Pemba, Mozambique – 18 October 2025 As Pemba celebrates its 67th anniversary, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the generous support of the Government of Japan, officially handed over a new fleet of waste management equipment to the Pemba City Council, valued at more than USD 1.2 million. The investment marks a renewed commitment to sustainable urban development, local governance, and environmental resilience in Cabo Delgado.

This initiative forms part of UNDP’s broader support to the immediate stabilization and recovery of Cabo Delgado, where restoring essential public services, revitalizing local governance, and rebuilding community trust remain critical to sustaining peace and development.

The new equipment — including dump trucks, skips, containers, an excavator, compactor, wheel loader, and lifting truck — will significantly enhance Pemba’s waste collection, transport, and disposal capacity. These services have become increasingly vital as the city continues to expand and host thousands of internally displaced people seeking safety and stability.

Meanwhile, 15 tricycle cargo motorbikes have been officially handed over on 10 July 2025 and are already supporting primary waste collection operations in Pemba, improving community health and urban cleanliness in key neighborhoods.

Speaking at the anniversary ceremony, the President of the Municipality of Pemba - Satar Abdulgani highlighted the importance of partnership and international cooperation: “The equipment we are presenting today is the result of our ongoing efforts to build partnerships and mobilize international resources to address the challenges of our city — including close collaboration with the Provincial Government and our partners, notably UNDP with funding from Japan.”

He also reaffirmed the city’s vision of inclusive growth and shared prosperity:

“Our commitment is clear: we want to make Pemba a modern, inclusive, safe, and just city — a city that excludes no one, forgets no one, and leaves no one behind.”

UNDP echoed this spirit of partnership, emphasizing the power of collaboration in building resilience and sustainability.

“These efforts reflect the true essence of partnership — local leadership, community participation, and international cooperation working together for sustainable progress,” said Samuel Akera, Head of UNDP Sub-Office in Pemba. “Japan’s continued support through UNDP is helping to translate vision into concrete results.

UNDP’s support extends beyond infrastructure. The initiative has included the rehabilitation of 2.5 kilometres of access roads to the landfill site, the installation of 100 public information boards at key waste disposal points, and environmental education training for 60 community activists—nearly half of whom are women. These women and men are now leading door-to-door awareness campaigns, promoting responsible waste management, community hygiene, and shared ownership of public spaces. By placing gender equality at the centre of implementation, the initiative empowers women to take active roles in decision-making and service delivery, fostering social inclusion and strengthening their contribution as key agents of change in building a cleaner, more resilient Pemba.

The initiative contributes directly to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular:

• SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13 – Climate Action, and
• SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Together, these efforts support the Government of Mozambique’s priorities to promote peacebuilding, social cohesion, and sustainable local development across Cabo Delgado.

About UNDP 

UNDP is the United Nations’ lead agency on international development. Working in more than 170 countries and territories, UNDP helps nations to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilience so that progress can be sustained. In Mozambique, UNDP supports national and local partners to advance peace, recovery, and sustainable development—empowering communities and institutions to build a more inclusive and resilient future for all. Learn more at www.undp.org or follow us at www.undp.org/mozambique.

For more information, contact: 

Manuel Mabuiangue, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Communication

manuel.mabuiangue@undp.org