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Through an agreement signed in 2021, the Government of Mozambique, through its World Bank-funded project on ‘Improvement for Skills Development in Mozambique (MozSkills)’, is investing USD 6 million in the icipe-managed, Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology – Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (PASET-Rsif). Of the amount, USD 4.2 million is funding 40 Rsif PhD scholarships, while USD 1.8 million is dedicated to supporting 14 research and innovation projects  implemented by Mozambican higher education institutions. During a recent visit, an icipe team witnessed firsthand the progress being made through MozSkills projects.

One stand-out example is the Creation of Sustainable Student Companies as an alternative to self-employment at Instituto Superior Politecnico de Manica (ISPM), which aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem within Mozambican higher education—ranging from a thriving vegetable farming initiative and a promising bean production project to innovative quail farming and a fast-growing poultry enterprise.

To gain deeper insight into this project and its potential, we spoke with key stakeholders involved in the project. In this second series of interviews, the project lead Dr Arnaldo Uetela shares his perspective on the initiative’s goals, challenges, and the transformative role it is beginning to play.

Q: Can you describe how this initiative is equipping students with practical skills and support to create sustainable companies, particularly in the agribusiness value chain?

A: Through the MozSkills project, students and graduates received training in entrepreneurship, business management, financial management, and business simulation. They were subsequently guided through registering their companies, taking the first steps toward launching and formalizing their businesses.

Q: What specific incubation services or mentorship models are being used  at ISPM to ensure that these student companies evolve into viable and lasting MSMEs?

A: The incubation services offered by the ISPM incubator are to provide infrastructure  -office equipped with computers and internet, production spaces and greenhouses. There is also technical assistance from several specialists that we have in the institution, and we also invite individuals with consolidated experience in specific business fields to mentor the students.

Q: How is the project contributing to youth employment and entrepreneurship, and what success stories or early impacts can you share?

A: We are gradually seeing our incubated graduates earn a comfortable living from the businesses they established through this project. Some have even begun employing other young people in their  ventures. If you visit these projects, you will find one or two youths employed. Many young people do not necessarily land on the job market after completing their university education and this initiative encourages the young people to embark on entrepreneurship.

Although it’s still too early to say these businesses are highly successful, the poultry rearing project is on the right track in terms of promoting employability and entrepreneurship.

Q: What challenges have you encountered in stimulating the emergence of MSMEs through this approach, and how are you addressing them?

A: The challenges encountered in this MSME creation process include the withdrawal of some incubated companies during the process, excessive bureaucracy in registering incubated companies by regulatory agencies, and delays in funding disbursements.

Q: How has the support from Rsif enhanced the implementation and impact of this project, and what value has it brought to the students and wider ecosystem?

A: Rsif’s support was very instrumental in all aspects; from the initial training sessions to setting up the project management team to equipping the facilities for incubators and providing funds for business creation.