MozYouth Foundation and CTA sign memorandum of understanding to promote professional internships for youth and businesses in northern Mozambique

The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) and the MozYouth Foundation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at collaborating in the identification of host companies for more than 2,000 young people to access professional internship opportunities in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa over the next three years. The program will be implemented in collaboration with CTA’s Provincial Business Centers (CEPs) in the three targeted provinces, which will be responsible for mobilizing companies to host interns and facilitating the link between the private sector and the young beneficiaries. According to CTA, the involvement of the business sector is critical to the success of the initiative.

“A professional internship creates a safe learning environment where young people gain practical experience and companies can identify and shape talent. The MozYouth Foundation will ensure the implementation and management of the internship program, including the recruitment and selection process of candidates, in coordination with the CEPs and host companies. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with CTA comes at a timely moment, considering that the MozYouth Foundation is the implementing entity of the Professional Skills Development and Paid Internship Program in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa.

This initiative is led by the Government of Mozambique under the Conecta Negócios Project, with technical support from the Northern Integrated Development Agency (ADIN), under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and with funding from the World Bank. According to MozYouth, the objective is that at least 50% of interns who successfully complete the program may eventually be integrated into the permanent staff of the companies where they carried out their internships. “We are investing in youth employability as a pillar of economic stability and sustainable development.

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This program was designed to create real pathways toward permanent employment, ensuring that young people not only gain professional experience but also develop technical, behavioural, and entrepreneurial skills that enhance their competitiveness in the labor market. We believe that internships should serve as an effective bridge to decent and sustainable employment. For this reason, we structured this initiative in close collaboration with the private sector, ensuring that practical training is aligned with the real needs of companies and local economic dynamics,” stated Onório Manuel, Member of the Board of Directors of the MozYouth Foundation.

Activities will include program presentation sessions, business events and webinars aimed at local companies, as well as monitoring mechanisms and periodic evaluation of results. MozYouthis a non-profit foundation established in December 2023, committed to empowering and developing Mozambican youth through professional internships, training programs, and community-based initiatives. To date, MozYouth has placed over 2,000 interns, working with more than 300 companies across the country with over 50% of interns securing a job after completing the internship program. About the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA)

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