Swedish Ambassador Engages with Local Communities in Niassa Province.

On October 15, 2025, We Effect Mozambique had the honor of hosting His Excellency Ambassador Andres Jato, Sweden’s Ambassador to Mozambique, in Cuamba District, Niassa Province. The visit formed part of ongoing efforts to spotlight community-driven development and took place at the Cuamba District Union of Farmers (UDACC), one of We Effect’s key implementing partners in the region.

This special visit coincided with the International Day of Rural Women, which was a fitting occasion to celebrate the resilience, leadership and everyday contributions of women who form the backbone of rural agriculture and local economies. The event brought together women farmers, community leaders, and development partners to reflect on progress achieved through collective action.

During the visit, the Ambassador toured several community initiatives supported under the ALCANCE Project, which is implemented by We Effect with funding from the Swedish Embassy in Mozambique. The project focuses on strengthening smallholder farmers’ organizations, improving access to markets, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Through ALCANCE, rural communities are building stronger, more resilient livelihoods that can withstand economic and climate-related challenges. (ALCANCE is the acronym for Alimentos, Clima, Agricultura, Natureza, Coordenação e Empoderamento da Mulher, and works in Niassa, Nampula and Cabo Delgado to improve food security, climate resilience and gender equality.) WeEffect Global

One of the highlights of the visit was an exhibition of locally processed food products produced by UDACC member associations. These products reflect the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women who are adding value to their crops and generating new income streams for their households. The Ambassador also visited community seed banks, an innovative local system that allows members to borrow and return seeds after harvest, ensuring sustainable access to diverse, climate-resilient crop varieties. A photo wall capturing the associations’ activities and achievements offered a vivid snapshot of how collective action is transforming lives.

Several women shared heartfelt testimonies about the tangible changes they have experienced through their involvement in the project. One woman, Maria, declared, “Before ALCANCE, I could barely feed my children. Now I renovate my house, I bought a motorbike and I send my eldest daughter to school.” Members of PCR groups (Community Savings and Credit Schemes) also spoke proudly of how their increased incomes have enabled them to renovate their homes, purchase motorbikes to ease transportation, access piped water, and provide school supplies for their children.

As the communities celebrate these gains, challenges like limited access to fair and reliable markets, the absence of adult literacy programs, and unsustainable irrigation systems continue to hinder further progress. Addressing these barriers remains a key priority for We Effect and its partners.

Through ALCANCE, We Effect is working together with communities, local organizations, and development partners to create lasting change. The visit by His Excellency Ambassador Andres Jato reaffirmed the shared commitment to building inclusive, sustainable, and resilient rural communities where women and men alike can thrive.