Mozambique, situated in the East African sub-Saharan region, had a population of 32.08 million in 2021. The country has faced a complex set of political and socio-economic challenges in recent years, particularly around periods of political contestation and climate-related shocks. These dynamics have put pressure on institutions and development outcomes, yet they have also underscored the resilience of the population and importance of ongoing reform and capacity-building efforts.
Strengthening governance remains a central priority. Civic space indicators remain under pressure, with the 2023 CIVICUS Monitoring report, and the 2024 Freedom House assessment highlighting areas for improvement. In response, ongoing reforms – supported by national initiatives such as Mozambique’s Strategy for the Prevention and Combat of Corruption in Public Administration (EPCCAP 2023-2032) as well as international partnerships such as the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (2023-2027) – are focused on enhancing transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
Mozambique continues to face considerable development needs, ranking 183 out of 193 countries and territories on the Human Development Index in 2024, with 37.2 % of the population considered multidimensionally poor (MPI, 2024). Climate vulnerabilities, including recurrent droughts, floods and cyclones, add to the complexity of the development landscape. At the same time, these challenges have prompted strong collaboration around resilience-building and sustainable development, through national programmes such as the Master Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (PDRRD 2017-2030) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSCDCF 2022-2026).
Notable progress has been achieved in poverty reduction. Between 2011 and 2019, the country is estimated to have halved the share of the population living in extreme poverty - below $2.15 per person per day (2017 PPP) (World Bank Poverty and Inequality Portal and Macro Poverty Outlook, Spring 2023). The economic growth witnessed over the past two decades has significantly contributed to reducing extreme poverty. However, post-pandemic, the pace of poverty reduction has slowed down, with a moderate pick-up visible in the last two years.
The economy is yet to recover. Real GDP growth slowed to 1.8 per cent in 2024 from 5.4 per cent in 2023, largely due to post-election uncertainty, but the outlook for the coming years remains positive. The country’s strategic location and its wealth of natural resources – including fertile land, abundant water, mineral reserves, and renewable energy potential – provide a strong foundation for growth and regional integration. Continued investment in governance, infrastructure, and human capital will secure a pathway to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient long-term growth.
RAF Global’s work in Mozambique began in 2011 with a mission to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable communities, particularly the elderly and young children.
It started with a small community centre in Maputo, offering a welcoming space where elderly individuals of all genders and ethnicities could engage socially, participate in rejuvenating activities, and further receive nutritious meals five days a week.
As its engagement deepened, RAF Global identified critical health challenges affecting the elderly, particularly the high incidence of age-related cataracts. In response, the organisation expanded its support beyond the community centre, supplying regular meals to nearby old-age homes and orphanages.
Recognising the urgent need for medical interventions, RAF Global partnered with local suppliers to facilitate the donation of essential medicine supplies and surgical equipment to public hospitals, enabling cataract surgeries, and addressing the root causes of hearing impairment.
Driven by a commitment to tackle the root causes of vulnerability, RAF Global broadened its scope to address high youth unemployment. Leveraging an underutilised facility, it launched market-linked vocational training programmes in tailoring, carpentry, beauty and wellness, and welding, providing practical skills to young Mozambicans for their employability and self-sufficiency.
In its endeavour to further expand and consolidate its impact, RAF Global was legally incorporated under Clause 2 of Article 158 of the Civil Code of Mozambique on May 16, 2017, following approval by the Council of Ministers. This formal recognition, published in the official gazette (ref no. 22/2017) on June 22, marked a significant milestone in RAF Global’s ongoing commitment to aid the quality of life of the most marginalised sections of society.
RAF Global in Mozambique implements a wide array of projects, focusing on crucial areas of health, livelihoods, education, agriculture, and governance for the most
marginalised families. These initiatives aim to empower communities, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable development through collaborative efforts with local
stakeholders, government bodies, civil society organisations, and private institutions. RAF Global in Mozambique
has key intervention programmes primarily functioning in three districts of Gaza province – Bilene, Chongoene, and Limpopo, and the Matola district of Maputo province.
Through its multi-sectoral work, the organisation is estimated to have impacted over 270,000 lives since it began working in Mozambique.
In all its work women’s participation, health and hygiene, take centre stage. They are the running theme across all initiatives, with a view to long-term and ripple impact to affect economic growth, improved living standards and greater social cohesion in communities.
RAF Global’s initiatives to foster sustainable livelihoods have positively impacted 2,302 individuals. We promote employment and entrepreneurship by offering market-oriented skill building programmes, along with seed capital and micro-loans to boost employability.
The overall goal of RAF Global’s programme on economic integration and livelihood support for women and youth is to promote the economic well-being of women, especially youth, by aiding their income-generating skills as well as providing them with enabling financial and market linkages.
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The Education and Technology Programme strives to equip girls, boys, and young adults with knowledge, skills, technology, and values so that they can maximize their potential and further contribute to the process of nation-building by becoming responsible citizens. Considerable emphasis is laid on facilitating equal
RAF Global is supporting public schools in Mozambique through a wide range of interventions including Early Childhood Development & School Improvement Programme, benefitting 62,373 children. These efforts have resulted in improved access to better quality of education and enhanced learning outcomes.
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At RAF Global, we are committed to enhancing the healthcare system for the most vulnerable populations in Mozambique. Our ongoing initiatives in Mozambique have made significant strides in fortifying the healthcare system through a multifaceted approach which includes nutrition care
The health and nutrition portfolio is driven by the goal of enabling marginalised and disadvantaged individuals and communities to access better health services to optimize their health and well-being and realize their full potential.
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The Climate Smart Agriculture programme is aligned with improving farming practices for small and marginal landholders, ensuring climate resilience, sustainable income, and food security. RAF Global emphasizes gender-specific responses, involving women in strategies for enhanced food security and livelihoods by encouraging them to adopt climate-responsive agriculture.
The Climate Smart Agriculture Programme promoting chemical free farming and kitchen gardens have benefitted about 4000 small farmers. RAF Global under the programme facilitates expert-led training sessions and supports them through supply of seeds, seedlings, and organic fertilisers to the beneficiaries.
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The Good Governance Programme attempts to connect the demand and supply side of governance by developing multiple mechanisms and empowering channels that interface citizens with their immediate governments, to align public resources around the needs and aspirations of the local communities, especially women.
Public information service camps have helped 1,595 individuals in rural communities obtain birth certificates and national identity cards, as well as banking services. These camps particularly supported single, unwed, and abandoned mothers in acquiring birth certificates for their children through a hassle-free and timely process that has further helped them in enrolling their children in schools.
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RAF Global’s approach to relief work addresses the needs of women, girls, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. It aims to protect their already fragile livelihoods and guard them against slipping into further and extreme poverty.
In 2019, in the wake of Cyclone Idai, RAF Global joined relief efforts by organising and distributing essential supplies such as food and hygiene products. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we further extended aid by providing medical items, including masks and vital equipment like infrared thermometers and protective suits, reaching out a total of 49,646 beneficiaries through its humanitarian relief work.
Learn MoreRAF Global in Mozambique endeavours to make long-term, strategic and systemic investment around the key sectors of health, nutrition, education, and sustainable livelihoods along with advancing good governance at the subnational level. Through strategic partnership with government and non-government stakeholders, RAF Global reaches out to the most marginalised individuals, families, and communities in the poorest areas of Mozambique to improve their quality of life.
We work to strengthen sustainable livelihoods, expand access to job opportunities, and foster entrepreneurship. These efforts have empowered many individuals from low-income families to achieve financial independence and stability. Women’s participation and empowerment are central to all our initiatives, ensuring that gender equality is at the core of our work.
