"God did not make a mistake by enriching Africa with so many resources. Mozambique and the rest of Africa's energy future holds immense promise. Yet it cannot, and must not, be charted without the full and equitable participation of women--as consumers, as entrepreneurs, as investors, as decisionmakers and as innovators. The energy solutions we pursue must reflect the diverse realities and aspirations of women across the country." HE Graça Machel addressed the 2025 GMT Women in Clean Energy and Climate Action Network's Summit, held in Maputo.
The summit, brought together energy leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders who spoke emphatically about the urgent need for inclusion, equity, and systemic reform. H.E. Graça Machel, reiterated the role of local networks in anchoring national energy and climate justice strategies.
Mr Maxime Rabilloud Country Chair & Managing Director of TotalEnergies Mozambique spoke to the importance of the private sector setting clear goals and taking concrete steps to ensure that women are included at all levels of the energy sector.
In addition to other local networks, Mozambique Women of Energy discussed issues affecting the inclusion of women in energy and showcased entrepreneurs and activists making a difference in people's lives.
Bertha Dlamini, Founder and President of African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) challenged stakeholders to not be paralysed by the energy inequality on the continent, rather see it as an opportunity. If stakeholders work together this can help Africa grow immensely by unlocking entrepreneurship capacity for women and youth. She also spoke to how the 4IR can be used to unlock many opportunities to bring people with disabilities into the economy in a way that was not previously possible .
Also in attendance were Country Director of New Faces New Voices Uganda (GMT Network) Dr Theopista Sekitto, Socialist Republic of Vietnam's Ambassador to Mozambique, Tran Thi Thu Thin (middle), and High Commissioner of Canada to Mozambique Sarah Nicolls (right) and showing their support for the inclusion of women in the energy sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr António Manda, explained what Mozambique is doing as country to ensure that women are included in the energy sector and said he was happy to see the different ecosystem partners come together to share ideas and lessons at the Summit.
Graça Machel Trust and STIMA-Africa sign a landmark MOU to drive women's participation in clean energy and climate Action
In a strategic move to accelerate gender-responsive development in Africa's energy ecosystem, STIMA Energy and the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Summit.
The MOU marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership aimed at supporting targeted interventions under GMT's Women in Clean Energy and Climate Action Network's strategy. The partnership will focus on dismantling systemic barriers that hinder the full participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the energy sector.
STIMA Africa specializes in sustainable energy solutions and ICT innovations across the continent with expertise that aligns with GMT's strategic objectives. The partnership with between the two organisations will encompass key activities, which include amongst others;
- Project curation: Jointly identify and develop innovative projects emerging from GMT's clean energy and climate strategy and the Pan-African Adolescent Girls Movement.
- Women's advancement initiatives: Collaboration on projects that enhance benefits for women entrepreneurs across the value chain, from production to consumer engagement.
- Capacity building: Improving access and user-friendliness of the Adolescent Programme Learning Management System (LMS) for African girls in remote areas, leveraging STIMA Africa's ICT expertise, and community outreach activities
- Funding and resource mobilization: Co-development of strategies to secure funding for identified projects, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
A Shared Vision for a Just Energy Transition
Speaking at the ceremony, Emmanuell Katto, CEO of STIMA Holdings emphasized:
"Mozambique is uniquely positioned to lead Africa's energy transformation. Through this partnership, we aim to localize innovation, decentralize opportunity, and support women and youth to be the architects of an inclusive energy future."
Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programmes at the Graça Machel Trust, added: "The signing of this MOU is a testament to GMT's commitment to forging partnerships that deliver measurable impact. STIMA's approach aligns with our network-building strategy -- one that is locally grounded, technologically relevant, and socially inclusive."
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"This MOU is a powerful testament to what we can achieve when purpose meets partnership -- it reflects our shared conviction that collaboration is the engine of inclusion, and inclusion is the spark that accelerates lasting impact." - H.E. Graça Machel
Fundacão para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade/Foundations for the community Development (FDC), also founded by HE Graça Machel, was a key partner for the event and the public lecture that will be taking place at the Eduardo Mondlane University on 12 June. In closing Senior Managing Director of FDC Dr Diogo Milagre said the Summit should be seen as the beginning of something powerful: "As we close, let us not see today as an end, but as a springboard. The work ahead is immense, but with the partnerships formed here today -- we are equipped. We are energised. And we are ready."
As the Graça Machel Trust prepares to expand its Network launches into Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania, the partnership with STIMA and the lessons shared at the Summit set a compelling precedent for how the private, public and civic organisations can lead with purpose and promote gender-equitable energy futures across the continent.
