A ceremony was held on Friday 23 October 2020 in Metoro, in the north of the country, in the presence of the President of the Republic, Mr. Filipe Nyusi, and the French Ambassador, Mr. David Izzo, to officially celebrate the launch of the construction works for Mozambique’s second solar power plant. This photovoltaic power plant is supported by PROPARCO and AFD and will improve access to green electricity in a country marked by a low electrification rate.

PROPARCO has just signed two new loans in China. The first USD 20m loan has been allocated to CD Finance, China’s main microfinance institution in rural areas. It will be exclusively earmarked for access to microcredits for women microentrepreneurs in Gansu Province. The second USD 10m loan will finance Lionbridge’s green leasing program for electric trucks.

Agriculture is a key sector for social and human development in Zimbabwe and Zambia. It employs 65% and 75% of the population, respectively, and accounts for 15% and 19% of GDP. The sector is a pillar of a once prosperous economy in Zimbabwe, but its yields and production have been reduced since the early 2000s.