Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for a Just Energy Transition: An overview of Mozambican Energy Policies [Policy Report]

Executive Summary

Mozambique has increased access to energy for its population by 21 percentage points in only five years, from 39% in 2020 to 60% in 2024, in part due to an extensive body of energy legislation and regulation. The country is also well positioned in its energy transition, with 65% of energy being renewable. However, it faces the challenge of ensuring that the energy access and transition process is fair and equitable, so that diverse social groups are included and no one is left behind. This report, focusing on Mozambique’s energy policies as part of the Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion for a Just Energy Transition (JustGESI) project, reveals that gender equality and social inclusion are beginning to be integrated into the government’s approach.

Of 39 energy policies reviewed from 1977 to 2025, six, in more recent years, tackle gender equality and social inclusion. The gender-based approach to energy policies seeks to ensure that both women and men benefit equally from access to electricity and related benefits such as vocational training and employment in the energy sector. The same applies to the two-thirds of rural dwellers and the youth age group, whose perspectives are incorporated into some energy policies. However, the inclusion of aspects related to other social groups, such as the elderly or people with disabilities, is not currently addressed in energy policies.

In terms of weight, of the six policies that tackle gender equality and social inclusion, one (the Gender Strategy and Action Plan for the Mineral Resources and Energy Sector) takes the lead in advancing a just energy transition, in magnitude and significance. Through its action plan, it also moves beyond broad statements of intent to include detailed indicators, timelines, means of verification and responsible institutions. That the Gender Strategy is the ‘lead energy policy’ integrating gender equality and social inclusion results from the contribution of previous energy policies in providing a progressive foundation of policy commitments to build on: in 2011, through the Strategy for the Development of New and Renewable Energies; in 2018, through the state utility company EDM Strategy 2018–2028; in 2021, through the Regulation for Access to Energy in Off-Grid Areas; and in 2023, through the Just Energy Transition Strategy.

The fact that only recent energy policies are making the most significant contributions to supporting a just energy transition may be explained by the more vibrant debate and critique surrounding gender equality and social inclusion in the energy sector today than before. Recent energy policies have already seen progress in establishing gender focal points in the energy sector and in recognising the need to collect data on energy access broken down by gender, age group and place of residence.