BACKGROUND

In 2018, Mozambican leaders amended the Constitution and legal framework to progressively decentralize provincial and district governance. While progress has been made in giving more autonomy to subnational government offices, significant challenges remain, including:  

  • lack of clarity and alignment of the legal authorities of national, provincial, district and municipal government offices, 
  • low capacity in public financial management and tax revenue collection processes,
  • ineffective service delivery systems, and 
  • weak mechanisms of accountability to citizens and communities.

USAID sees an opportunity to partner with local governments as Mozambique works to fully implement decentralization reforms and improve local public services and governance effectiveness, transparency and accountability to local citizens.      

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

USAID LOGOS provides technical assistance, training, and support to targeted subnational government offices to take more effective control of governance. The program will also engage with communities to empower them to seek improved access to quality services, and increased transparency and accountability from their local governments. Activities will: 

  • promote greater understanding of roles and responsibilities in the decentralized and deconcentrated entities.
  • strengthen strategic development planning responsive to local priorities.
  • strengthen public financial management systems and capacities
  • expand mobilization of central and own-source resources.
  • improve accountability mechanisms for primary health care, primary education, and WASH services.
  • increase small holder farmers’ access to land and agricultural products and services.
  • support reforms for an improved local business environment.

EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTS

Support to targeted provincial, districts and municipal governments in Nampula, Zambézia and Cabo Delgado will result in:

  • Economic governance strengthened.
  • Service delivery of primary health, education and WASH improved.
  • Broad-based, resilient economic growth accelerated.