Multi Annual Country Strategy (MACS) 2026-2029 - Mozambique - Mozambique
Multi Annual Country Strategy (MACS) 2026-2029 - Mozambique
The Netherlands was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Mozambique after its independence from Portugal in 1975. 50 years of bilateral cooperation positions the Netherlands well to capitalize on renewed economic efforts by the government and the opportunities that these bring to deliver on the Netherlands trade and economic ambitions. Whereas the solidarity that has always been the fundament of the bilateral relation remains, in the coming years the Netherlands and Mozambique will work towards a stronger mutually profitable economic partnership where opportunities for both business communities are seized, especially in the domain of agriculture and water. This aligns extremely well with the Mozambican government’s ambition to become economically independent and have the private sector lead a restructuring and diversification of the economy. This MACS is also in line with Mozambique’s National Development Plan. Consultations have been held with many Ministries (a.o. Agriculture, Public Works and Water Management, Health, Transport, Economic Development, Finance, Work, Gender and Social Protection, Justice and Religious Affairs), as well as with the private sector in both countries and relevant non-governmental organisations. This led to the joint vision to put an integrated corridor approach at the center of this strategy as the driver for unlocking the economic growth potential of Mozambique.
I. Dutch Policy goals and strategy with Mozambique
A. Overarching policy goal
The cooperation the Netherlands is aiming at, is based on three objectives:
• Improvement of direct economic cooperation between Mozambique
and the Netherlands (trade, investment, private sector capacity
building etc.).
• Improvement of the enabling environment:
•
Direct: to facilitate economic cooperation through improving private
sector and investment climate.
• Indirect: to contribute to a
sustainable, inclusive and diverse economy (capitalizing on the
on-going cooperation).
Deepening diplomatic relations with Mozambique, bilaterally and in the EU context.
B. Strategic results per policy goal
Trade and investment
Trade and investment will be the drivers of the socio-economic growth of Mozambique. Agriculture, water management and renewable energy sources, especially hydropower, are main drivers of the aspired sustainable economy. Mozambique has the ambition and potential to become the regional energy hub (“power house”) and gateway to and from landlocked Southern African countries via its ports. NL trade and industry could benefit from the opportunities this offers. Also agriculture, despite many constraints offers business opportunities as there is many un- and underused potential. Growing domestic and regional demand for food, government commitment to agricultural reforms, and increasing interest from the private sector and development partners offer a strong foundation for progress.
The Beira corridor has been the geographical focus of the
bilateral activities in the domains of food and nutrition security
(FNS) and of water. In the coming years this corridor will remain at
the heart of the bilateral activities, but in a more integrated way
and focusing on several agricultural value chains and positioning
Beira city and the Port of Beira as the driver of corridor
development and economic growth. The Netherlands already has a
strong footprint in the city, that is the Gateway to the East (Asia)
and West (landlocked neighboring countries), similar to Rotterdam
being the gateway to Europe.
The other corridor that will be
part of the bilateral agenda is the Nacala corridor in the North,
that drives growth from mineral resources and gas production in the
three northernmost provinces. The Netherlands can build on ongoing
activities in Cabo Delgado – a province that is very rich in
resources but where the population suffers from extreme poverty
which feeds inequality, instability and insurgency.
The corridor approach allows the Netherlands to synergize with other partners such as the EU and the World bank and partner countries like Germany and Italy, who also have strong presence in the corridors. The EU and its member states are referred to as ‘strategic partners’ by Mozambique, quite unique on the continent. However Mozambique has the attention of many other players from Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, so competition is tough.
Health
Within the health domain, the Netherlands will implement and coordinate the regional HIV instrument (2026-2030) under the Focus policy framework for cooperation with civil society: locally led service delivery, rights-based approaches, community empowerment and strengthening local organizations. Activities strengthening HIV response through civil society will be connected to activities in the geographical corridors to ensure an integrated approach.
II. Other Remarks
A more sustainable, inclusive and diverse Mozambican socio-economic development is fostered in order to enhance more Dutch and European economic (business) opportunities (including its earning capacity) and to deepen diplomatic relations.
Contact addresses:
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Maputo
MAP@minbuza.nl
Avenida Kwame Nkrumah 324, Maputo, Mozambique
Directie Sub Sahara Afrika, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken
Rijnstraat 8 | 2515 XP Den Haag | The Netherlands
DAF@minbuza.nl
