Strategy

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy with Mozambique is an expression of Switzerland’s long-term commitment to reduce poverty and inequalities in the country.

Mozambique has a great potential for economic growth and prosperity with its vast natural resources and young population. These assets can be leveraged through good governance and responsible economic and social investments. Swiss development assistance aims to facilitate this transformation and the strategy outlines how it intends to do it taking into account its comparative advantages and capacities.

The strategy will contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by the UN General Assembly in 2015 at the global level. At the national level the strategy outcomes will help achieve the Mozambican five-year development plan. From Swiss development cooperation’s perspective the strategy falls within the framework of SDC’s regional and global programmes. It has been formulated jointly with the Government of Mozambique in consultation with national and international development partners.

Development Cooperation in Mozambique

Background

Ties between Switzerland and Mozambique date back to 1880 when Swiss missionaries arrived in Mozambique and pioneered the access to primary education for Mozambicans and this is still remembered, with several of today’s leaders having enjoyed primary education at the “Missão Suíça”.

Formal development cooperation began on a modest scale in 1979 mainly in water, food security and rural development. In June 1985, a Cooperation Office was established in Maputo. Initially, the program consisted mainly of humanitarian aid, but in the 1990s, it was constantly adapted to the changing framework conditions and has expanded considerably. Switzerland made an important contribution both to implementing the 1992 peace agreement, helping with the demobilization and reintegration of former soldiers, and supporting elections, while also providing assistance in the aftermath of the catastrophic floods in 2000. In the following years, Switzerland distinguished itself by taking the lead on the establishment of the first common fund in the health sector and the promotion of a coordinated so-called sector-wide approach.

Aid modalities and partnerships

We will apply a mix of aid modalities. While continued attention will be given to central-level policy dialogue, the need for external funding of sector Common Funds is expected to decrease given anticipated growing domestic revenues. We will pay more attention to strengthening local government institutions. Similarly, we will intensify our work with CSOs at the local level. In addition, we will initiate spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue, including the private sector. To achieve its objectives, we will coordinate and work with selected national and international organizations and Swiss partners, through strategy-relevant formal working groups and other types of alliances.

Geographic focus

Beside activities with a national outreach, the current focus on the three northern provinces in Niassa, Nampula and Cabo Delgado, will be maintained.

Priorities of the 2017-2020 Cooperation Strategy

Similar to the previous strategy 2012-16, the Swiss development cooperation have three priority areas:

1. Governance

2. Income and Economic Development and

3. Health

Within each of these areas there are themes that are particularly important to recognize and emphasize: Gender, Governance, HIV/ AIDS, climate change and disaster risk reduction and applying a conflict-sensitive approach. These are called transversal themes in the strategy.

Read more in the Cooperation Strategy document below.