Mozambique has introduced a National Cooperative Development Programme (PNDC) 2026–2046 aimed at creating 500,000 direct and indirect jobs and formalising 10,000 cooperatives over the next two decades.
The programme, announced in Maputo on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, is designed to support the implementation of the country’s Cooperative Law while promoting industrialisation, local content development and the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa said the initiative would focus on establishing industrial and agro-industrial cooperatives, supporting local processing of agricultural, fisheries, forestry and mining products, and linking cooperatives to major national projects.
The programme also seeks to integrate about 1.5 million informal economic operators into the formal economy, while promoting social inclusion by ensuring that at least 40% of beneficiaries are young people and 35% of cooperative leadership positions are held by women.
Authorities say the initiative will increase local production, reduce reliance on raw material exports, expand the tax base and strengthen Mozambique’s trade balance.