Nampula, April 2025 – On April 10 and 11, the PROMOVE COMÉRCIO project – Strengthening Competitiveness for Exports, implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with funding from the European Union, held a series of strategic events in the province of Nampula, focusing on technical training for Mozambican small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and strengthening quality for export.
On April 10, industrial equipment was officially handed over to Mathária Empreendimentos, a company specializing in organic agro-processing. In a symbolic moment, the processing unit, located in the city of Nampula, received two state-of-the-art machines: an ultraviolet disinfectant and a metal detector, acquired with technical and financial support from the project.
According to the company’s management, the new equipment represents a significant leap towards modernization and compliance with the standards demanded by the national and international markets. “We feel very grateful for this support. This equipment will boost our production and guarantee the quality of our services,” said a Mathária representative.
More than just a symbolic gesture, the equipment is a direct response to international requirements in terms of food safety, traceability and contaminant control. The technology installed allows for the identification of organisms and foreign bodies, such as heavy metals, at levels that are not admissible, especially in the European market.
As well as raising the standards of local production, the investment extends its benefits to the community and the province as a whole, creating new market opportunities, generating income and valuing local products such as moringa, sweet potatoes, green bananas, among others.
On April 11, two technical manuals developed under the project were officially launched:
- The Support Manual for Business Development Service Providers (BDS), with practical tools to support SMEs in their internationalization;
- and the Good Food Handling and Manufacturing Practices Manual, which provides guidance on the food safety and quality standards required for export.
The event, held in a hybrid format, included Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions, the symbolic delivery of physical and digital materials to the participating institutions, and the screening of videos with success stories from beneficiary companies such as FINANA, AfriFruta, Meia Tigela and Gutsamba.
The activities marked an important step in the PROMOVE COMÉRCIO project’s commitment to institutional strengthening, improving quality and promoting access to markets. Mathária Empreendimentos, one of the pilot companies monitored since the start of the project, is a concrete example of how strategic partnerships, innovation and technical training can transform Mozambican agro-processing with local impact and global projection.