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.

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.

On 10 November 2025, the ECOBLU Project – Sustainable and Integrated Development of Marine and Coastal Resources in Cabo Delgado Province was launched in Pemba.

Funded by the Italian Cooperation with an amount of 3.5 million euros, the programme aims to promote the economic and social empowerment of coastal communities through the development of alternative and sustainable livelihoods linked to the blue economy, while simultaneously contributing to the preservation of marine and coastal ecosystems in Mozambique. The initiative will be implemented by the Italian NGO OIKOS.

The project launch took place on the first day of the “Sistema Italia” mission to Cabo Delgado Province, led by the Embassy of Italy in Mozambique, with the participation of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), the Italy–Mozambique Chamber of Commerce, AICS, and ENI.

During his remarks, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of AICS Maputo Office, highlighted that “the Italian Cooperation has been working closely with Mozambican institutions to promote and strengthen the blue economy. In Marracuene, through the A-GEO programme, the Macaneta beach has been transformed into Mozambique’s pilot beach, an example of sustainable management of coastal resources. With the Mangrowth project, mangroves are being reforested in Maputo Bay.” These two initiatives, together with the newly launched ECOBLU project, represent a total investment of 9.5 million euros in programmes related to the sea and the blue economy in Mozambique.

For his part, Gabriele Annis, Ambassador of Italy to Mozambique, stressed that “the sea — of which Mozambique has one of the longest coastlines in Africa, stretching about 2,750 kilometres, and which has historically connected our cultures and peoples — continues today to unite us as a symbol of friendship, trust, and cooperation between our nations.”

The event also marked the launch of the Blu Ibo Niri Project – Enhancing Livelihoods through Environmental Conservation and Economic Development, funded by ENI Rovuma Basin on behalf of the Area 4 Partners.

The initiative reinforces the synergies between the Italian Cooperation and the private sector, as highlighted in the Letter of Intent signed in June 2025 between AICS and ENI.

In her remarks, Marica Calabrese, General Manager of ENI in Mozambique, stated: “It is a great honour to be here today in Pemba to mark the beginning of such important projects for Cabo Delgado Province and for all Mozambicans. Today we are not only celebrating the launch of these projects but also the continuation of this valuable and meaningful collaboration between ENI, Italy, Mozambique, and all the people present here.”

The event also featured the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between AICS, represented by Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Head of AICS Maputo Office, and the Government of Cabo Delgado Province, represented by Iolanda Almeida, Provincial Director of Tourism and Culture.

The ceremony concluded with the first meeting of the Programme’s Steering Committee, consolidating institutional coordination and a shared vision for the sustainable development of Cabo Delgado’s coastal communities.

The AIM Zambia initiative was launched on  9 October in Lusaka, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The programme aims to strengthen resilience and improve the living conditions of rural communities across Zambia. It forms part of a broader €3.5 million regional programme designed to enhance climate resilience and mitigate the impacts of El Niño in Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.

The launch event was attended by H.E. Enrico De Agostini, Ambassador of Italy to Zambia; Mr. Makoye Chisuta, Representative of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU); Ms. Luciana Andreini, Manager of the AICS Office in Lusaka; as well as representatives from implementing partners, donors, and the Government of Zambia.

Specifically, the project seeks to enhance the resilience and living conditions of rural communities in the Western, Southern, Central, and Lusaka Provinces, reaching approximately 61,850 people, including children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and persons with disabilities. It will be implemented by CELIM, in partnership with Africa Call Organisation, CBM, People in Need, ADRA, and Keepers Zambia Foundation.

Luciana Andreini, Manager of the AICS Lusaka Office, together with H.E. Enrico De Agostini, the Italian Ambassador to Zambia.

During her remarks, Luciana Andreini underlined that “Zambia has experienced the devastating effects of El Niño, one of the most severe droughts in recent history. Entire harvests have been lost, livestock has perished, and millions of households are facing food insecurity.” Indeed, President Hakainde Hichilema declared the El Niño crisis a national disaster, underscoring the magnitude of its impact.

The programme will not only respond to the immediate effects of the crisis but also aims to build the resilience of vulnerable communities so they can better withstand future climate shocks, as highlighted by the AICS Manager in Lusaka.

The Ambassador of Italy to Zambia further added, “Climate change is real and the occurrence of weather-related catastrophic events cannot be ruled out in Zambia. But humans adapt. This project aims at providing the populations concerned with the correct instruments to face them: climate-smart agriculture is a necessity in modern Zambia and Italy is here to help.”

Zambia has been recognized as a priority country for the Italian Cooperation since 2024. Last month, the new Italian Cooperation / AICS Office in Lusaka was inaugurated, reaffirming Italy’s long-term commitment to the country. The AIM Zambia Project represents a strong signal of Italy’s renewed engagement and commitment to supporting Zambia’s sustainable and inclusive development.

​

Group photo

Luciana Andreini Manager AICS Lusaka Office with Mattia Binacchi, Africa Call Organization

From September 27 to 30, the Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Marco Riccardo Rusconi, carried out a mission to Mozambique, during which he visited several projects supported by the Italian Cooperation.

Accompanied by the Head of the Maputo Office, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, the Director visited the Municipality of Marracuene, where he became acquainted with the activities of the A-GEO project – Environment, Green/Blue Economy and Employment – which, thanks to Italian funding, has transformed Macaneta into the country’s pilot beach.

During the visit, Rusconi observed aquaculture activities promoted by a local association, which had already benefited from the distribution of 19,750 fingerlings to the Hobjana Association. He also visited the four lifeguard towers and attended a practical demonstration conducted by the 18 lifeguards trained under the project. Together with the President of the Marracuene Municipal Council, Shafee Sidat, he discussed prospects for future collaboration, including the construction of new infrastructures to support local development, such as a police station or a fish market.

The mission also included an important institutional moment with the inauguration of the new Operations Room of CENOE, implemented under the Ready2Act programme. The initiative is led by the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction of Mozambique (INGD) in partnership with the CIMA Foundation, in collaboration with WeWorld, and with the strategic support of the Italian Civil Protection Department.

Mozambique is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in Africa, as demonstrated by past cyclones such as Idai, Kenneth and Freddy. “Thanks to this new facility, the country is now better prepared to coordinate responses to climate and humanitarian emergencies. Integrated within the national civil protection system, this Operations Room strengthens Mozambique’s capacity to forecast, alert, and respond in a coordinated manner to emergencies,” Rusconi commented.

The mission also featured a significant moment for the promotion of cultural and scientific heritage: the reopening of the Natural History Museum of Maputo, a historic building in the capital founded in 1911 and closed in 2023 for rehabilitation works, carried out thanks to a €4,250,000 investment under the RINO programme, specifically dedicated to its enhancement.

The Museum’s collections stand out for their extraordinary scientific and patrimonial value: among the most remarkable exhibits are more than 200 mammals, 10,137 birds, 176,527 insects, 1,250 invertebrates and 150 taxidermied reptiles. Alongside this unique collection, the renovated Museum includes new thematic areas, such as an ethnographic hall featuring around 500 objects related to the cultural practices of Mozambique’s diverse peoples – art, sculpture, music, goldsmithing, pottery and basketry – complemented by a historical photographic archive.

In his address, Director Rusconi emphasized that “Mozambique now has a renewed and modern Natural History Museum, designed for the future of research and conservation. The Italian Cooperation is proud to have contributed to this achievement and reaffirms its commitment to science, education, and sustainability.”

During his stay, the Director also met with the AICS technical team to review the progress of ongoing projects, as well as with GONG – the umbrella organization coordinating more than 36 civil society organizations in the country. He also held meetings with representatives of the private sector, such as ENI, and with the academic community, including Sapienza University of Rome and the CIMA Foundation. Finally, he met with the Dom Bosco Institute to explore possible future collaborations.

Commenting on the outcomes of the mission, Rusconi stated: “Mozambique is a priority country for the Italian Cooperation, which has been present here for half a century, and for the Mattei Plan. We are working to implement ambitious projects as quickly as possible, involving civil society, Italian technical excellence, the private sector and academia. In this way, we aim to present ourselves to our Mozambican friends as comprehensive partners.”