Mozambique: FECOP invests in youth and female entrepreneurship with a new line of subsidies

The Portuguese Cooperation Business Fund (FECOP) has launched a new line of grants, managed by Gapi, to boost startups and small businesses in Mozambique, with a special focus on young and women entrepreneurs. This mechanism is part of a broader package of financial and institutional support aimed at strengthening MSMEs and expanding access to microcredit in the country. The launch of this initiative took place on the 6th in Maputo, through the signing of the operationalization contracts for these financial assistance instruments from Portugal.

Within the scope of this initiative, Gapi was designated as the managing entity of the new FECOP Grants Line, intended to support startups and small businesses, with priority given to young people and women entrepreneurs. The President of the Executive Committee of Gapi, Adolfo Adriano Muholove, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “More than financing projects, we aim to contribute to building resilient, innovative companies capable of generating employment and income in the communities.” This agreement provides guarantees that can cover a percentage of the financing granted to microfinance institutions, as well as technical and institutional support to these institutions, with the active participation of AMOMIF. The objective is to strengthen the loan portfolios of microfinance institutions and expand access to microcredit for micro and small enterprises.

AMOMIF highlighted the relevance of this component for strengthening the inclusive financial ecosystem. Its President, Ramos da Silva Joaquim, stated: “This agreement represents a collective commitment to strengthening Mozambican entrepreneurship and building a more inclusive financial system.