Inhambane seeks new investments from Canada to strengthen health and the economy
The construction of four health centers and the mobilization of Canadian businesspeople dominated the meeting between Governor Francisco Pagula and representatives of the High Commission of Canada in Mozambique.
The province of Inhambane intends to deepen cooperation with Canada, focusing simultaneously on strengthening the health system and attracting private investment to stimulate the local economy. This was the primary focus of the meeting held on Wednesday between the Governor of Inhambane, Francisco Pagula, and the Manager of Political and Public Affairs of the High Commission of Canada in Mozambique, Rick Steenweg, representing the High Commissioner.
During the meeting, the two parties reviewed the status of the project to construct four new health centers in the province, for which public procurement procedures are currently underway. The future health units will be established in the localities of Canetane in Zavala district, Chambule in Inharrime, Macachula in Massinga, and Murruri in Vilankulo district. With the operation of these infrastructures, the Provincial Government hopes to reinforce health care delivery capacity, bringing services closer to communities and reducing pressure on referral health units.
In addition to the health component, the meeting addressed an economic agenda. Francisco Pagula presented Inhambane’s potential to the diplomatic representatives, highlighting strategic sectors for new investments, and called for the mobilization of Canadian businesspeople to explore business opportunities in the province.
The Provincial Government’s strategy involves transforming traditional development-assistance cooperation into a partnership more oriented toward productive investment, capable of generating jobs, boosting the local economy, and leveraging sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industry, and natural resources.
The convergence between Inhambane and Canada occurs in a context in which the North American nation maintains a relevant presence in development cooperation in Mozambique, particularly in the health sector. In 2024, the Canadian Government announced a new funding package for the country, including 20 million Canadian dollars destined for a sexual and reproductive health project for girls and young women in Inhambane province, implemented in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan.
This initiative continues a long-standing cooperation between Canada and Inhambane in the health field. Over the past years, the partnership has supported professional training, strengthened health institutions, and implemented maternal and neonatal health programs in several districts across the province.
Wednesday’s meeting thus represents another step in the consolidation of this bilateral relationship, now with a broader ambition: to combine investments in social infrastructure with the attraction of private capital, seeking to transform Inhambane into a more attractive destination for international investors. The completion of the four new health centers is one of the immediate priorities of this cooperation and could significantly improve access to medical care in areas that continue to face limitations in health coverage, while simultaneously reinforcing the presence of international partners in the province’s development process.
Source: O País
