Maputo, Mozambique – In the heart of central Mozambique, where displaced communities struggle with the aftermath of natural hazards, a new project will bring solutions in the form of sustainable energy. With the support of Innovation Norway and NORCAP, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is launching an innovative initiative that uses Energy Mesh Grids to power homes and businesses in resettlement sites across Sofala and Manica provinces. This project aims to improve living conditions and help communities thrive by addressing one of their most urgent needs: reliable access to energy. 

“I make bread to sell in a frying pan. But what I really want is to have electricity so I can get a proper oven to bake cakes and a fridge to keep drinks cold and make ice to sell,” explains Amelia Samuel, displaced after Idai. “I want to start my own business, to be independent,” she adds.  

Over the last five years, Mozambique has been battered by a series of severe climate shocks, including seven major disasters. These events have displaced thousands of families, leaving them to face harsh conditions in temporary settlements. IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) shows that Sofala and Manica have the highest numbers of displaced people, with over 16,000 families in Sofala and 5,000 in Manica. In these communities, access to essential services is limited, and energy, in particular, has become a critical gap. 

“It started with the wind, then came the water, dragging everything - houses, animals ...people,”  Amelia Samuel remembers. 

For displaced families, energy for lighting is a top priority, followed closely by the need for income and financial support. According to a 2023 Energy Needs Assessment, nearly 98% of households rely on firewood for cooking, while more than half use it as their primary source of lighting. Battery-operated flashlights are the next most common source. These traditional energy practices not only strain resources but also pose safety risks and heighten tensions with host communities over access to firewood. 

This project aims to turn the tide by introducing a clean, safe, and sustainable energy solution. Energy Mesh Grids, sometimes referred to as crowd grids, connect homes and businesses in a flexible, interconnected network powered by solar panels. Excess energy generated by high-use areas, such as shops, can be shared with nearby homes, ensuring a steady and balanced supply. This scalable system can grow with the community's needs, offering a long-term solution for energy security.   

The IOM Chief of Mission in Mozambique, Dr. Laura Tomm-Bonde, explains, “This project isn't just about immediate solutions but about pioneering innovative approaches. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, we aim to achieve durable, sustainable solutions that benefit displaced communities, not only in Mozambique but potentially worldwide.”   

The first phase of the project involved gathering input from the very communities it aims to serve. IOM conducted surveys and focus group discussions with 433 households in Sofala and Manica to understand their energy needs and challenges. Workshops and feedback sessions ensured that internally displaced persons (IDPs) were active participants in shaping the project’s design. This participatory approach highlights IOM’s commitment to treating displaced people as equal partners, rather than passive beneficiaries. 

The project is now entering its second phase and IOM launched a call for Innovative Partnerships to find partners who can help bring this vision to life. Private sector companies, NGOs, micro-finance institutions, and academic organizations are all invited to apply and submit proposals that can contribute to the project's implementation. 

Beyond simply providing electricity, the Energy Mesh Grids project aims to uplift communities, empowering women and supporting local businesses. Reliable energy improves safety by reducing the need for open flames and firewood and allows small enterprises to flourish, driving economic growth and improving overall quality of life. 

As Mozambique continues to experience the effects of climate change, the need for resilient solutions grows more urgent. IOM’s Energy Mesh Grids project shows how innovative technology can be harnessed to meet basic human needs while fostering long-term development and stability.   

By focusing on community-led energy solutions, IOM, Innovation Norway, and NORCAP are ensuring that displaced families in Mozambique have the tools they need not only to survive but to rebuild stronger, more resilient futures. 

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For more information please contact:

Anna Benetello, abenetello@iom.int

Amanda Nero, anero@iom.int

Pretoria:  Abibo Ngandu, angandu@iom.int