Mozambique

In Mozambique, Switzerland is working to improve access to high-quality basic services and to develop the economy, employment and incomes. It supports local projects, mainly in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula. At the national level, it engages in political dialogue in order to fight poverty and promote political and economic transition.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. In 2020, almost 64% of its population lived below the poverty line and the national budget was still largely dependent on foreign aid. About 80% of the population depends on small-scale farming, which is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. The consequences of the debt crisis in 2016, the two cyclones in 2019 and COVID-19, as well as armed conflicts in the north, pose further challenges to the country's development.

In order to effectively address these complex challenges, Switzerland's approach in Mozambique combines the instruments of development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peace policy. At the national level, Switzerland is committed to political dialogue and supports the government in its various institutional reforms. At the provincial and district level, it works with local communities, concentrating its aid in the north of the country.

The 2022–25 programme focuses on improving access to high-quality basic services and increasing employment and incomes. 

High-quality basic services

Institutions that guarantee services for everyone

Switzerland works to ensure access to basic services that meet the needs of the population. It supports local governments in their efforts to make budgeting and planning processes effective and inclusive, and encourages civil society to engage in dialogue with the authorities and to demand greater transparency and accountability.

In the areas of land rights and natural resource use and extraction, Switzerland strengthens collaboration between local government, civil society and the private sector. This encourages investment and allows the population to receive the legally prescribed share of the profits made in these areas.

The SDC is also strengthening the capacity of the Attorney General's Office to fight corruption and economic crime. In 2020, stolen heritage assets worth USD 95 million were recovered and returned.

As regards health services, over the past four years Swiss development and humanitarian interventions have provided approximately 90,000 people in the north of the country with new access to safe drinking water.

Good governance

Health – a prerequisite for development

Water – a vital resource under threat

Developing the economy, employment and incomes

Poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth

In order to absorb the country's growing young workforce, Switzerland focuses on the development of vocational skills adapted to market needs, particularly in areas that show promise for the future. It also supports small businesses in their efforts to strengthen value chains, in collaboration with the private sector, and promotes micro-financing. Thanks to Switzerland's contribution, over the past four years around 67,000 farmers (46% women) have benefited from improved access to market opportunities and have seen their incomes increase by a total of USD 18.5 million.

SECO complements the SDC's activities with technical advice to stimulate the national economy.

Private sector development and financial services

Transversal themes

Gender equality, good governance and strengthening civil society

Switzerland is committed to gender equality, integrating gender into each phase of its projects and through partnerships with organisations active and competent in the area of gender. In addition, all of its interventions take into account the principles of good governance, for example through policy dialogue. Switzerland's cooperation activities also help to strengthen civil society by fostering an environment that provides more space for expression and increased participation in institutional processes. 

Gender equality

Approach and partners

The 2022–25 programme is implemented by the SDC in close cooperation with SECO and the Peace and Human Rights Division.

Switzerland’s main partners in Mozambique include:

• Swiss NGOs: Helvetas, Swisscontact, Solidar Suisse, Solidarmed, Terre des Hommes, Pestalozzi Foundation, etc.;
• Ministries, provincial and district authorities;
• Mozambican non-governmental and civil society organisations, e.g. Centro de Integridade Pública, Instituto de Estudios;
• Multilateral partners: UNICEF, World Bank, WHO, UNFPA, UNDP;
• International NGOs: e.g. Netherlands Development Organisation, Concern Universal;
• Donor community (G19).