{"id":1,"date":"2025-09-25T08:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T08:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/?p=1"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:28:49","slug":"god-did-not-make-a-mistake-by-putting-natural-resources-in-africa-its-time-for-us-to-take-ownership-of-what-we-have-graca-machel-challenges-women-to-participate-in-the-ener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/2025\/09\/25\/god-did-not-make-a-mistake-by-putting-natural-resources-in-africa-its-time-for-us-to-take-ownership-of-what-we-have-graca-machel-challenges-women-to-participate-in-the-ener\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cGod did not make a mistake by putting natural resources in Africa, it\u2019s time for us to take ownership of what we have\u201d Gra\u00e7a Machel challenges women to participate in the energy sector"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

\u201cGod did not make a mistake by enriching Africa with so many resources. Mozambique and the rest of Africa\u2019s energy future holds immense promise. Yet it cannot, and must not, be charted without the full and equitable participation of women\u2014as consumers, as entrepreneurs, as investors, as decisionmakers and as innovators. The energy solutions we pursue must reflect the diverse realities and aspirations of women across the country.\u201d\u00a0HE Gra\u00e7a Machel<\/strong>\u00a0addressed the 2025 GMT Women in Clean Energy and Climate Action Network\u2019s Summit, held in Maputo.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

The summit, brought together energy leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders who spoke emphatically about the urgent need for inclusion, equity, and systemic reform. H.E. Gra\u00e7a Machel, reiterated the role of local networks in anchoring national energy and climate justice strategies.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

Mr Maxime Rabilloud Country Chair & Managing Director of TotalEnergies Mozambique spoke to the importance of the private sector setting clear goals and taking concrete steps to ensure that women are included at all levels of the energy sector.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

In addition to other local networks, Mozambique Women of Energy discussed issues affecting the inclusion of women in energy and showcased entrepreneurs and activists making a difference in people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

Bertha Dlamini, Founder and President of African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) challenged stakeholders to not be paralysed by the energy inequality on the continent, rather see it as an opportunity. If stakeholders work together this can help Africa grow immensely by unlocking entrepreneurship capacity for women and youth. She also spoke to how the 4IR can be used to unlock many opportunities to bring people with disabilities into the economy in a way that was not previously possible .<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

Also in attendance were\u00a0Country Director of New Faces New Voices Uganda (GMT Network) Dr Theopista Sekitto, Socialist Republic of\u00a0Vietnam<\/em>\u2018s \u00a0Ambassador to Mozambique, Tran Thi Thu Thin (middle), and High Commissioner of Canada to Mozambique Sarah Nicolls (right) and showing their support for the inclusion of women in the energy sector.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"<\/p>\r\n

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Ant\u00f3nio Manda, explained what Mozambique is doing as country to ensure that women are included in the energy sector and said he was happy to see the different ecosystem partners come together to share ideas and lessons at the Summit.<\/p>\r\n

Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust and STIMA-Africa sign a landmark MOU to drive women\u2019s participation in clean energy and climate Action<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n

In a strategic move to accelerate gender-responsive development in Africa\u2019s energy ecosystem, STIMA Energy and the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust (GMT) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Summit.<\/p>\r\n

The MOU marks the beginning of a collaborative partnership aimed at supporting targeted interventions under GMT\u2019s Women in Clean Energy and Climate Action Network\u2019s strategy. The partnership will focus on dismantling systemic barriers that hinder the full participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the energy sector.<\/p>\r\n

\"\"\r\n

From left to right: Taciana Pe\u00e3o Lopes of Mozambique Women of Energy, HE Gra\u00e7a Machel shaking hands with Chairman of STIMA-Africa Emmanuel Katto after signing the MOU, witnessed by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, Ant\u00f3nio Manda and Dr. Paulo Beir\u00e3o, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Gender and Social Action in Mozambique.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

STIMA Africa specializes in sustainable energy solutions and ICT innovations across the continent with expertise that aligns with GMT\u2019s strategic objectives. The partnership with between the two organisations will encompass key activities, which include amongst others;<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. Project curation:<\/strong>\u00a0Jointly identify and develop innovative projects emerging from GMT\u2019s clean energy and climate strategy and the Pan-African Adolescent Girls Movement.<\/li>\r\n
  2. Women\u2019s advancement initiatives:<\/strong>\u00a0Collaboration on projects that enhance benefits for women entrepreneurs across the value chain, from production to consumer engagement.<\/li>\r\n
  3. Capacity building:<\/strong>\u00a0Improving access and user-friendliness of the Adolescent Programme Learning Management System (LMS) for African girls in remote areas, leveraging STIMA Africa\u2019s ICT expertise, and community outreach activities<\/li>\r\n
  4. Funding and resource mobilization:<\/strong>\u00a0Co-development of strategies to secure funding for identified projects, ensuring sustainability and scalability.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    A Shared Vision for a Just Energy Transition<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    Speaking at the ceremony,\u00a0Emmanuell Katto, CEO of\u00a0 STIMA Holdings<\/strong>\u00a0emphasized:<\/p>\r\n

    \u201cMozambique is uniquely positioned to lead Africa\u2019s energy transformation. Through this partnership, we aim to localize innovation, decentralize opportunity, and support women and youth to be the architects of an inclusive energy future.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/p>\r\n

    Shiphra Chisha, Director of Programmes at the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust, added: \u201cThe signing of this MOU is a testament to GMT\u2019s commitment to forging partnerships that deliver measurable impact. STIMA\u2019s approach aligns with our network-building strategy \u2014 one that is locally grounded, technologically relevant, and socially inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

    \u201cThis MOU is a powerful testament to what we can achieve when purpose meets partnership \u2014 it reflects our shared conviction that collaboration is the engine of inclusion, and inclusion is the spark that accelerates lasting impact.\u201d \u2013 H.E. Gra\u00e7a Machel<\/p>\r\n

    \"\"\r\n

    Senior Managing Director of FDC Dr Diogo Milagre<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Fundac\u00e3o para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade\/Foundations for the community Development (FDC),\u00a0<\/strong>also founded by HE Gra\u00e7a Machel, was a key partner for the event and the public lecture that will be taking place at the Eduardo Mondlane University on 12 June. In closing\u00a0Senior Managing Director of FDC<\/em>\u00a0Dr Diogo Milagre said the Summit should be seen as the beginning of something powerful: \u201cAs we close, let us not see today as an end, but as a springboard. The work ahead is immense, but with the partnerships formed here today \u2014 we are equipped. We are energised. And we are ready.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

    \"\"<\/p>\r\n

    As the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust prepares to expand its Network launches into Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania, the partnership with STIMA and the lessons shared at the Summit set a compelling precedent for how the private, public and civic organisations can lead with purpose and promote gender-equitable energy futures across the continent.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    \u201cGod did not make a mistake by enriching Africa with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3560,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3561,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1\/revisions\/3561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/office-of-the-founder\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}