Mozlink is a programme that aims to create more competitive Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in Mozambique. The main purpose is to assist Mozambican companies to grow and develop into strong organisations that can compete in both local and international markets. It is a joint effort between MOZAL, CPI, PODE and APDF (IFC) who through coaching, mentoring, training and exposure help SME’s to achieve this objective.

The Mozlink program started in July 2003 and is due to finish in June 2005. Hence this review was conducted two months before the formal end of the program, and therefore cannot provide commentary on the program as a whole. Nevertheless, it is clear that, as planned, 25 SMEs were prequalified for the program, including 12 already supplying Mozal (of which 8 were also suppliers under SMEELP 2), and 13 being supported through training etc to achieve significant improvement in standards.

An initial assessment was made of all firms on the Mozlink program, to establish a baseline measure of competence on four factors - quality, business management, maintenance and safety. The 12 SMEs in the first stage were re-tested five months later and showed, on average, a marked improvement in scores against all criteria: