The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) and the MozYouth foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, March 5, a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of collaborating in identifying host companies for more than two thousand young people to access professional internship opportunities in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa over the next three years.
According to a statement, the initiative aims to tackle the challenge of youth unemployment in the northern region of the country by promoting the integration of young people into the formal labor market, supporting the private sector with qualified talent, and strengthening the competitiveness of local companies.
The program will be implemented in collaboration with CTA’s Provincial Business Centers (CEP) in the three target provinces, which are responsible for mobilizing companies to take on interns and facilitating the connection between the private sector and young beneficiaries.
According to CTA, the involvement of the business sector is fundamental to the success of the initiative. “A professional internship creates a safe learning environment where young people gain practical experience and companies can identify and develop talent. By integrating young people into their structures, companies contribute directly to social stability, increased family income, and strengthening the economic fabric in Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa,” said Amâncio Gune, vice president of CTA.
MozYouth will be responsible for implementing and managing the internship program, including recruiting and selecting candidates, in coordination with the CEPs and host companies. The signing of this memorandum comes at an opportune moment, considering that the MozYouth Foundation is the implementing entity of the Professional Skills Development and Paid Internship Program in these provinces.
The program is led by the Government, through the Conecta Negócios project, with technical support from the Northern Integrated Development Agency (ADIN), under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and financing from the World Bank. The goal is that at least 50% of the interns who successfully complete the program will subsequently be integrated into the permanent staff of the companies where they did their internships.
“We are investing in youth employability as a pillar of economic stability and sustainable development. This program was designed to create real pathways to permanent employment, ensuring that young people acquire professional experience, technical, behavioral, and entrepreneurial skills aligned with the real needs of businesses and the local economy,” said Onório Manuel, member of the MozYouth Board of Directors.
The program’s activities include presentation sessions, business events, and webinars aimed at local companies, as well as mechanisms for monitoring and periodically evaluating results, reinforcing efforts to promote youth employment and strengthen the business ecosystem in the northern provinces of the country.
