The British High Commission in Maputo and the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Maputo. It provides USD 1.63 million (about £1.2 million) to FORÇA – Strengthening Capacity to Access Climate Finance (Fortalecimento da Capacidade para Aceder ao Financiamento Climático). FORÇA is a two-year programme that will support Mozambique’s efforts to mobilise, access climate finance and manage it well.

FORÇA will be led by the Government of Mozambique and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Development. It will support the ministry’s National Directorate for Climate Finance, which leads the Government’s work on climate finance. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is funding the programme. UNU-WIDER will serve as the fund manager and implementation partner, providing financial and operational oversight, technical expertise, and quality assurance, while working closely with the National Directorate for Climate Finance to strengthen institutional capacity and progressively embed new skills and systems within the Directorate.

Mozambique is one of the countries most at risk from climate change. Cyclones, floods and droughts cost the country several percentage points of its gross domestic product (GDP) each year. Mozambique also has strong solar, wind and water resources and could attract green investment. To make the most of these opportunities, national institutions need the skills, data and systems to find climate finance, coordinate it and use it well.

As Mozambique seeks to access increasing volumes of climate finance to support its development and climate objectives, the programme will help strengthen the institutional systems, technical expertise, and evidence needed to identify financing opportunities, coordinate stakeholders, and improve climate finance planning and implementation.

Evidence and data are integral to this institutional strengthening. By strengthening climate finance data systems, analytical capacity, and knowledge production, FORÇA will support better-informed climate finance decision-making and investment planning.

The programme will also promote collaboration between government institutions, researchers, development partners, the private sector, and other stakeholders to support a more coordinated and strategic approach to climate finance in Mozambique. Drawing on its research and policy expertise and its long-standing partnerships in Mozambique, UNU-WIDER will support DNFC in connecting evidence and analysis with policy and investment planning, while facilitating knowledge exchange and bringing relevant national and international expertise into the programme.

Photo: X/ @UKinMozambique

Louise Walker, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission in Maputo, said:

“Strong national institutions are the best route to lasting climate action. Through FORÇA, the UK is backing the Government of Mozambique to build a climate finance system that is led by Mozambique, reliable and able to attract investment for years to come. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Planning and Development and UNU-WIDER to help it succeed.”

Patricia Justino, Director of UNU-WIDER, said:

“Accessing climate finance requires strong institutions, reliable data, and the technical capacity to turn resources into effective investments. Through FORÇA, UNU-WIDER is pleased to deepen our long-standing partnership with the Government of Mozambique and support the National Directorate for Climate Finance in building the systems, skills and evidence needed to lead this agenda. The aim is to build lasting national capacity that continues well beyond the programme itself”.

His Excellency Salim Valá, Minister of Planning and Development, said:

“Mozambique faces growing challenges arising from climate change, which affects all sectors of development. One of our greatest challenges is mobilising finance and investment to promote sustainable growth and job creation. However, attracting resources is only part of the equation. Equally important is strengthening our capacity to use them effectively. The FORÇA programme represents an important step towards strengthening national institutions, building capacity, and supporting a more strategic approach to climate finance in Mozambique.”

Photo: X/ @UKinMozambique

UNU-WIDER has a long-standing partnership with Mozambican government institutions, combining policy-relevant research with institutional capacity development. FORÇA builds on this experience, bringing UNU-WIDER’s analytical expertise, programme management systems, and access to specialized expertise to support DNFC in strengthening its technical capacity, data systems and institutional processes.The UK has also supported the directorate through the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme, including the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025 to 2034.