On September 22 this year, Mozal and Gapi launched the Nhluvuko project in Matola Rio, Boane district, Maputo province, an initiative that aims to improve the living conditions of the residents of the Matola and Boane districts by promoting small-scale businesses capable of generating jobs, giving priority to women and young entrepreneurs.

The project is valued at 77 million Meticais and in the first phase it will cover around 500 beneficiaries and aims to make a general contribution to increasing employment and income for the population of this region.

The project, which is scheduled to last three years and may be extended and/or renewed, aims to present a new model for implementing corporate social responsibility programs adopted by large companies.

Based on a partnership between a multinational company (Mozal) and a national development financial institution (Gapi), this initiative is concerned with the sustainability of the activities that benefit from it.

In this sense, the Mozal-Gapi partnership includes in the Nhuluvuko project an appropriate combination of training, technical assistance and funding to improve the operational capacity and business management of local entrepreneurs.

"Mozal believes that the development of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is one of the key pillars in the development of the local economy and in improving the quality of life of communities. With this action, we want to once again reaffirm our commitment to active participation in the well-being of this population, joining the efforts of the government and other partners in developing entrepreneurs and local businesspeople for a more robust, resilient and sustainable economy," said Gil Cumaio, Mozal's Director of External Affairs, who also addressed "a word of appreciation to Gapi, for its openness in embracing this noble mission".

To the potential beneficiaries, Mozal says it hopes that this will not be seen as just another project in their lives, but as the start of a journey of positive change in the management and development of their businesses.

Guilhermina Gaspar Kumaghwelo, Boane district administrator, said, representing the Provincial Governor, that "for the government it is an established fact that the development of any territorial circumscription is based on the investment made in human resources.

Boane and Mozal are committed to this vision and, with the strategic partnership it has made with Gapi, as the implementer, the desired results will be achieved."

Nhluvuko is an example of a partnership between two institutions with established credits and impeccable reputations.

Through this partnership, a multinational, such as Mozal, and Mozambique's oldest and most resilient development finance institution pool resources and skills to promote local economic development, job creation and social inclusion.

"This partnership model is a more sustainable alternative to traditional social responsibility programs where charity predominates.

The communities surrounding mega-projects need to be empowered by strengthening the capacities of their entrepreneurs with a vision of sustainability and the long term," said Adolfo Muholove, chairman of Gapi's Executive Committee, adding that "this is why this project is not only a contribution to the development of these districts, but also and above all an innovative model for better integrating mega-projects into local communities."