The Italian government will provide 23.5 million dollars in support for a program to encourage youth entrepreneurship in Mozambique, called IN4JOB. The support was announced last week during a meeting between the Italian ambassador to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis, and the Minister of Youth and Sport, Caifadine Manasse.

According to a statement from the Italian Embassy, the IN4JOB program (AID 12924) aims to foster entrepreneurship and strengthen the employability of young finalists, graduates and postgraduates by promoting the creation, incubation and acceleration of startups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

A significant part of the total amount will be channeled in the form of loans to young entrepreneurs," says the same press release, noting that the initiative plans to incubate 1,100 startups, each made up of three young people, directly benefiting 3,300 self-employed workers.

It is also estimated that 270 micro and small businesses will be strengthened, with the consequent hiring of 2,700 young people. The promotion of gender equality is one of the central axes of the intervention, ensuring equal access to the opportunities generated.

The implementation of the program will be led by strategic institutions, including the National Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (INEFP), the Institute for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME), as well as the entity responsible for the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and Strategy, approved by the Government of Mozambique in 2024.

(Photo DR)