PURE Rural Mozambique Climate Project approved by the Green Climate Fund
Mozambique has been stepping up its commitment to decentralised renewable energy solutions as a means of accelerating rural electrification and promoting socio-economic development, through initiatives supported by international partners such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Belgian Development Cooperation.
In this context, the approval by the GCF of the PURE Rural Mozambique Climate Project, implemented in partnership with Enabel and the Energy Fund (FUNAE), is particularly noteworthy. With funding of over 40 million dollars, the initiative aims to expand access to energy in rural areas through the installation of solar mini-grids and the promotion of productive energy use, whilst contributing to climate resilience and emissions reduction. The project is expected to directly benefit tens of thousands of people, as well as support small-scale local economic activities.
The project’s approach is based on an integrated approach, combining the development of energy infrastructure with institutional capacity building and the implementation of results-based financing mechanisms. Additionally, it promotes the use of energy for productive purposes – such as irrigation, food preservation or agricultural processing – thereby boosting income generation and community development.
This initiative follows on from previous programmes, such as the Renewable Energy for Rural Development Project (REDR2+), also implemented by Enabel, which mobilised around €22 million to expand access to energy in rural areas of the provinces of Nampula, Zambézia and Manica. This programme included the installation of solar mini-grids, water pumping systems and energy solutions for social services, helping to improve living conditions for local communities and boost local economies.
Together, these initiatives reflect a coherent and progressive strategy for promoting off-grid solutions in Mozambique, based on rural electrification, the productive use of energy and the strengthening of climate resilience. The involvement of different partners and financial instruments also demonstrates the growing international alignment around support for the energy transition in the country.