Growing Sustainable Business

GSB in Mozambique

GSB Mozambique Overview

The GSB initiative launched its operations in Mozambique in June 2007, in direct cooperation with the country’s national investment promotion agency – CPI (Investment Promotion Center) – UNDP’s local implementation partner, and the focal point for information and licensing requirements to investors interested in doing business in Mozambique.

GSB Broker Marcos Vaena is based at CPI and is responsible for identifying pro-poor investment opportunities, developing innovative business models, brokering partnerships between key stakeholders, and marketing projects to both local and international investors.  He works closely with the GSB Mozambique Advisory Board, chaired by CPI and composed by representatives of UNDP, Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), Export Promotion Institute (IPEX), Federation of Private Sector Associations (CTA), Global Compact Mozambique, Private Sector Donors Working Group, as well as regional representatives of CSO’s and NGO’s depending on the location of the project.

Projects are currently being evaluated in the following sectors:

1. Waste Collection and Recycling
2. Sea Salt Production
3. Sustainable Forestry
4. Seaweed Farming
5. Micro-entrepreneurship Development
6. Microfinance in Rural Areas
7. Handicraft Exports

Active Projects

Recycling Project
Lead Company: Pagalata

Waste management is a big problem in the greater Maputo region, and the concept of recycling is still at its infancy in Mozambique. By integrating both large companies (beverage and plastic manufacturers, foundries, etc) as well as individual trash collectors in creating a sustainable mechanism for collection, selection and sales of recyclable materials (metals, plastics, glass and paper/cardboard), you can establish a regular income generating activity for hundreds of people, while drastically improving the general sanitary conditions of urban areas, in addition to a positive environmental impact by helping to reduce CO2 emissions produced by burning waste. Download project brief

Pro-poor Rural Distribution and Micro-Entrepreneurship
Lead Companies: IRD – International Relief and Development, Unilever, Africom, Cia. Industrial da Matola (CIM)

The rural poor usually face great difficulty in accessing basic consumer goods and foodstuffs. Heft price premiums, as well as irregular supply further penalizes those who already have very limited means of acquiring essential items. The GSB is partnering with IRD, as well as with local food manufacturers, to develop a micro-entrepreneurship and rural distribution model that works exclusively with groups of women, establishing clusters of door-to-door saleswomen in rural areas of the Zambézia province. Over 150 women are already earning regular income from this activity, with an estimated 600 women taking part in the program by 2010. GSB is also establishing linkages with local distribution companies and microfinance providers to leverage the sales workforce of the women groups, and improve access to basic goods in rural areas. Download project brief