The Maputo municipality aims to reinforce support from Japan, one of Mozambique’s main project financiers, particularly in the areas of waste management and urban mobility in the capital. The goal is to ensure the continuation of training and capacity-building programs for municipal staff, Lusa reported.
“The main support we have been receiving is the training of our staff who have been to Japan, where they receive training in solid waste planning and management,” explained Razaque Manhique, mayor of Maputo.
In addition to waste management, Japanese cooperation has also supported the transport and mobility sector. “We can see here, during the period we participated in activities in Tokyo and other parts of Japan, how the Japanese deal with transportation,” the mayor added.
Razaque Manhique stressed that Japan is “the right place” with “the right people” for effective cooperation. “What we came here to do is ask them to continue working with us and to carry on with this training, also from the perspective of implementing these projects, which are likewise linked to urban planning,” he said.
Takada Hiroyuki, director-general of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), highlighted the progress made in Maputo municipality and assured that Japan will continue to support these transformations. In January, the Japanese government reaffirmed its intention to maintain cooperation with Mozambique, calling for rapid stabilization of security and “dialogue” among all parties following the violent demonstrations that erupted after the October 9 elections.
“Japan intends to continue cooperation with Mozambique for the prosperity of the peoples of both countries, based on long-standing friendship,” stated Kitamura Toshihiro, spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as quoted by the Japanese embassy in Maputo.
In March 2024, Japan announced financing of 55.1 million U.S. dollars (3.5 billion meticais) for projects in Mozambique. According to Ambassador Hamada Keiji, Mozambique is the first country to benefit from the new model of international cooperation, which integrates different initiatives under a single package, in line with the new Development Cooperation Charter.
Source: Diário Económico
