According to the Cost of Hunger in Africa (2017), Mozambique loses approximately 10.9% of its annual GDP (USD1.6 billion) due to chronic malnutrition. It is therefore urgent that all sectors converge and identify solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of malnutrition.
Since its early stages operating in Mozambique, GAIN has pledged to contribute to improve the diets and nutrition of Mozambicans by working with all relevant societal sectors. In this regard, GAIN has worked with the Government of Mozambique in designing, implementing and improving related policies and strategies, as well as in providing technical and financial assistance for these government entities to continue their work.
In addition, GAIN appreciates the role of the private sector as a driver of change in tackling malnutrition in the country. Since 2016, GAIN has worked with the Confederation of Trading Associations of Mozambique (CTA) to give them the adequate tools for their engagement in initiatives aimed at promoting nutrition in the country. As a result, local private companies have access to technical and financial support provided by GAIN, with support from CTA. To-date, over 300 companies have received training in food processing, marketing and other relevant business management techniques. Over 50 businesses have received financial assistance to invest and improve their capacity to produce, process, market and distribute their products, thus contributing to the increase in access, availability and quality of nutritious and safe foods.
On the Frontline
In Mozambique, CTA is the leading entity that seats at the table with the government to discuss all private sector related issues. Through SUN Business Network Mozambique (SBNMOZ), the CTA has had a long-standing engagement with GAIN. In the last three years especially, as an active member of SBNMOZ, the CTA’s Nutrition Champion and Agriculture Portfolio leadership has participated in multiple GAIN / SBNMOZ-led interventions, including workshops, roundtables, conferences, and exhibitions.
GAIN has been in operations in Mozambique for 10 years. Between 2011 and 2013, its operations were implemented through third parties and from April 2013, GAIN officially launched its operations in the country with activities covering multiple provinces. © Unsplash
"There are a handful of initiatives we at GAIN have implemented in coordination with CTA. In the last two years, we have worked together in the post-cyclones initiatives for quick recovery of businesses and we are also supporting with actions to mitigate COVID-19 impacts in local companies, which will result in continued supply of food products throughout the markets. We are also happy to know that we have achieved SBNMOZ’s strategic plan goal, which was to establish a nutrition portfolio within CTA," notes Augusto Diogo, Senior Associate, Food Policy & Financing, GAIN.
According to CTA, to adequately respond to the current challenges, there was need to better plan at the organization-level. Therefore, CTA decided to extinguish the formerly known Agriculture Portfolio and create the Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Industry Portfolio. With this expanded portfolio, CTA can better respond to challenges and increase their engagement in the national strategies.
"In the last 3-year term, we at CTA increased our footprint in the initiatives related to nutrition promotion within and by the private sector. That was a unique experience, and I can say it was impactful. To mention a few actions, I was nominated Private Sector Nutrition Champion and I had the opportunity to participate in various events, both national and international, which further increased my understanding regarding our relevance as one of the main actors in the promotion of nutrition. On the other side, I was elected the SBNMOZ’s Advisory Board Chairperson. In that capacity, we have embraced this cause to such an extent that we are willing to lead the private sector’s engagement within the nutrition agenda." Agostinho Vuma, President of CTA and Private Sector Nutrition Champion.
A Decade of Improving Nutrition
Under a renewed 3-year mandate, where GAIN has been invited to co-chair the nutrition and food industry components under the Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Industry Portfolio, CTA will work closely with GAIN to drive discussions around food systems and nutrition for the private sector. This will also include increasing visibility of CTA’s initiatives to promote nutrition in the country, as well as increasing the footprint of the Private Sector Champion for Nutrition. The CTA’s invitation comes as recognition of GAIN’s relevance in the nutrition sector and the transformations GAIN has helped to put in place.
In the last 3-year term, we at CTA increased our footprint in the initiatives related to nutrition promotion within and by the private sector. That was a unique experience, and I can say it was impactful.
Eduardo Sengo, CTA’s Executive-Director
Our contributions guide the Government in producing and disseminating policies and regulations that stimulate businesses to produce and deliver food products and services adequately and that give the consumers more nutritious, more affordable and more accessible diets, every day.