Since 2019, the GET.invest Mozambique programme has mobilized approximately €12.5 million to support sustainable energy projects in Mozambique’s private sector.
Funded by the European Union and Germany and implemented by GIZ, the initiative aims primarily to unlock capital for energy projects tailored to the local context—potentially exceeding €9 billion, given the country’s energy potential and the flagship projects identified in Mozambique’s Energy Transition Strategy.
In an interview, José Mestre, coordinator of GET.invest Mozambique, revealed that four projects have reached financial close, while 21 companies received technical assistance to become bankable.
This pipeline represents a potential for private investment of around €360 million. The supported initiatives range from clean cooking solutions, mini-grids, and electric mobility to power generation for sale to Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), the state-owned electricity generation and distribution company.
“To date, we have four projects that have reached financial close, totaling around €12.5 million in investment. We hope more supported companies can also reach this stage,” said Mestre.
During the most recent RenMoz – Renewable Energy Business Conference in Mozambique, the potential for generating skilled employment in the sector was estimated at over 18,000 jobs.
However, despite the programme’s progress, Mestre regrets the lack of systematic monitoring of the social impact of these investments. He acknowledged that this gap could raise doubts about the real social outcomes of projects that reach financial close—such as youth employment and improved quality of life for local communities. Nevertheless, many of these projects contribute to economic development, especially in rural areas where the initiatives take place.
“We support projects upstream, before implementation. Our role is to help companies secure financing. After that, it’s a matter between the company and the investor,” he explained.
Mestre stressed that, due to contractual conditions, the names of supported companies remain confidential to protect commercial negotiations.
“Our support is confidential. That’s part of our terms. The details of this support cannot be made public,” he emphasized.
He also responded to criticism about the frequent use of international consultants for technical studies and transaction support, pointing out that technical expertise is essential to attract investors.
“This technical support is indeed provided by consultants—often in mixed teams of Mozambican and international experts. We need to convince financiers, together with the companies we support, that their investment is secure. This is highly specialized support that requires technical knowledge and mastery of international financial instruments, and the consultants we work with are based around the world,” Mestre explained.
Despite the achievements, several barriers to project implementation remain in the country. These include gaps in the regulatory framework and a mismatch between the investment profiles sought by financiers—typically large-scale—and the reality of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) supported by the programme.
Sector data shows a growing renewable energy ecosystem, with operationalized projects already in place. However, the lack of detailed information on social impacts, project-level financing, and meaningful Mozambican participation could hinder the full understanding of GET.invest’s impact. It is therefore crucial to include regional data, promoter profiles, and concrete financing and outcome details in the future.
GET.invest Mozambique is the national window of the European GET.invest programme, which prepares projects for investment and promotes a stronger renewable energy ecosystem. It does so by providing market and financing information, matchmaking events, support for accessing finance, and collaboration with key players such as the Mozambican Renewable Energy Association (AMER) and the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER). The programme is co-financed by the European Union and Germany.
Source: AIM
