Mozambique and ECA advance dialogue on stronger creditworthiness and innovative financing for sustainable development

Maputo, Mozambique, 23 September 2026 - The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD) have convened a national workshop from 21 to 23 September in Maputo to examine how stronger sovereign creditworthiness and innovative financing solutions can help mobilize resources for Mozambique's sustainable development priorities.

The workshop brought together government institutions, Banco de Moçambique, financial and capital market institutions, development partners, academia and national and international experts. Discussions focused on sovereign creditworthiness, debt sustainability, capital market development, climate and nature finance, and practical measures to strengthen Mozambique's access to sustainable financing.

Mozambique faces significant investment needs alongside limited fiscal space, debt pressures and increasingly demanding international financial conditions. The workshop provided a platform to consider how stronger macroeconomic and institutional foundations, better project preparation and a more diversified financing base can support sustainable investment.

As highlighted by Isabel Sumar, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Development, "The objective is to mobilize resources that are compatible with the country's capacity, under sustainable conditions, and to channelthem towards investments with economic, social and environmental returns". She stressed that improving risk perception should not be pursued as an end or through financing at any cost, but alongside stronger macroeconomic credibility, responsible debt management, transparency, rigorous project selection and implementation capacity.

The first day examined the foundations of sovereign creditworthiness, including macroeconomic conditions, public financial and debt management, sovereign ratings and investor perceptions. Discussions underscored the importance of reliable economic and financial information, predictable policies, effective implementation and proactive engagement with investors and rating agencies.

The workshop also addressed opportunities to deepen domestic capital markets and expand sustainable and innovative financing, including thematic bonds, debt-for-climate and debt-for-nature swaps and blended finance. A dedicated focus on nature finance examined the emerging role of nature markets, including carbon and biodiversity credits, as potential mechanisms for mobilizing resources for conservation and sustainable development. Discussions will consider the policy and regulatory frameworks, institutional capacities, market conditions and project pipelines needed to develop these instruments with appropriate safeguards and ensure that they generate tangible benefits for Mozambique.

In this regard, Sonia Essobmadje, Chief of the Finance and Domestic Resources Mobilization Section emphasized that "ECA supports African countries in strengthening domestic resource mobilization, promoting more sustainable debt management and reinforcing creditworthiness through policy advice, capacity development and platforms such as the Sustainable Debt Coalition". "It also supports countries in aligning national priorities with practical financing solutions, including thematic bonds, climate- and nature-related financing instruments, and stronger domestic financial markets."

The workshop is identified priority reforms, strengthened collaboration among national stakeholders and informed future technical assistance and policy actions to enhance Mozambique's access to sustainable financing.

By bringing together policymakers, financial institutions and development partners, the workshop aims to lay the foundation for a more resilient financing framework capable of supporting Mozambique's long-term development and climate ambitions.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: [email protected]