Development cooperation

Mozambique is historically one of the priority countries of the Italian Cooperation. Indeed, it remains among the poorest in the world (in 180th place out of 189 countries in the United Nations Human Development ranking for 2019) and has always been linked to Italy by a strong relationship of friendship. The objective therefore is to continue to actively support its development, consistently with the main political and programmatic instruments adopted by the Mozambican government and the United Nations.

Since 1982, Italy has disbursed donation funds for about 890 million euros in favor of Mozambique. The sectors in which Italian support has historically been concentrated are: agriculture and rural development; education, technical-professional and university training; health care. Programs for approximately 250 million euros are currently underway, of which 130 million in subsidized loans (60 million for drainage and urban development in Maputo, 35 million for professional technical training in agriculture and tourism, 35 million for post-cyclone reconstruction) and the rest for donations.

Mozambique is particularly exposed to the consequences of climate change. In this context, during 2019 (between March and April) the central and northern provinces of the country were hit by Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which generated damages and losses for over 3 billion dollars. The Italian commitment in the phases of emergency and post-cyclone reconstruction, which is still underway, is very significant. First of all, the granting of an aid credit of 35 million euros was announced, the concrete use of which is currently being studied in favor of the resumption of productive activities in the agricultural sector, with institutional partners (Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development). In addition, the field surgical hospital set up during the emergency, worth 2.2 million euros, was definitively donated to the central hospital of the city of Beira after a period of training of local medical personnel by the personnel of the Italian Civil Protection.

2.7 million euros were also allocated for the restoration of services and the economic-social fabric for the populations hit by the two cyclones; other interventions concerned the Provinces of Manica and Sofala: 350,000 euros through the CSOs for the improvement of the living conditions of displaced persons and 605,000 euros through the Manica Delegation of the Agricultural Development Fund (FDA), dependent on the Ministry of Agriculture and Development Rural, were aimed at food safety measures.

The presence of Italian civil society is significant, with over 30 organizations active in the country.

For more information on the activities of the Italian Cooperation in Mozambique it is suggested to consult the web page of the AICS Office (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) in Maputo at the following internet address: https://maputo.aics.gov.it/