Solar Giraffe gives electricity to almost 45,000 Mozambicans

“We didn’t have a place to load phones and we had to walk for an average of maybe 10 kilometers to be able to load,” says Lusa Justino Cuna, 39, after the installation of a Solar Giraffe in the locality of Katembe Nsime, Matutuíne district, Maputo province.

Powered by solar panels mounted on a high wooden structure, known as “Girafa Solar”, designed by Carlos Morgado Foundation, it allows to charge up to 10 mobile phones simultaneously, provides lighting and provides a radio fixed next to the infrastructure to entertain residents.

In communities without access to the power grid, it has also become a space for living and meeting. It was in that place that Justin found a new way of approaching the other residents: “The giraffe also served as a link between us”.

The structure was installed in November 2025 with the community of the so-called “heroes of Matutuine”, formed by more than 500 people from about 100 families who lost their homes due to floods registered since 2023. Between improvised tents and dwellings built by the residents themselves, “Girafa Solar” has become a meeting place where concerns are shared and challenges such as lack of water and energy are discussed.

“ We believe that Giraffe [Solar] has transformed our lives,” Justin reinforces, who is now able to maintain regular contact with family and friends.

Since 2020, the initiative has allowed the installation of 22 “Solar Girafas” in communities in the northern, central and southern regions of Mozambique, accumulating about 44,000 beneficiaries in areas without access to electricity. Every month, the battery of 11,000 mobile phones is recharged in these infrastructures, benefiting those who still see far away the arrival of the electricity network.

Among them is Nora Matsinhe, 39 years old, who has lived in the village for almost two years and found in this infrastructure a simpler way to communicate with distant relatives, while living daily with other residents.

“ We were able to charge the phone so that we could communicate with people who are far away and it helps us a lot because really to charge the phone in the old days was very difficult”, he says.

Nora acknowledges, however, that the demand for the service already exceeds the existing capacity.

“ It would be preferable even to increase another giraffe [solar], because in total we are many people to carry”, appeals.

With the arrival of electricity produced by solar panels, the village routine has also changed. What before ended at nightfall is now extended for several hours, thanks to the light available and the moments of conviviality around the structure.

“ Back in the day, it was a little hard, because by 6:00 you have to go inside the house and try to sleep, there was no way, but now we have the advantage. We stay here, we load [the phones], we talk, [...] we play radio and dance”, he adds.

At nightfall, after charging the batteries, “Girafa Solar” becomes a small community center, gathering children in swings and adults around also a TV powered by the solar system to accompany football games.

The idea was born in 2015, initially conceived as a simple porch with solar panels. The typology of the structure was improved based on the suggestions of the first beneficiaries, until it gained the current high form, supported by eucalyptus piles, resembling a giraffe, such as those that walked nearby.

“ When we came back to design the project, we used bigger eucalyptus sticks and suddenly we looked at the drawing on the side and we saw that, after all, it is no longer a porch, it is a giraffe, it looks like a giraffe ", recalls Ruben Morgado, executive director of the project, 48 years.

Each of these infrastructures supports small businesses, facilitates access to mobile financial services and enhances local security through night lighting.

Now, the goal of the Carlos Morgado Foundation is to continue to expand the project to other parts of the country.

“ One of the goals we have is to change the dictionary of the Portuguese language to put the verb giraffe. We want to giraffe Mozambique”, says Ruben.

Each unit costs about 600,000 meticais (7,976 euros), has an estimated service life of five years and can be installed in just two days. The person responsible seeks new partnerships to extend the initiative to other communities without access to electricity.

Like 66-year-old Bernardo Pedro, who claims to have recovered hours of the day he used to spend on trips to carry his cell phone seven kilometres from his village. It also calls for the installation of one more unit to respond to growing demand.

“ Now the community here is a little larger, so it is not being easy ", says Bernardo, father of eight children.

The resident also argues that solar energy can serve to illuminate the village and feed a water hole, whose lack of energy continues to prevent its operation.

“Only lacks energy. Now, if someone in good faith puts the manor there, it can be very useful ", asks Bernardo.

Created in 2010 in honor of Mozambique's patron and former Minister of Industry and Trade (2000-2005), Carlos Alberto Sampaio Morgado, the foundation works with different partners to design and implement innovation, inspiration and investment projects, aiming to promote sustainable development of the country.