Africa-Press – Mozambique. The European programme GET.invest and the GIZ Cluster “Financial Systems Development” have joined hands with financiers in Mozambique to increase investments in decentralised renewable energy projects. The collaboration is part of GET.invest’s mission to strengthen renewable energy markets, funded in Mozambique by the European Union and Germany. GET.invest is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Although investments in renewable energy in Mozambique have increased substantially over the past years, this has mostly been done with outside capital and foreign currency, creating dependencies and exposing borrowers to currency risks. Accordingly, local currency financing is one of the missing links to scale up investment flows into renewables. The newly launched collaboration between banks and programmes aims to support financial institutions in Mozambique in developing and offering finance products to increase the share of financing for renewables. In a first round, the Banco Nacional de Investimento (BNI), Banco Internacional de Moçambique (BIM), Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI) and Moza Banco will be provided with tailor-made training and coaching to expand their scope for action in this area. The focus of the tailored activities is now being determined and may include advisory on due diligence processes and developing specific financial products for renewable energy projects and companies.
The project was kicked-off in March 2021 with a roundtable organised in collaboration with the Mozambican Banking Association (AMB), attended by eleven banks. Representatives of both the European Union Delegation and the German Embassy in Mozambique expressed their governments’ support for Mozambique’s National Electrification Strategy and the development of a sustainable market for renewable energies.
Mr. Jesus Gavilan-Marin, Energy Programme Officer at the European Union Delegation in Mozambique:
“The European Union has access to sustainable and affordable energy at its cooperation heart. To improve access to energy for the Mozambican population and private sector operators, an enabling environment towards leveraging investments is key. Hence, the European Union is proud to support this specific project supporting national financiers in Mozambique.”
Mr. Thierry Kühn, Head of Cooperation, German Embassy in Mozambique:
“Energy has become a focal area to German Development Cooperation, with a wide spectrum of projects being supported. German cooperation is driven by the belief that only a market that allows competition and involvement of the private sector will present reliable, sustainable and affordable energy solutions to all Mozambicans. German Financial Cooperation is already providing a credit line for renewable energy and energy efficiency in local currency. Hence, Germany is looking forward to work side-by- side with the European Union and the Government of Mozambique on a project specifically focusing on assisting Mozambican financiers.
The Secretary General of the Mozambican Banking Association AMB, Mr. Elisio Langa
, commended the initiative: “Local banks are increasingly interested in financing renewable energy projects and scaling up the Mozambican renewable energy sector. This project comes at the right time, and will help the institutions develop suitable financial products .”
The project will run until the end of 2021. Its potential extension and future activities will be communicated in a timely manner.
About GET.invest
GET.invest is a European programme that mobilises investment in decentralised renewable energy, supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria. Since 2019, the programme has been operating a country window in Mozambique funded by the European Union and Germany, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
GET.invest Mozambique is part of PROMOVE ENERGIA – a comprehensive strategy between the EU and the Government of Mozambique to provide households and businesses in rural areas with access to sustainable and affordable energy.
About the Cluster “Financial Systems Development”
The Cluster “Financial Systems Development” within Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH comprises several teams and programmes with financial sector and insurance expertise, developing and advising on innovative and sustainable solutions in finance and insurance. The Cluster has been established as a GIZ-internal structure to leverage synergies and facilitate learning between different teams and experts.
