The Productive Social Action Program (PASP) has exceeded its 2025 beneficiary target, with 129,555 people registered—surpassing the initial goal of 98,206. However, only 65,551 beneficiaries received actual payments, corresponding to 50.6% coverage, according to the Mozambique Information Agency.
The total number of registrants includes participants in the public works component and the Support for the Development of Income-Generating Initiatives (ADIGR) component. Although the target for public works remains at 98,206 beneficiaries, the number of payments made fell short of expectations, highlighting operational and financial challenges in implementing the program.
Speaking at the opening of the First National Symposium on Economic Inclusion within the Framework of Basic Social Security Programs, held in Maputo, the Minister of Labor, Gender, and Social Action, Ivete Ferrão Alane, emphasized that the government’s objective is to transform social protection into a tool for economic autonomy for families.
“We need to transform social protection into an increasingly effective tool for the economic inclusion, dignity, and independence of Mozambican families,” she stated.
According to the minister, this approach is in line with the vision of President Daniel Chapo, who has advocated for the need to strengthen the country’s economic independence.
The minister explained that the PASP is one of the main tools of this strategy, as it combines public works, cash transfers, and support for income-generating initiatives.
“The PASP demonstrates that social protection can go beyond immediate poverty relief and serve as a true platform for economic inclusion,” she said.
By 2025, the program was projected to cover 98,206 beneficiaries in the public works component and 46,830 in the ADIGR. During the period under review, 129,555 beneficiaries were enrolled, of whom 51,052 were men and 78,503 were women, exceeding the established target. However, only 65,551 beneficiaries received payments, representing 50.6% of the total.
“This data shows the program’s reach, but also a challenge we cannot ignore: we need to expand effective coverage and improve payment capacity so that more families can regularly benefit from these opportunities for economic inclusion,” the minister emphasized.
The minister added that other basic social security programs can also help boost local economies by increasing the consumption capacity of the most vulnerable families.
“When families receive regular cash assistance, even if the amount is modest, their ability to purchase food, medicine, and other essential goods increases, thereby stimulating small businesses and the circulation of resources within communities,” she explained.
Ivete Ferrão Alane also highlighted the progress made in digitizing the social protection system, which has led to greater transparency and efficiency in payment management.
According to data presented, 372,478 electronic accounts were opened for beneficiaries of the main social programs, with 208,708 payments made via electronic transfers. “Social protection is opening doors to a new form of economic and social participation, integrating thousands of citizens into formal financial transaction mechanisms,” she stated.
During the symposium, the government and partners also discussed ways to strengthen productive inclusion, improve the response to shocks and emergencies, expand opportunities for youth and women, and strengthen partnerships with the private sector and civil society.
“We want to affirm a clear vision: social protection should not be viewed merely as a cost, but as an investment in people, in communities, and in Mozambique’s economic future,” he concluded.
