Prime Highlights-
- Mozambique will create PRO-MULHER, a fund offering subsidised-interest loans to women-led small businesses.
- The fund will prioritise areas by poverty level, female population and financial inclusion.
Key Facts-
- The fund comes under Resolution No. 71/2026 of the Council of Ministers.
- Women can apply alone or in solidarity groups of three to seven members, with free technical support.
Background-
Mozambique will set up a Fund for Women’s Economic Empowerment, known as PRO-MULHER, to give women-led small businesses loans at subsidised interest rates.
The Council of Ministers created the fund through Resolution No. 71/2026, which Lusa has seen. The government says the fund will promote inclusive growth and help women build businesses at district and municipal level.
PRO-MULHER will back viable projects with repayable loans. Individual women, associations, cooperatives, women’s groups and micro and small firms can apply. Women can also form solidarity groups of three to seven members to reach financing. The decree does not state the launch amount.
The fund will share its money using four measures: female population, territorial size, poverty level and repayment capacity. It will apply the repayment test only from the second year.
Women who already run small businesses, low-income micro-entrepreneurs, informal traders seeking to expand or formalise, and those starting new ventures can benefit.
The fund covers a wide range of work, including food production, retail, farming, agro-processing, poultry, fishing, beekeeping, textiles, crafts, beauty services, creative work and small repairs.
Applicants will receive free technical help to prepare their projects. Payments and repayments can go through mobile wallets, bank transfers and other legal digital channels.
The fund will draw money from the State Budget, public bodies, loan repayments and interest, cooperation partners, philanthropic groups, corporate social responsibility funds and private donors.
