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.

Celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in collaboration with the Forum of Mozambican Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FAMOD) and other partners, celebrated today in Maputo the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event was held under the theme “For the Implementation of the Disability Act in Mozambique”, highlighting the importance of turning legislative principles into concrete actions to benefit persons with disabilities.

This year, the celebration in Mozambique holds particular significance due to the recent approval of the Law for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first specific legislation adopted by the Mozambican Parliament on April 3, 2024.

The event brought together key institutional figures and civil society representatives, including the President of FAMOD, Cantol Podja, the U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique, Peter Vrooman, and the Deputy Director of AICS Maputo, Maria Cristina Pescante. Representatives of Italian NGOs such as ACAP, AIFO, and CUAMM, alongside other civil society actors committed to promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities, were also present.

The celebration took place at the Parque dos Continuadores and began with a symbolic run, embodying the spirit of inclusion and the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities. Several stands were set up in the park to showcase projects funded by AICS, such as INCLU.DE and the Non-Communicable Diseases Programme, both aimed at strengthening inclusion and the rights of persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on the health sector.

The President of FAMOD, Cantol Podja, emphasized that “the approval of the first law on the rights of persons with disabilities represents a crucial opportunity for society to reflect and renew efforts to eliminate inequalities and human rights violations. However, we all understand that this is just a starting point: the approval of the law marks the end of one phase and the beginning of an even more challenging one, that of its effective implementation.”

The Deputy Director of AICS, Maria Cristina Pescante, reiterated the commitment of Italian cooperation, stating: “The promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities is a historical priority for Italian cooperation.” She added that AICS has actively collaborated with local institutions and Italian civil society organizations “in initiatives aimed at the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, with a particular focus on health, employment, and human rights.”

The celebration reaffirms the commitment of AICS and its partners to continue efforts to ensure full respect and implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. This commitment is particularly relevant in light of the significant milestone achieved by Mozambique in 2024, with the approval of its first law dedicated to the rights of persons with disabilities.

United for Equality: AICS Maputo’s Commitment to Ending Gender-Based Violence

In Mozambique, gender-based violence is one of the main social challenges affecting millions of women, taking various forms such as economic, physical, and sexual abuse. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), approximately 35% of Mozambican women have experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner. Despite progress made, gender inequalities remain significant, with women representing only 27% of parliamentary members and being underrepresented in decision-making positions.

In the international context, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 set fundamental goals for gender equality. Thirty years after its adoption, Mozambique continues to pursue these goals, although gender-based violence and discrimination remain challenges to be addressed.

On the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, AICS Maputo joins the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls campaign, under the theme “Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.” With the goal of eliminating gender-based violence by 2030, the initiative aims to ensure that every woman and girl can live without fear.

Among the most significant initiatives of AICS, we highlight:

DELPAZ, a project that supports local economic development by improving livelihoods in rural areas as a key to peace and stability, with a particular focus on women and vulnerable groups. The project involves over 20,000 beneficiaries in the provinces of Manica and Tete, with 15,285 women in Manica and 5,504 in Tete. Among the expected results, DELPAZ aims to improve the living conditions of rural communities, with specific attention to gender equality.
‘Coding Girls’, which promotes female involvement in the tech sector, improving girls’ access to digital technologies and supporting the development of ICT skills. The project has trained 586 high school students (ages 16-18) and 80 university students, with the creation of 7 female-run businesses in the ICT sector, supported by the CI-UEM business incubator – Innovation Space
‘As Mulheres do SUSTENTA’, which involves over 8,000 women, including female farmers and small producers. The project promotes the creation of 2 sustainable production chains, strengthening the capacities of public institutions and developing measures to support female entrepreneurship, agro-food product quality, and environmental sustainability.

Today, dressed in orange, the symbol of hope and a future free from violence, our team reaffirms its commitment to continue working for a world where every woman and girl can live free from fear and discrimination. 🧡

Participation of AICS Maputo in the 11th Edition of the CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa organized by The European House Ambrosetti (TEHA): Promoting Agribusiness and Integration in the SADC

The AICS Maputo office, in close coordination with the AICS Directorate-General, the AICS Deputy Technical Directorate, and AICS Office VII, participated in the 11th Edition of the CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa organized by The European House Ambrosetti (TEHA), which took place on November 14-15, 2024, in Johannesburg. Launched in 2014, this forum serves as a key platform in Southern Africa for business and institutional leaders to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and explore collaboration opportunities in Europe-Africa relations, with a specific focus on the SADC region. Its objective is to foster strategic business opportunities and strengthen commercial and political ties between the two continents.

In this context, the AICS Maputo office, in collaboration with the Italian Embassies in Maputo and Lusaka, ICE (Italian Trade Agency), and other partners such as UNIDO and the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), supported the participation of five companies[1] from Mozambique (particularly from the Manica Province) and two companies from Zambia[2] at the Forum. These companies operate in sectors such as dried pineapple production, goat farming, agricultural inputs supply, and fruit trading. Thanks to the Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings organized during the Forum, these companies had the opportunity to explore new collaborations with CEOs and executives from public and private entities across the region.

One of the central themes of the Forum was the potential of agro-industry in the region. In this regard, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of the AICS Maputo office, participated in a panel on “Unlocking Agroindustry Potential: Sustainable and Inclusive Growth for Business and Communities.” During his intervention, he highlighted the crucial role of AICS in supporting agribusiness in the SADC region by financing sustainable agricultural value chains and promoting public-private partnerships.

As an example, he mentioned the project of the Manica Agro-Food Center (CAAM), one of the nine pilot initiatives included under the Mattei Plan for Africa, launched in January 2024 by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The goal is to establish an agro-processing center in Manica Province (Mozambique) to support agricultural SMEs by enhancing production, processing, and market access. As Sertoli emphasized: “Thanks to its strategic location along the Beira Corridor, it will have a catalytic impact not only on Mozambique but also on neighboring countries, fostering regional trade and the development of the agri-food sector.”

The project is complemented by other initiatives also funded by the Italian Development Cooperation and AICS in the region (including PRODAI and ZIM-MOZA), aimed at promoting agro-trade and reducing barriers to facilitate regional commerce.

The Forum was attended by prominent figures, including Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of the Italian Republic; Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance of Zimbabwe; Pietro Mininni, CEO of The European House – Ambrosetti Africa; Alberto Vecchi, Italian Ambassador to South Africa; Lorenzo Galanti, Director-General of ICE; Riccardo Zani, Executive Director of INALCA; Raffaele Cattaneo, Undersecretary for International and European Relations of the Lombardy Region; and Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University. The Ambassadors of Angola and Mozambique, along with former ministers from various countries, also participated.

The participation of the AICS Maputo office in the CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa marks a decisive step in promoting sustainable development and socio-economic inclusion in the SADC region. Starting in 2024, the Maputo office has expanded its scope, adding Angola and Zambia to the three countries already covered (Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe), thereby reaching a total of five SADC countries with a combined population of 148 million. The collaborations initiated demonstrate AICS’s strong commitment to strengthening the agro-industrial sector to tackle common challenges, such as the effects of El Niño and food crises, by focusing on public-private partnerships to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

[1] The five companies from Mozambique that participated in the Forum were: Agromaco, Luteari – Insumos e Serviços Agrícolas, Novo Mundo Comércio e Serviços, Agropecuária Frutas de Révuè, and Cooperativa Frutas de Báruè.

[2] The two companies from Zambia that participated in the Forum were: Zamgoat Products e Northwest Crown Fruits.