Mozambique has been one of Norway’s main development partners since 1977, and is currently among the top five recipients of development assistance from Norway. Aligning with the Government of Mozambique’s strategic plans, the cooperation has a particular focus on two sectors in which Norway has strong expertise and experience: energy and fisheries.
The energy portfolio includes activities related to electrification, capacity building and increased regional cooperation. Norway also supports capacity building in the petroleum sector, and Mozambique is an important partner in the Oil for Development programme.
For fisheries, the focus is on fisheries management of marine resources, and also on strengthening the country’s capacity to patrol and monitor its waters in order to prevent illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. Aquaculture is a priority for the Government of Mozambique, and is gaining increasing prominence in the programme.
In addition, Norway provides general budget support. This allows for participation, along with other budget support partners, in a formal dialogue with the Government of Mozambique on important issues related to economic and political governance. Moreover, Norway is involved in activities aimed at strengthening public finance management, improving public statistics, as well as securing transparency on and increasing tax revenues from the country’s rich natural resources.
Norway also supports several initiatives on climate and the environment, including development of CDM projects and strengthening of the REDD+ mechanism. Women’s rights and gender equality are, as a rule, mainstreamed in all projects and programmes. In addition, Norway supports various specific projects in these areas. A zero-tolerance policy against corruption is being implemented, and risk assessment is routinely carried out at all levels.
The total budget of Norway’s development assistance to Mozambique in 2011 was around 65 million USD. Some 80% of this was channeled through the Government, the remainder through civil society organizations and multilateral organizations.
The close cooperation has resulted in a strong bilateral relationship, with frequent visits and meetings at political level taking place every year. An increased interest is noted from public and private institutions alike in the way the Norwegian society is organized and the way in which Norway is managing its natural resources. As Mozambique’s potential for future petroleum revenues is gradually becoming clearer, the country is looking for ways to secure a broad-based and inclusive growth. Closer cooperation with Norwegian public institutions and with Norwegian private companies may be a step in this direction.
Royal Norwegian Embassy, Maputo, 10 January 2013