FECOP approves investment projects of 382,000 euros in Mozambique

O Empresarial Fund for Portuguese Cooperation (FECOP) approved five investment projects in Mozambique, which mobilize 382,000 euros, of which 282.9 thousand euros are guaranteed by the mechanism, announced today the ambassador of Portugal.

Jorge Monteiro spoke, in Maputo, during the signing of the operationalization contracts of the fund with Moza Banco, the National Investment Bank (BNI) and Microbank Trust. With these accessions, the number of financial institutions participating in the initiative rises to six to facilitate access to credit for Mozambican micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MPMEs).

“From June to here, five investment projects have already been approved, already benefiting from financial support under the FECOP, mobilizing 27 million meticals [382 thousand euros], of which 20 million [282,9 thousand euros] are guaranteed, there is a guarantee from the FECOP,” said Jorge Monteiro.

According to the diplomat, the fund thus begins to contribute to the realisation of business and to the creation of value in the Mozambican economy.

With an appropriation of around EUR 17 million, the FECOP aims to support the Mozambican private sector through guarantees, technical assistance and grants, seeking to reduce the constraints of access to funding faced by the MPMEs.

Jorge Monteiro said that these companies form the basis of the Mozambican business fabric, representing around 99% of the total, and defended greater attention to the segment, because it is widespread by the country and close to the communities, although the debate on economic development often focuses on large investments and megaprojects.

“ Funding is important, but often even more important than financing is technical support,” Jorge Monteiro said, arguing that the fund should also support companies in overcoming limitations on management and technical advice, which hinder the preparation and execution of investment projects.

The chairman of the Mozambican Association of Banks (AMB), Esselina Macome, considered that improving access to credit should be accompanied by the preparation of companies to meet the requirements of financial institutions, stressing that membership of the fund does not eliminate the banking rules for risk assessment and management.

“ It is not enough just to have six [institutions], but the number of operations, the number of institutions that give credit at the end of the day, increase”, said Macome.

She argued that the entry of more banks should lead to an increase in the number of companies financed and concrete results for the economy.

Esselina Macome also pointed out the potential of the FECOP to contribute to the formalization of micro-enterprises, many of which operate in the informal sector, defending a greater articulation between banks and business support entities to prepare the projects before the submission of funding applications, avoiding delays resulting from incomplete applications.

The fund was restructured following a decision taken during the bilateral summit between Portugal and Mozambique in Porto in December 2025, and the first contracts with financial institutions were signed in June 2026.

The initiative involves Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, the Institute for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME) and AMB, allowing applications to be submitted through the network of branches of participating banks.