Development Cooperation

Since opening an aid office in 1996, Ireland has worked to reduce poverty and inequality in Mozambique through the Irish Aid programme. Building on the work, achievements and lessons learned, Ireland’s priority focus is to promote prosperity, reduce inequality, and enhance peace and security, with a particular emphasis on reaching those furthest behind first, especially youth and women. More specifically, Ireland aims to contribute to the following results by 2024:

Progress towards more peaceful, safe and prosperous societies, inclusive of all citizens.

Peace, security, and respect for human rights are prerequisites for achieving sustainable development. Conversely, inequality, extreme poverty and marginalisation can be contributing factors for conflict. In Mozambique, Ireland is investing directly in a range of peace building and peacekeeping measures, building an incentive for peacebuilding, and where appropriate, sharing Ireland’s experience and expertise in these areas. In addition, in Ireland’s support to development programmes, a conflict sensitive approach is  systematically applied, taking into account both the positive and negative impacts of interventions in terms of conflict and peace dynamics and in particular focussing on reducing inequality, addressing youth employment and women’s empowerment.

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Improved social services, including a stronger education system with increased girls’ participation, improved access to quality health services and working with partners to contribute towards a strengthened social protection

Good health and quality education are the fundamental building blocks for inclusive and sustainable development. In addition, gender, geography and life-cycle-related disparities can lead to major differences in social outcomes. Our approach to supporting basic social services in Mozambique is driven by a multi-dimensional and multisector approach which advocates for the prioritisation of sustainable, effective, equitable and quality social services enabled by domestic resource mobilisation and decentralised structures.

Strengthened governance, institutions, state accountability and civil society participation in national development processes, which are responsive to citizens’ needs.

Effective, accountable and inclusive state and non-state institutions, based on the rule of law, are important conduits for sustainable development. In addition, civil society plays a vital role in building peaceful, inclusive and prosperous societies. Our approach is to support the strengthening of Government systems and structures for improved transparency, accountability and delivery. We also prioritise strengthening the capability of civil society organisations to support and demand improved governance from the state. Recognising that gender inequalities hold back development, as part of this approach, we promote positive and transformative social and political change for women and girls, and seek to address power inequities between genders.

Improved business and fiscal environments with inclusive economic growth and job creation, with a strong focus on youth, women and adolescent girls.

Mozambique, Eswatini and Madagascar, as part of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), have huge potential for trade, business and investment. The region is endowed with extensive mineral resources, including the massive gas reserves in Mozambique. There are also significant opportunities for infrastructure development further development of the tourism industry given Mozambique’s spectacular natural beauty.

The European Union has an increasingly ambitious approach to partnership with SADC, recognising that the mutual prosperity and security of Europe and Africa are deeply intertwined. Ireland strongly supports the EU approach and is committed to supporting inclusive economic growth and boosting trade and investment between Ireland and Mozambique, Eswatini and Madagascar for mutual benefit.

In Mozambique in particular, the ongoing diversification of Ireland’s suite of engagements will provide opportunities to increase its visibility and influence through creating space for public discourse, sharing of Ireland’s economic development experience and facilitating academic, civil society, business and cultural links between Ireland and Mozambique.