core objective is to promote strategic business opportunities and strengthen commercial and political relations between the two continents.

In this edition, AICS Maputo supported the participation of eleven[1] companies from the Office’s five countries of competence — Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe — reaffirming the commitment of the Italian Cooperation to promoting partnerships between the private sector and sustainable development in Southern Africa.

On 21 November, the Head of the AICS Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, delivered a keynote address during the panel “Promoting Resilience: Energy-Smart and Circular Agrifood Value Chains”, where the discussion focused on the contribution of the renewable energy–food–circularity nexus to increasing SME competitiveness, improving food security and strengthening climate resilience.

His intervention also highlighted concrete examples of collaboration with the private sector, including the recent joint launch of Blue Economy initiatives with ENI in Cabo Delgado and the partnership with Illy to develop the coffee sector in Malawi and Mozambique.

One of the most significant moments of the event was the signing of the CEO Manifesto on the Future of African Business, where AICS was represented by the Head of the Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli. The document brings together ten priorities identified by the private sector to promote sustainable growth in Africa, and AICS’ endorsement underscores its commitment to fostering constructive dialogue between public institutions and economic actors. The Manifesto will be delivered to the South African Presidency and to G20 leaders, meeting in the country the following day, so that these recommendations may contribute to global discussions on investment and development.

Reflecting on the participation, Paolo Enrico Sertoli underlined that “the presence of the Italian Development Cooperation and AICS at the CEO Forum on Southern Africa represents a moment of great significance: on one hand, it allows us to present the strategies of the Italian Cooperation in Southern Africa; on the other, it engages local companies — often small or very small — in an inspiring context full of development opportunities.”

He further added that “in the spirit of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway, the Italian Cooperation considers the private sector a key actor in development dynamics, particularly in the agrifood and energy sectors, where the experience of companies provides concrete added value in our operational contexts.”

For Fumukazi, representing Phoka Coffee Growers from Malawi, “the real value of the Forum was the community. Connecting with peers facing similar challenges is invaluable. I will be leaving with a stronger network.”

On his side, Paulo de Lemos from Artcult Angola highlighted the strategic relevance of the event: “the Forum provided an exclusive platform to build and strengthen high-level relationships with key decision-makers from both the public and private sectors across the region.”

Throughout the Forum, the Head of AICS Maputo office, engaged with internationally prominent figures, including José Manuel Durão Barroso, Chair of the GAVI Alliance and former President of the European Commission, and Enrico Letta, former President of the Council of Ministers of Italy. These exchanges allowed for substantive discussions on themes such as education, training, and health.

This edition of the CEO Dialogue underscored the growing relevance of Europe–Africa cooperation, especially in a year when South Africa hosts the G20 Summit — a moment that brings renewed attention to regional priorities and opportunities, reinforcing the strategic relevance of a strengthened Europe–Africa partnership.

[1] From Mozambique, Café Vumba, Café Chimanimani, Cooperativa Frutas de Barué and Leonardo Green Deal took part in the event; from Angola, Mitagro LDA and ArtCult Lda were present; from Zimbabwe, Murimi 247 and the Cicada Group participated; from Zambia, Balmoral Farm Ltd and Real Naturation Africa joined; and from Malawi, the Phoka Coffee Growers Cooperative attended.