The inaugural Mozambique Quality Excellence Forum was held in Maputo on October 29, 2026, bringing together over 180 government officials, industry leaders, development partners, and entrepreneurs. The forum celebrated the achievements of 53 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have completed preparations for internationally recognised quality certification. This milestone is a significant step towards strengthening local participation in Mozambique's expanding energy industry.
The forum was organised through a collaboration between the Linkar Project of Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) and the Moz YWeb Project/IPEME. It highlighted growing efforts to equip Mozambican businesses with the skills, standards, and financial support needed to compete for opportunities in the country's energy sector. Mozambique's Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Estêvão Pale, African Development Bank Country Manager Rômulo Cunha Corrêa, and ENH Chairman and CEO Rudêncio Morais were among the notable participants.
The 53 SMEs have been prepared for ISO 9001 certification, an internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. This achievement represents an important advance for businesses seeking to meet the demanding operational requirements of major energy operators, international contractors, and other corporate clients. For many Mozambican enterprises, limited access to internationally recognised certification has long presented an obstacle to securing contracts in the oil and gas industry.
A major highlight of the forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ENH and Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI) to establish a credit facility supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The agreement introduces a financing dimension to ongoing capacity-building efforts, recognising that technical readiness alone cannot guarantee commercial success without access to affordable capital. This partnership aims to address the persistent challenge of access to finance for smaller Mozambican companies.
The forum featured two panel discussions, interactive exchanges, and business matchmaking sessions connecting Mozambican entrepreneurs with oil and gas companies, major contractors, and financial institutions. These engagements provided opportunities for local firms to present their capabilities, identify potential partnerships, and explore commercial relationships with companies operating across the energy value chain.
The Linkar Project has emerged as a platform for strengthening the competitiveness and visibility of Mozambican enterprises. Through technical assistance, business development support, quality management training, and industry engagement, the initiative is helping local companies position themselves for opportunities in a sector historically dominated by larger international service providers. The project's impact was also visible at African Energy Week 2026, held in Cape Town from October 12 to 16.
The Maputo forum marked another important milestone in Mozambique's efforts to develop a competitive domestic supplier base capable of supporting the country's energy ambitions. The Linkar Project and Moz YWeb initiatives have benefited from African Development Bank-administered trust fund support, including contributions from the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), the Government of Japan, the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi).
Key points
- 53 SMEs in Mozambique have been prepared for ISO 9001 certification.
- A new financing partnership between ENH and BCI aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
- The Linkar Project is helping Mozambican businesses position themselves for opportunities in the energy sector.
