The ExxonMobil foundation announced its contribution of $300,000 to the Business Women Connect (BWC) initiative for the fourth consecutive year in Mozambique.

The initiative, which began in 2018, led by TechnoServe will run in Maputo while exploring opportunities to expand north within this year, reported Notícias.

The initiative partners with several financial institutions to provide financial and management literacy to women micro business owners through business development and management classes, as well as training to promote greater savings and formalization of business and family finances.

The program has graduated 700 women in Maputo and Inhambane provinces. Although many have experienced difficulties in their businesses due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the BWC participants received training and instruction in digital format and demonstrated tremendous resilience by changing their business plans.

Many of the services such as salons, stalls, and tailors were able to take the service door to door while respecting the health measures.

"Women empowerment is a key component of ExxonMobil's overall community investment strategy and we value the instrumental role women play in society and the economy," said Jos Evens, managing director of ExxonMobil Mozambique.

The BWC initiative intends to train 250 women by 2021. The program will continue to provide training in investments, financial management, customer service, and marketing through digital channels as long as Covid-19 restrictions remain in place to ensure the continuation of women micro-entrepreneurs' businesses.

"This year was critical for all businesses," said Jane Grob, director of TechnoServe. "We are pleased that so many beneficiaries were able to adjust so quickly after the implementation of the restrictions to ensure income for their homes and business continuity."