Strengthening MPA delivery in Mozambique

Capacity programme launched

MOZAMBIQUE: The launch of the National Capacity Development Programme for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Professionals this week in Mozambique represents a milestone in marine conservation for the country.

This national programme, which will be implemented through a tripartite strategic partnership between the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC, IP), Nautilus Conservation, and the WIOMSA, aims to strengthen both technical and institutional capacity for the effective management of Marine Protected Areas in Mozambique.

More than 60 participants from public institutions, civil society organizations, cooperation partners, academia, the private sector and other key stakeholders in the conservation sector attended the launch. Representing WIOMSA, board member Dr Célia Macamo, highlighted the organisation’s work to advance marine conservation and capacity building across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region.

Presenting the WIO-COMPAS, WIOMSA’s professional certification programme for MPA practitioners, Dr Damboia Cossa emphasised the need for practical experience which builds confident and and accountable conservation professionals. She also noted that the first Portuguese-language WIO-COMPAS training was recently held in Mozambique, during which two Mozambican candidates successfully achieved.

Representing Nautilus Conservation, Karen Allen underscored the importance of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in enabling the National Capacity Development Programme to build the skills of individuals, but also to strengthen the conservation sector by providing practical, locally relevant training.

She highlighted that the Programme’s training component would be implemented through the Academy of Marine Conservation Leadership, as part-time and accredited technical professional training courses, delivered in Portuguese.

The ceremony concluded with an address by ANAC’s Director General, Pejul Calenga, who stressed the importance of this partnership in addressing the professional and institutional capacity challenges faced by Mozambique’s conservation sector.

He emphasised that the programme is grounded in the country’s local realities and field-level needs, while ensuring alignment with national, regional and international conservation commitments — including Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3.

PHOTO: Karen Allen, Pejul Calenga and Celia Macamo at the signing ceremony. (SOURCE: WIOMSA)