Mozambique's government intends to accelerate green industrialisation to boost domestic production, attract investment and create employment, placing renewable energy and cleaner technologies at the centre of efforts to strengthen business competitiveness.

The commitment was reaffirmed at a meeting held in Maputo that brought together representatives of the government, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA).

Opening the event, Secretary of State for Industry Custódia Paunde argued that sustainability should be seen as an opportunity to modernise production and diversify the economy.

"Industrialisation remains a central, priority and non-negotiable strategic objective on Mozambique's development agenda. Our ambition is to expand national productive capacity, increase local value addition, diversify the economy, create decent jobs and strengthen the participation of Mozambican companies in regional and global value chains," she said.

According to a note released by Club of Mozambique, Paunde highlighted the country's potential in renewable energy and the importance of converting investments in clean technologies into productivity gains, greater energy security and new industrial opportunities.

The government also argued that the benefits of the green transition must reach women, young people, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and local communities.

Olayinka Bandele, head of the Inclusive Industrialisation Section at the ECA Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa, called for stronger alignment between climate policies, industrial development and investment in the region.

"Climate action should not be seen solely as an environmental imperative. It is also an economic, industrial and development opportunity. For Africa, the transition to greener and more resilient economies can stimulate innovation, strengthen domestic value addition, attract investment, create decent jobs and increase competitiveness," Bandele said.

She noted that Mozambique has favourable conditions to advance in this area, including renewable energy resources, entrepreneurial capacity and an industrial development strategy.

Bandele emphasised, however, that the green transition must prioritise the local processing of resources, innovation and job creation, ensuring greater participation by small businesses, women and young people in economic activity.

The parties reiterated their commitment to promoting an industrialisation model capable of reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability.

From the private sector, João Carlos Frade, chair of the CTA's Committee on Sustainability, Circular Economy and Climate Change, stressed the role of businesses in delivering on sustainable industrialisation objectives.

"Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises should not be seen merely as beneficiaries of climate policies. They are agents of economic transformation, climate adaptation and green industrialisation," he said.

The CTA representative nonetheless flagged the financing difficulties faced by companies seeking to invest in sustainable solutions.

"In response, we advocate the creation of innovative financial mechanisms, technical assistance programmes and blended finance solutions that can transform green economy opportunities into economically viable projects," he concluded.

The event, titled 'Workshop on Regional Studies of Innovative Climate Action to Accelerate Green Industrialisation in Southern Africa', was held under the 17th Project of the United Nations Development Account (UNDA), with the aim of identifying measures to integrate climate change responses into industrial development strategies across the region.