Mozambique launches Fund for the economic empowerment of women

The creation of PRO-WOMEN is contained in Resolution 71/2026 of the Council of Ministers this month, to which Lusa had access today, which justifies the measure with the need to “promote inclusive economic growth and economic empowerment of Mozambican women through the financing of micro and small businesses” at district and local level.

According to the fund regulation, the PRO-WOMEN aims to promote women’s economic empowerment by financing small businesses capable of generating income, production and employment, and at the same time “the fight against poverty and the promotion of inclusive economic development”.

The mechanism will finance projects considered economically viable through repayable loans with “subsidised interest rate”. Support may be granted individually or collectively, including associations, cooperatives, groups of women or micro and small enterprises led by women.

Although without moving forward with values for its launch, the diploma also provides for the establishment of solidarity groups composed of three to seven women, “preferably with territorial proximity, economic affinity or associative or residential bond”, as a way of accessing funding.

The distribution of resources will meet four main criteria: female population, territorial dimension, poverty index and reimbursement capacity. The latter criterion will only apply from the second year of the fund.

PRO-WOMEN will prioritize local entrepreneurs interested in developing economic activities that generate income and employment. Among the eligible beneficiaries are women who already have small businesses, low-income women involved in micro-enterprises, cooperatives and female associations, entrepreneurs in the informal sector who intend to expand or formalize the activity and women who want to start new businesses.

The diploma presents a comprehensive list of activities eligible for financing, such as food production and marketing, catering, pastry, baking, retail trade, agriculture, horticulture, cereal and legume production, agroprocessing and processing of agricultural products.

Projects for poultry farming, poultry farming and egg production, artisanal fishing and marketing of fish, beekeeping and honey production, clothing, embroidery and textiles, as well as pottery, ceramics, baskets, jewellery and other local manufacturing products are also eligible.

The regulation also includes initiatives related to the beauty and well-being industry, such as hairdressing, makeup, manicure, pedicure and related services, cultural and creative activities, including artistic production, design, fashion, visual arts, crafts, photography and content production. Also repair and maintenance activities of various small-scale equipment and other economically viable initiatives that contribute to the generation of income, self-employment and economic inclusion of women.

Candidates will be entitled to free technical support for project development, provided by entities dedicated to technical assistance and training.

Disbursements and refunds may be made through mobile portfolios, bank transfers, digital financial applications and other legally permitted electronic means.

PRO-WOMEN funding sources include state budget funds, government resources, repayments of loans and their interest, funding from cooperation partners, support from philanthropic institutions, corporate social responsibility funds or private sector and civil society donations.