Quelimane will be the focus of a new project to strengthen flood protection, funded by Germany and the Netherlands to the tune of $21.6 million, as part of a joint initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of climate change in Zambezia Province.
The initiative was announced during a visit by the ambassadors of those countries, taking place from March 24 to 26, with a focus on urban development adapted to new climate dynamics. The project, titled Resilient Urban Development, will be implemented in the city of Quelimane and combines engineering interventions with ecological solutions to reduce the impact of flooding and improve drainage systems.
According to a joint statement, “the Netherlands and Germany work closely together in Europe as well as in Mozambique. It is with great joy and pride that we announce this new joint project.” The diplomats also emphasize that the initiative is the result of coordinated action with local and national authorities.
“Side by side with the city of Quelimane, the province of Zambezia, and partners at the national level, we are helping to ensure that Quelimane remains a welcoming and safe city for its residents and a thriving private sector,” they add.
The project is part of the strategy known as ZamVisão, which aims to strengthen the province’s capacity to respond to floods amid growing climate vulnerability. During the visit, the ambassadors will meet with the Secretary of State for Zambezia, the provincial governor, and the president of the Quelimane Municipal Council, as well as hold meetings with the Ministry of Public Works, Water Resources, and Housing.
The agenda also includes interactions with representatives of civil society and the private sector, with a focus on rice production, considered a key activity for the local economy.
The province of Zambézia has been benefiting from various international cooperation programs, particularly in the fields of energy, private sector development, and climate adaptation. Germany and the Netherlands maintain an active partnership in the areas of climate and development, strengthening support for infrastructure projects in Mozambique.
The investment comes at a particularly critical time, marked by worsening floods in Mozambique during the 2025–26 rainy season, which have already claimed 296 lives and affected more than one million people across the country, according to data from the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction.
In addition to the loss of life, the floods caused significant damage to homes, public infrastructure, agricultural production systems, and access roads, highlighting the high vulnerability of several regions, including Zambezia, and underscoring the urgent need for structural investments in climate adaptation measures and resilient urban planning.
