The Professional Training Centre of the Instituto de Formação Profissional e Estudos Laborais Alberto Cassimo (IFPELAC) in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado province, hosted the opening of the northern regional heat of the 2026 Welding Olympics (OS26) on Friday, 4 September. The edition marks the first national expansion of the initiative, which will now be held in both the northern and southern regions of Mozambique.
According to a statement received by Diário Económico, students and instructors from the main technical and vocational training institutions in Cabo Delgado demonstrated their welding skills over two days, with assessments conducted by internationally certified judges. The opening ceremony was attended by Valige Tauabo, Governor of Cabo Delgado, Satar Abdulgani, President of the Municipal Council of Pemba, and Matthew Scharf, Director of Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Mozambique, the initiative’s principal sponsor.
“More than a competition, the Welding Olympics represent an opportunity to strengthen the technical capabilities of young people who have chosen welding as a profession. This initiative promotes local talent, reinforces community resilience, and is firmly aligned with public policies on economic development, vocational training, and employment,” said Governor Tauabo.
The staging of the regional heat in Cabo Delgado comes at a moment when the province is taking on a strategic role in the development of the oil and gas industry. The growth of the sector heightens the need to upskill the national workforce and create opportunities for young technicians, boosting local content and the participation of Mozambican professionals in major industrial projects.
“Developing technical skills such as welding is fundamental to ensuring that Mozambicans are prepared to take advantage of the employment opportunities that the oil and gas sector will create. We are committed to ensuring that communities in Cabo Delgado benefit from training, employment, and business opportunities, and the Welding Olympics are a concrete expression of that commitment,” said Matthew Scharf.
Beyond the competitive heats, OS26 seeks to promote technical and vocational education through a talent fair, networking sessions, and a documentary mini-series. The initiative brings together training institutions and companies to create internship, certification, and employment opportunities for young Mozambicans.
The 2026 edition will also recognise the best welders from both the northern and southern regions. Following the Pemba event, the competition moves to Matola on 9 and 10 September, ahead of the National Awards Ceremony, which will bring together the top performers from both regional heats.
“This edition represents an important step in consolidating the Welding Olympics as a national benchmark. The expansion to Cabo Delgado broadens the reach of the initiative, involves a greater number of technical and vocational training institutions, and makes the assessment process more comprehensive and consistent,” said Mateus Costa Santos, coordinator of the Welding Olympics. “Our objective is for this platform to continue to bridge technical education and industry, and to create real opportunities for young Mozambicans.”
OS26 is supported by partners including ExxonMobil, GIZ, the European Union, Ascending, Absa, Tri-M, the Industrial Association of Mozambique, the Industrial and Commercial Institute of Matola, and IFPELAC. The expansion to the northern region underscores the initiative’s commitment to developing technical skills and preparing a new generation of professionals for the industrial sector.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/09/negocios/industria/olimpiadas-de-soldadura-expandem-se-ao-norte-e-reforcam-formacao-tecnica/
