The Government of Mozambique, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), UN Trade and Development, and the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to accelerating green industrialisation as a pathway to economic transformation, job creation, climate resilience and sustainable development across Southern Africa.
The commitment was underscored during the Workshop on Regional Studies on Innovative Climate Action to Accelerate Green Industrialization in Southern Africa, held in Maputo under the United Nations Development Account (UNDA) 17th Tranche Project. The event brought together government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, academia, and civil society to review regional studies and identify practical pathways to advance green industrial development.
Opening the workshop, H.E. Custódia Paunde, State Secretary for Industry at Mozambique’s Ministry of Economy, emphasised that industrialisation remains a fundamental national priority and that sustainability should be seen as an opportunity to modernise production systems and enhance competitiveness.
Photo: Ministério da Economia
“Industrialization remains a central, priority and non-negotiable strategic objective in Mozambique’s development agenda. Our ambition is to expand national productive capacity, increase local value addition, diversify the economy, create decent jobs, and strengthen the participation of Mozambican enterprises in regional and global value chains,” said Custódia Paunde.
She further highlighted Mozambique’s significant renewable energy potential and stressed the need to turn clean-technology investments into productivity gains, energy security, and new industrial opportunities. The Government also emphasised the importance of ensuring that women, youth, MSMEs and local communities’ benefit from the emerging green economy.
Representing ECA, Ms Olayinka Bandele, Chief of the Inclusive Industrialisation Section at the ECA Subregional Office for Southern Africa, called for stronger alignment between climate action, industrial development, and investment across the region.
Photo: Ministério da Economia
“Climate action should not be viewed solely as an environmental imperative. It is equally an economic, industrial and development opportunity. For Africa, the transition to greener and more resilient economies can stimulate innovation, strengthen domestic value addition, attract investment, create decent jobs, and enhance competitiveness,” said Olayinka Bandele.
Ms Bandele noted that Mozambique has many of the ingredients for successful green industrialisation, including renewable energy resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a clear strategic vision. She emphasised that Africa’s green transition must support domestic value addition, innovation, productive employment, and greater participation by MSMEs, women, and youth.
The private sector, represented by Mr João Carlos Frade, President of the Sustainability, Circular Economy, and Climate Change Committee of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA), emphasised the critical role of enterprises, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, in driving the green transition.
Photo: Ministério da Economia
“MSMEs should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of climate policies. They are agents of economic transformation, climate adaptation and green industrialisation,” said Frade.
Mr Frade highlighted the challenges businesses face in accessing finance for green investments and called for innovative financing mechanisms, technical assistance programmes, and blended finance solutions to turn green opportunities into bankable projects.
The workshop’s recommendations are expected to strengthen green industrialisation policies, increase climate finance mobilisation, enhance technology transfer, and increase MSME participation in sustainable value chains across Southern Africa.
Photo: Ministério da Economia
Source: UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) / Press Release