In Mozambique Switzerland’s development cooperation focuses on three areas: economic development, health and governance. Switzerland supports local projects, mainly in the three northern provinces of Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula. At the national level, it is actively involved in political dialogue with the aim of combating poverty and promoting political and economic transition.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. Even today over half the population lives below the poverty line. The public budget remains highly dependent on foreign aid. More than 80% of the population are smallholder farmers and are especially vulnerable to natural disasters. In addition, there is the AIDS epidemic, which hinders development progress. On the other hand, Mozambique is currently looking towards a strong economic boom in the commodities sector. The high economic growth of more than 8% in the last few years fell sharply in 2016 owing to the debt crisis (3.7%). Mozambique will however continue to be one of Africa's fastest growing economies in the longer term.

Switzerland has been active in Mozambique since 1979. The main goal of Swiss development cooperation is to support Mozambique in reducing poverty and creating a society that is politically and economically inclusive for all. At the national level, Switzerland is involved in political dialogue and is supporting the government in the implementation of institutional reforms in various sectors.

Locally, Switzerland is working together with individual communities. In its new cooperation strategy for 2017-2020, Switzerland will focus geographically on three northern provinces and thematically on good governance, health and economic development. Switzerland has also provided greater support for the peace process financially, logistically and through technical expertise since 2016 and took over the chair of the International Contact Group in 2017. In addition, it carried out rapid and comprehensive relief operations to provide drinking water after the two cyclones in 2019.

Health

Strengthening the health system and preventing diseases

At the national level, Switzerland supports the government's sector-wide approach, providing technical and financial advice for the implementation of a single and comprehensive policy and reform of the health sector. At a decentralised level, Switzerland is active in improving services in health and water supply. It is also enabling local communities to enter into dialogue with the authorities and to call for accountability and transparency in public health spending. In the province of Cabo Delgado, Switzerland helped ensure that the proportion of mothers who gave birth in health centres was increased from 66% (2010) to 88% (2018). Thanks to Switzerland’s contribution, an additional 60,000 people in Niassa and Cabo Delgado provinces received access to clean drinking water each year.

Health

Economic development

Poverty reduction and economic growth for all

In the Nacala corridor, Switzerland supports small enterprises, mostly farmers, in the strengthening of value chains and is actively promoting microfinance to improve access to financial services. Through the sustainable improvement of agricultural value chains mainly by including the private sector, the income of more than 23,000 smallholder farmers was increased by an average of 70% per year within 4 years. This outreach includes people benefitting from small loans under financial inclusion activities.

SECO complements the SDC's activities by providing technical advice in the area of overall economic support.

Private Sector Development and financial services

Governance

Decentralization and capacity-building

Switzerland supports Mozambique's decentralisation reforms that have been made possible by the peace process. The reforms open up the possibility for a coherent, decentralised system as an important condition for greater political stability and integration. Switzerland supports the local authorities in shaping planning and budget processes in an efficient and participatory way; at the same time, it also helps empower local civil society to demand more accountability and transparency. Switzerland also works to protect land rights and ensure the sustainable use and extraction of natural resources. By strengthening dialogue and practical cooperation between the local authorities, civil society and the private sector, private-sector investment is promoted and Mozambique's population receives the statutory proportion of the profits generated by use of the country's land and natural resources.

In 2019, the SDC launched a new anti-corruption programme to strengthen the capacities of the Attorney General's Office to combat corruption and economic crime and return illicitly acquired assets.

Advocacy and Good Governance

History of cooperation

Swiss support in times of peace and war

Switzerland’s engagement in Mozambique started in 1880 when Swiss missionaries pioneered access to primary education for Mozambicans. Formal development cooperation started in 1979, shortly after Mozambique’s independence and at the beginning of a devastating 16-year civil war.

The first SDC projects focused on water, health and rural development. During the peace process, Switzerland made a significant contribution to the demobilization and rehabilitation of the battle-worn country. Since the peace agreement in 1992, Switzerland has increased its support to Mozambique mainly focusing on economic development, health and water including sanitation, governance and strengthening of civil society.

Multilateral cooperation

Switzerland’s multilateral cooperation includes working with UNICEF in the water and sanitation sector; with the World Bank, the WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF in the health sector; and with the UNDP to promote decentralisation.

Cross-cutting themes:

Gender equality and HIV/AIDS

Switzerland consistently applies its gender policy in all projects and is committed to equality between men and women. It also promotes prevention and protection against HIV/AIDS through awareness-raising activities.

Partners

• Swiss NGOs:  Helvetas , Swisscontact, Solidar Suisse and Solidarmed
• Ministries, provincial and district authorities
• Mozambican NGOs and civil society organisations: e.g. Centro de Integridade Publica, Instituto de Estudios
• International NGOs: e.g. Netherlands Development Organisation, Concern Universal
• Donor community (G19)