As part of the British High Commission’s initiative and with the collaboration of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy (MIREME), the Workshop focused on women-led businesses in the energy sector brought together various organizations, including ITC SheTrades Commonwealth+, Mozup, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and ENH/Linkar. Below are some notes highlighted at the forum:
Developing Strategic Partnerships
During the workshop, the importance of finding ways to develop and consolidate strategic partnerships was emphasized. Collaboration between different entities was identified as a key factor for the success of women-led companies in the energy sector.
Evolution towards Specialized Services
A significant trend was observed of women-led companies migrating from general to specialized services in the energy sector. This shift indicates growing expertise and a more specialized approach to service offerings.
Interconnected Value Chains
The importance of creating interconnected value chains was highlighted, especially in the catering sector, which are deeply integrated with the agro-processing industry. This was pointed out as a driver for boosting the local economy.
Challenges and Needs Identified
Participants discussed various challenges faced by women-led businesses, including the need for training in operation and maintenance in the oil and gas sector, the provision of training for women in the oil and gas sector and the need for training for women in the oil and gas sector.
Proposed solutions
Among the solutions presented were interaction with banks to finance companies, especially to respond to the need to provide services while waiting for payments. The importance of mapping and sharing business opportunities in the energy sector was also highlighted.
Participants’ testimonies
The success of the workshop was evidenced by the testimonies of the participants, who saw the timing as opportune for the sector. The development and construction phase was identified as a period of increased demand for services, with a greater focus on the urgency of taking advantage of the opportunities present.
The workshop not only identified challenges and opportunities, but also provided a space for exchanging experiences and strategies, reinforcing the importance of women’s economic empowerment in Mozambique’s energy sector.
