Mozambique's government used a United Nations event in Antalya, Turkey, to press for sustainable financing for electricity infrastructure, arguing that investment must be mobilised without undermining public debt sustainability. Finance Minister Carla Loveira represented the government at the launch of the Global Grids Accelerator, a UN initiative aimed at advancing the development and expansion of electricity grids.

Speaking at the event — held on the sidelines of the 31st UN Conference on Climate Change (COP31) — Minister Loveira argued that Mozambique's hydropower, solar and wind potential must be translated into concrete benefits for its population through investment in energy production, transmission and distribution infrastructure, the government said.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2030 through the National Energy for All Programme, bolstered by membership of Mission 300 and the implementation of the National Energy Pact. According to the government, the strategy combines expansion and densification of the conventional electricity grid with off-grid solutions targeted primarily at rural communities and areas distant from major urban centres.

Mozambique's government described the expansion of electricity access as extending to essential sectors including health and education, with the expectation that it would improve the functioning of health facilities and strengthen learning conditions in schools. In economic terms, the government argued that greater energy availability should support job creation, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and agricultural, industrial and commercial activity.

The government also said the initiative is intended to increase domestic production and household incomes by making more energy available for productive activities. Throughout the Antalya meeting, Mozambique's government called for the mobilisation of financial resources to meet planned investment in grid expansion, reconciling the energy sector's development needs with the sustainability of public finances.

This article is based on a primary source and has undergone editorial review prior to publication.