The government is structuring a portfolio of projects with the aim of attracting more than 338 billion meticals (5.2 billion dollars) in investments aimed at expanding the energy sector, with an emphasis on renewable sources and universal access. The information was provided by Nuno Maposse, project director of the Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Exports (APIEX), during the second high-level session on ‘Financing the Energy Transition’, held this Wednesday, 23 April, at the RENMOZ-2925 conference in Maputo.
According to Maposse, the country is seeking to position itself as a competitive destination for green capital, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable solutions. ‘193.5 billion meticals (3 billion dollars) have already been invested in the last decade, 17% of which has been channelled into the energy sector. The new portfolio could significantly expand the impact, especially in terms of job creation and rural electrification,’ he emphasised.
During the session, Marcus Rother, senior consultant at GET.invest Finance Catalyst, emphasised that many energy projects in Africa face difficulties in accessing finance due to a lack of proper structuring. ‘We are supporting local promoters with technical assistance to develop viable business models, improve financial documentation and prepare robust proposals to attract private and institutional investment,’ he said. For him, the involvement of commercial and multilateral banks is essential for scaling decentralised energy solutions and ensuring long-term sustainability.
For her part, Liesbet Mijlemans, Senior Investment Director at ElectriFI, revealed that the institution has already committed more than 9.9 billion meticals (164.8 million dollars) in funding for clean energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa, including Mozambique. ‘Our focus is on companies operating in remote areas and offering innovative solutions such as solar home systems, mini-grids and pay-as-you-go models. These approaches have enormous potential to transform communities and reduce dependence on fossil sources,’ he said, adding that ElectriFI seeks to mitigate investment risks in markets considered challenging.
Around 193.5 billion meticals (3 billion dollars) have already been invested in the last decade, 17% of which has been channelled into the energy sector.The new portfolio could significantly expand the impact, especially in terms of job creation and rural electrification
Epifânia Gove, head of the Energy Department at Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI), emphasised that the energy transition requires more than technological solutions: it requires an integrated vision and strategic planning. ‘The financial sector must take a proactive role. At BCI, we are developing instruments adapted to the reality of renewable energy projects, including green credit lines and guarantee mechanisms,’ he explained. For Gove, it is also crucial to sensitise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the opportunities of energy efficiency and decentralised production.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the government, the private sector, development agencies and multilateral institutions. Among the consensus that emerged from the session was the urgent need to speed up the mobilisation of capital and the need for stable public policies that favour sustainable investment in the energy sector.
Text: Nário Sixpene
