The National Energy Fund of Mozambique (FUNAE) has launched a public tender for the construction of a solar panel factory in Maputo. Only Indian companies are eligible since the funding for the $13 million facility would derive from the ExIm Bank of India.
Interested Indian companies must submit proposals by November 7, meeting criteria like having a minimum net worth of $30 million, an annual turnover of $100 million, and operational in Africa for at least five years with a minimum of three years experience in Mozambique.
The operation of the plant is expected to cost between $5 million and $6 million annually with the construction phase creating 700 temporary jobs and 70 permanent jobs.
One prospect could be Indian powerhouse Tata Group, which partnered with BP to launch Tata BP Solar. Tata has a subsidiary in Mozambique, and this could provide an opportunity to expand its solar operations into Africa.
It is surprising that the ExIm Bank of India is offering more money to the southern African country, which typically holds Brazilian and Portuguese interest based on colonial ties. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Indian population in Mozambique constitutes less than 0.08%. However, this is just another indicator of India’s drive to conquer African markets.
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