The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Mozambique have successfully concluded a five-day training workshop aimed at strengthening national capacity in applying the Bank’s updated Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) to ongoing and future Bank-financed projects. The training brought together more than 80 participants from project implementation units, national environmental agencies, sectoral ministries, executing agencies, and the private sector. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that development projects in Mozambique meet high environmental and social sustainability standards.
Approved in April 2023 and implemented in 2024, the updated Integrated Safeguards System introduces comprehensive environmental and social policies designed to strengthen risk assessment, impact management, and compliance across all Bank operations. Built on the pillars of environmental sustainability, social inclusivity, and transparency, the system replaces the 2013 version and aims to enhance long-term sustainability and accountability in development interventions throughout Africa.
The training aligns with the AfDB’s broader goal of strengthening the capacity of its regional member countries to implement the updated safeguards system. It also directly responds to the findings of Mozambique’s Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR), which emphasized the need to improve the quality and sustainability of Bank-funded projects. During the opening session, Patrícia Baptista, Country Program Officer at the AfDB’s Mozambique Country Office, highlighted the workshop as a key step toward improving the integration of environmental and social safeguards throughout project design and execution.
Representing the Government of Mozambique, Chamila Aly, National Director of Public Debt at the Ministry of Finance, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to effective public management and high-quality project delivery. She noted that the revised ISS provides clear guidance, practical tools, and defined responsibilities for project teams, environmental authorities, and sectoral ministries, helping ensure that sustainability considerations are fully embedded into every stage of implementation.
Throughout the training, Bank specialists and Mozambican officials discussed essential topics such as the preparation and execution of safeguard instruments—including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, and Stakeholder Engagement Plans. Participants engaged in practical exercises and peer learning to strengthen their understanding of both national and AfDB safeguard requirements.
Modeste Kinane, Lead Environmental and Social Safeguards and Compliance Officer at the AfDB, encouraged participants to apply their new knowledge to enhance the environmental and social outcomes of development projects. He emphasized that the workshop not only builds technical capacity but also fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange between stakeholders. The event underscored Mozambique’s growing interest in advancing sustainability and improving project performance, contributing to the goals of the AfDB’s Project Portfolio Performance Improvement Plan and the country’s broader sustainable development agenda.
